Title: My Two-Week Pilates Challenge: A Journey to Strength and Empowerment
When I embarked on a two-week challenge of doing Pilates every day, I had preconceived notions of it being a luxury reserved for the elite. Little did I know that this low-impact workout would soon become a transformative experience, especially during the dreary winter days in London.
Pilates, originally developed by Joseph Pilates during World War One as a means of rehabilitation and strength-building, has since evolved into a widely practiced exercise regime. Armed with this knowledge, I dove into my experiment eager to see if the promised benefits of core strength, improved posture, and muscle sculpting would ring true.
Over the course of two weeks, I followed a varied routine of Pilates workouts, ranging from full-body sessions to targeted exercises for abs and glutes. Each day presented a new challenge, with instructors like Nicole McPherson and Chiara Bercuti guiding me through movements that tested my endurance and flexibility.
As I progressed through the challenge, I found myself drawn to the precise and controlled nature of Pilates, relishing the way it engaged my muscles in ways I hadn’t experienced before. The emphasis on concentration, control, and breathing brought a sense of mindfulness to my workouts, making each session not just physically rewarding but mentally rejuvenating as well.
By the end of the two weeks, I had not only strengthened my body but also discovered a newfound sense of empowerment. Pilates had become more than just a workout routine; it had become a journey of self-discovery and growth.
So, if you’re like me, skeptical of the hype surrounding Pilates, I urge you to give it a try. You may be surprised at the profound impact it can have on both your body and mind.
In just two and a half minutes, I could feel my core engaging and activating right from the start. No post-workout giggles here, thank you very much. Wednesday kicked off with a 14-minute total body workout courtesy of Blogilates, led by the one and only Cassey Ho, the online Pilates sensation with a whopping 7.6 million subscribers. Her workouts, streamed regularly, are as sweat-inducing as they are popular. This was my first time diving into her routines, and I was pumped. Ho guided us through rhythmic exercises synced with the music, making the session fun, fast-paced, and easy to get lost in. My abs were definitely feeling it afterwards, but hey, it was only day three – no time for complaints. Instead, I opted for a soothing soak in an Epsom salt bath to ease the soreness. Onwards to Thursday’s 46-minute full-body sculpt session. A longer workout was a welcome change, offering a chance to really sink into the exercises for a good chunk of time. Pip Tunstall led the class, introducing me to new moves and working every major muscle group to exhaustion. Lunges, bird dogs, and push-ups – all intensified by minimal rest breaks. I found myself exclaiming, ‘That was exhilarating!’ after nailing my first set of Pilates push-ups. Friday wrapped up with a 13-minute core burner class led by Melisa at Frame. It was no walk in the park, with reverse plank leg lifts challenging my core, arms, and glutes. I emerged feeling like a jelly mold. Come Saturday, I tackled an 18-minute quickie booty workout with Bala ankle weights, enduring the burn through lateral lifts, donkey kicks, and extensions. My bum was definitely feeling the heat. Sunday morning called for a serene Pilates session with MickiPhit, a staple in my Instagram workout collection. It struck the perfect balance of challenge and ease. Monday marked a 30-minute full-body Pilates workout to kickstart the week. With eight days of Pilates under my belt, I was getting into the groove but also feeling the soreness. The Move with Nicole routine featured back-relieving cat/cows, lower body-scorching squat pulses, and glute-firing bridge holds. As the saying goes, it did exactly what it promised – a full-body workout that left me feeling accomplished.
Tuesday’s workout focused on the glutes and abs for 32 minutes. The day began with a challenging Fly Ldn session that incorporated ankle weights to push through dynamic plank movements and glute-isolating exercises. While not necessarily enjoyable, the workout was effective in targeting hard-to-reach muscles. On Wednesday, a 30-minute Dynamic Pilates session with Lottie Murphy provided a balance of strength and flexibility training. Thursday’s intermediate full-body workout, part of a body-taxing challenge, featured a class by Aditi Shah that included plank holds and glute bridges. Friday’s session, a beginner full-body workout with Hannah Corbin, required a reset after a challenging week. Saturday’s Pilates session with weights led by PT Isa Welly introduced a new level of intensity with exercises like renegade rows and weighted sit-ups. The week concluded on Sunday with a quick core workout by Hollie Grant, focusing on controlled movements and expert guidance. Reflecting on the two-week Pilates journey, three key takeaways emerged: Pilates is not an easy workout, it requires strength and control, and the slow, controlled nature of the movements enhances the effectiveness of the workout.
Pilates offers unparalleled benefits. Whether you’re new to the practice or a seasoned pro, the sessions provide a challenging workout experience. Many exercises focus on strengthening the core, including the pelvic floor and all abdominal muscles. Throughout the sessions, you’ll encounter familiar moves like planks, glute bridges, single-leg isolations, crunches, and table-top movements.
A strong core is crucial for any fitness regimen, whether you’re lifting weights, doing HIIT workouts, or engaging in other exercises. Pilates effectively targets and strengthens the core, leading to increased stability and improved performance in various activities. After just two weeks of Pilates, I feel more confident and capable in my workouts.
As a newfound Pilates enthusiast, I highly recommend incorporating 2-3 Pilates sessions into your weekly routine for a balanced fitness regimen. Remember, variety is key, so feel free to explore other activities as well.
