I’ve never been one for any kind of sporting activities. I’d take a trip to the dentist over one to the gym, and while I’ve always found laughing to be my favourite form of aerobics (post-COVID, let’s take a little trip back), all of that was about to change. I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen since forever. Post-COVID, most of us were emerging reluctantly, rarely, and definitely not at our most attractive, whereas she had blossomed into a lean, long-limbed, glowing-skinned nymph. She credited her look to her Pilates regimen, with a three-day plant-based diet thrown in for good measure! (I honestly wanted to roll my eyeballs at her and say, if the plant is Agave, then count me in!!!) But I didn’t. I listened; thankfully!
“Stress relief; long, lean muscles; improved flexibility; a strong core. The health benefits of Pilates are incredible. While both yoga and Pilates focus on breath work and a slow, controlled pace, it’s no wonder they’re seemingly similar, but at their core, they are completely unrelated,” she said.
“Really?” I asked, somewhat disbelievingly.
“Oh, absolutely,” she replied, tying her hair into a ponytail so her incredible skin was more in focus.
“One is a holistic discipline originating from ancient India, the other a specific physical system devised by a German anatomist in the early 20th century. But there’s much crossover, and therein lies the confusion, between them.”
After researching Vogue (aka the oracle) and sighing over all the beautiful things that I can’t buy, I moved my search to Instagram to see how many celebs were doing Pilates
With waves of envy, a bit of ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about’ coming off me, and a greasy Chinese roll visibly peeking out of my handbag, I hastily said my goodbyes and immediately googled Pilates and started doing my research.
When it comes to exercise, my thought process is similar to that of most men when it comes to fashion! When it comes to fashion, men just don’t self-harm the way women do. Guys would never totter around in torturous stilettos or brave leering and comments in backless, strapless sheaths. I doubt any teenage boy ever lay down on his bedroom floor as his best friends yanked up the zipper of his skin-tight jeans with a coat hanger, often performing an impromptu appendectomy en route? That’s how I felt about exercise, but I steeled my nerves and started to look into this whole Pilates thing.
Khloe Kardashian
What is Pilates?
Pilates focuses on muscle toning and body control, with an emphasis on your core and alignment. “Joseph Pilates, a German anatomist, created this system of exercise in the early 20th century to strengthen, stretch and create balance in the body. The biggest difference between the two is that Pilates uses specially designed apparatus to challenge the body and provide support when needed.” The reformer machine, which is fitted with straps, springs and a sliding carriage, is perhaps the most well-known.
Vogue
After researching Vogue (aka the oracle) and sighing over all the beautiful things that I can’t buy, I moved my search to Instagram to see how many celebs were doing Pilates.
Looking at Kate Hudson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kourtney Kardashian, and Lena Perminova, who all swear by their practices, I was depressed and ordered more Chinese rolls.
I wasn’t a true novice to Pilates. My first foray into it was with a dear friend in London. We had a private session, and it was fabulous, but I couldn’t walk for a week afterwards! Instead of gliding into those snooty designer stores with the self-assured confidence that makes sales assistants bend over backwards, I hobbled in like an old wretch and was completely ignored.
But I decided to give the modern-day rack (as I used to refer to the Pilates reformer machine) another go.
Reformer Pilates offers benefits that transcend mere physical appearance. One significant advantage is its ability to challenge the body in unique ways that go beyond everyday movements. By practicing Pilates, I found that I was becoming increasingly aware of my body’s alignment and posture, allowing me to correct imbalances that may have gone unnoticed.
Jennifer Aniston
Breath is a fundamental principle within Pilates, yet many practitioners fall into the common trap of holding their breath. In reformer Pilates, breath is synchronized with movement, promoting relaxation and focus. Not only does proper breathing lower blood pressure, but it also helps shift your attention from the mind to the body, engaging deeper abdominal muscles effectively. The philosophy behind Pilates emphasizes building a strong core, or “powerhouse” before expanding your movements outward, ensuring that you develop a solid foundation for strength and stability.
One of the most appealing aspects of reformer Pilates is its universal accessibility. According to an expert instructor, “Pilates is for anybody and everybody. The reformer doesn’t discriminate; it’s designed to assist everyone from rehab clients needing spring support, to those who sit for long periods, pro athletes, or individuals on pre- or postnatal fitness journeys.” Reformer Pilates complements all lifestyles, making it an ideal addition to any fitness regimen. Or in my case, the only regimen!
Alignment is so critical to Pilates that nothing beats a session with an experienced instructor and a great set of eyes to help guide you through the movements, which, thankfully, Barressential offers. They have mat and reformer classes, and you can also do online sessions if that works better for you. Their new client offers cushion the blow of actually leaving your couch, and signing up to their classes was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
Four years in and countless Chinese rolls ditched, I’ve never felt better.
Miley Cyrus
Kim Kardashian
