Practicing Pilates at Home

Pilates, once the exercise of choice for celebrities and professional athletes, has officially entered the mainstream, and it looks like this popular practice is here to stay. It used to be that in order to practice pilates you had to be a member of exclusive clubs or frequent high-end resorts. Pilates was once only practice via big, heavy and complex-looking machines that were only available in elite health clubs. But now pilates is available to just about anyone. Although most pilates experts agree that there is no substitute for professional guidance, it is possible to get a quality pilates workout in the comfort of your own home. What changed all of this? Part of the democratization of pilates is the advent and surging popularity of mat work. Pilates mat workouts are the overwhelming favorite in pilates studios all across the world. But why are mat workouts so popular? A great deal of their popularity has to do with the accessibility of pilates mat workouts. Pilates mat workouts require only a minimal amount of space and allows you to practice pilates just about anywhere you can roll out your mat comfortably. Pilates mat workouts are also quite inexpensive. They don't require the use of expensive machinery and are quite functional.

If you decide to being a home pilates workout, begin by searching for a good video program. The current popularity of pilates means that the video market has been flooded with hundreds of options. How to go about sorting all these videos out? Begin by doing an online search for pilates videos. Read the reviews and see what others are saying about them. Ask friends for recommendations. If possible, you can even rent a pilates video before investing in a video series. Before you begin your at-home pilates training, most experts agree that it is a good idea to register for one or two classes at your local pilates studio. Although pilates appears to be gentle and relatively easy, it can often be quite challenging for beginners because it forces your body to move in ways it is not accustomed to. It's a good idea to learn the basics from an experienced pilates instructor who can guide your motions and make sure your body is aligned properly. Once you have the basics down, you can move on to your own independent study of pilates practice.

If you find that you enjoy your mat work and would like to progress to something a bit more challenging, consider investing in some home pilates equipment. By far the most popular piece is the Reformer. Reformers are popular pilates equipment pieces that use a system of springs and ropes that allow the user to move through a series of pilates movements. The Reformer can be adjusted depending on the user's fitness level. If you have the means, space, and most importantly, the commitment, the Reformer can be a valuable addition to your pilates practice. Whatever equipment you choose or don't choose to use, practicing pilates at home on a regular basis can provide you with numerous health benefits that can fill your life with a sense of health and well being.