You and your mat are all you need for a great workout.
When you hear Pilates, what comes to your mind? If it’s a complicated-looking machine, aka the reformer, or plenty of accessories and straps, we get it. Reformer Pilates is exciting and attention-grabbing, as well as an incredible workout. But whether you’re a reformer Pilates devotee who can’t imagine a workout without one or if you’re someone who can’t see yourself getting over the intimidation factor of those machines and getting to a Pilates class, we’d love to open your mind to another option. Mat Pilates, the grounded, bodyweight cousin of reformer Pilates, is a spectacular workout in its own right, and one we’re thrilled to offer at our studios. If you’re wondering if mat Pilates is the right workout for you, here are five reasons we think it might be a great fit.
It’s a class that meets you where you are
Have you ever stepped into a new experience, whether it be a workout class, a work meeting, or a school presentation, and realized you’re totally in over your head? You might be able to get to this level someday, but that day is very, very far from today. At Oxygen Yoga & Fitness, it’s important to us that you know you never have to feel that way in our classes. All our classes are designed to meet you wherever you are in your fitness journey. Mat Pilates also aligns perfectly with this philosophy. Mat Pilates is a “low-impact exercise modality that’s accessible,” as shared by wellness writer Michele Ross. Exercises can be simplified or intensified to meet you where you are, all with the help of our wonderful instructors.
It helps you ground yourself
Much like one of Oxygen Yoga & Fitness’ long-time favorite offerings – yoga, our new Pilates classes offer not only physical but also mental health benefits. Studies have suggested a decrease in both depression and anxiety symptoms after practising Pilates, as well as a “statistically large” increase in energy and reduction in fatigue. More metaphorically speaking, there’s also something that just feels nice about working out with your feet or even full body planted onto the ground that can help get you out of your head and into your body.
You can fit in a mini-session anywhere
We won’t lie. We wish you could join us in the studio for all of your workouts. We love having your shining smiles and joyful presence fill our studios. But we know, life gets hectic. Maybe you’re out of town. Maybe you’re having a wild week at work and there’s just no way you can slip away for a whole our to take a workout class. Building a knowledge and practice of mat Pilates is great because it’s a workout you can take on the go. If you want to squeeze in a twenty-minute workout between meetings, or even commit to a more regular repetition of that difficult exercise that’s been plaguing you, all you need to do is roll out your mat, get warmed up, and get started.
You can workout your whole body
Contrary to some preconceived notions, you don’t need any fancy weights on contraptions in order to get a good workout in. Bodyweight exercises actually have many benefits, like improving your functional fitness and building strength and flexibility in ways that mimic and therefore assist in your every day movements. Studies have suggested you don’t even have to do a ton of bodyweight exercises to see a benefit. And unlike machines that are designed with specific muscles in mind, on the mat, the world is your oyster. If you have an area of your body you are hoping to focus in on, or if you’d just like to get your whole body worked out at once, feel free to chat with one of our instructors about what exercise you can best do to accomplish this.
You don’t need anything but yourself
Don’t get us wrong, working out with machines and weights definitely has its time and place. We love reformer Pilates and our classes that use weights as much as the next person! But if you find the thought of picking up a weight intimidating or simply want to give something else a try, in a well designed body weight class like mat pilates you can make an incredible impact on your fitness journey. As Harvard Health explains, body weight exercises have plenty of benefits, the biggest being found in aerobic capacity, muscle endurance, and lower-body power. Working out with your bodyweight helps us increase flexibility and mobility, as shared by Nike.
If you take a minute to think about it, you might even find it empowering to realize the only thing you need to build the strength and flexibility you want.
If you want to give mat Pilates a go for yourself, find a class at a studio near you. We look forward to welcoming you to the mat soon!