Welcome to Pilates Central!
FAQ's
Do you have a question? We have answers! Well, we at least have answers to the questions we anticipate you having. Look through the list of questions below and click on the question that matches yours. However, If you have a question that is not listed below send us an e-mail here and we will do our best to give you an answer as soon as we can.
Why should I take private sessions?
How Many Times Per Week Should I Do Pilates?
How Quickly Will I See Results?
What is the Difference Between Pilates Mat and Equipment Sessions?
Will I get the same results with a mat as with a reformer/equipment workout?
Will Pilates help my back pain?
What is the Difference Between Pilates and Weight Training?
How does Pilates compare to yoga?
Do I need to be fit to start Pilates?
When choosing where to practice Pilates there are several things to take into consideration.
First, instructor certification. Your intructor should have completed a comprehensive training program, not just a weekend mat course.
Second, look at class size. The larger the class, the less personal attention for you.
Third, how much time does your instructor teach each week. The more bodies an instructor sees in a small setting the more experience they will have to give to you.
At Pilates Central, all teachers have completed advanced level certification and our class size is limited to 5-8 people per class.
Here’s how to tell if your instructor is teaching Pilates the way it’s meant to be taught:
- The instruction focuses on precision of movement and how to engage specific muscles.
- You are doing no more than 3 to 10 repetitions of any one exercise.
- You are concentrating on your breathing at all times.
- You are continually focusing on the quality of your movements, rather than the number of repetitions.
- You are focusing on the 6 Pilates principles:
- Breathing
- Centering
- Control
- Concentration
- Precision
- Flow
Why should I take private sessions?
Pilates is unlike any other form of exercise, especially in its demands on the abdominals. Even those who are fit are often surprised at the initial effort it takes to correctly perform Pilates moves. Results are dependent on the individual's ability to efficiently recruit certain muscle groups with precise alignment. While the instructor in a group format will make every effort to provide individual attention to each class participant, privates or semi-privates afford our instructors the chance to focus specifically on the student's unique strengths and weaknesses to better maximize their potential.
It is helpful for our instructors if you wear comfortable yet form-fitting exercise clothes. That way we can make sure you are performing the exercises in the proper alignment. Please don't wear loose or "short" shorts as many of the exercises are done with your legs open and elevated. You may exercise in either your bare feet or stocking feet.
How Many Times Per Week Should I Do Pilates?
We encourage that you do Pilates on a regular basis, as clients who do it most frequently notice the results the fastest. We recommend doing Pilates two to three times a week. At the same time we recognize that your life is busy and that a one session a week is better than none.
Many of our client mix classes and Privates for the opportunity to work on the other apparatus.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
Joseph Pilates said "you'll feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 and have a whole new body in 30 sessions." Most of our clients have found this to be true and many start seeing results right away. Perhaps more important, our clients feel better which keeps them coming back for more. Pilates helps to relieve chronic back pain, knee and joint pain.
What is the Difference Between Pilates Mat and Equipment Sessions?
Mat work is just one component of the whole system of exercises that Pilates Central offers. When you do Pilates on the Mat, you must support your body weight through the movements. Mat work is a great way to make sure you really understand your body and the principles of Pilates.
When you work out on equipment such as the Reformer, your movements and the weight of your body are supported by the carriage as well as by a system springs. The specially designed springs help tailor the degree of difficulty. The equipment can simplify Pilates concepts for beginners as well as provide unique challenges as you become stronger and more flexible allowing for a greater array of movements and positions.
The Reformer is the main piece of apparatus used in Pilates exercise. The Reformer glides forward & backward on rollers and uses springs for resistance, along with other attachments, for a wide variety of exercises and positions (i.e. lying down, kneeling, seated & standing.)
Will I get the same results with a mat as with a reformer/equipment workout?
Mat-based workouts are very convenient and they can be done anywhere. However, a mat workout will provide no added resistance. A Reformer workout will add resistance to your routine and can correct muscular imbalances better than a mat routine would.
Will Pilates help my back pain?
Although you should always consult your physician before starting any fitness routine, a Pilates workout is gentle and controlled with no sudden jarring actions. Pilates focus on abdominal strength, flexibility, and posture lends itself well to those with back pain. However, these principles can be difficult to learn in a group setting, especially for those who may require specific modifications to avoid re-injury or aggravation of symptoms. We recommend that all clients with a history of back pain, especially if it is ongoing, take a private session before participating in the mat class. This allows us to evaluate your abilities and make recommendations to improve the safety of each exercise.
What is the Difference Between Pilates and Weight Training?
Pilates strengthens AND stretches muscles (unlike weight training) and improves body posture and awareness. Pilates typically incorporates more muscles in one exercise than in weight training because it is three-dimensional—exercises can be performed using all movement planes. Pilates’ emphasis is on rebalancing muscles around the joints, and balancing strength with flexibility. It also focuses on concentric-eccentric contraction for injury prevention and corrects over-training and muscle imbalance that leads to injury.
How does Pilates compare to yoga?
In some respects, Pilates conditioning is like yoga. Both are considered mind-body type methods of movement; both emphasize deep breathing and smooth, long movements that encourage your muscles to relax and lengthen. The difference is that while yoga requires moving from one static posture to the next without repetitions, Pilates flows through a series of movements that are more dynamic, systematic and anatomically based. The goal with Pilates is to achieve optimal functional fitness.
Pilates is a wonderful program weather you are engaged in a weight loss programor not. You will learn to activate and move your body safely utilizing your muscles rather than your joints and will be better able to engage in other physical fitness activities. And, Pilates Central works to create a warm and welcoming environment that can be far less intimidating than some gyms.
Remember: Pilates was created by a man and was later adapted for women! Men generally have less flexibility and a greater degree of upper body strength than women. Pilates helps to create longer muscles that are more agile, as well as strengthen the core and lower body. At Pilates Central, our male clientele is fast growing. From CEO's and athletes to men recovering from injuries or punishing exercise habits, Pilates helps both men and women retrain and re-strengthen the body for optimum performance. According to USA Today, male athletes are using Pilates to increase performance.
Do I need to be fit to start Pilates?
Pilates offers something for people at any fitness level. The classes are organized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts that our instructors can tailor to any individual.
