I either hear “MAT Pilates is easy, I want to take a Reformer class” or “MAT Pilates is too hard for me!” We obviously need to clarify what MAT Pilates is all about!
Pilates as a whole is never too easy or too hard if you are connecting your mind, body and breathe together to do the movement. Yes, there may be some movements that are easier for you and harder for others depending on what’s going on with your body. Remember that the reformer, tower, chair and other apparatus are amazing and fancy pieces of equipment that provide you with resistance but they also assist you in a lot of areas. Give your body a different challenge without the assistance of the straps or springs!
MAT Pilates requires only one thing, yourself! It is great because you can take home what you learn in class without needing any of the fancy equipment. A lot of the MAT work exercises are original Joseph Pilates moves, the founder of Contrology or better known as Pilates! Joseph Pilates was a pioneer in his time. He believed that mental and physical health are interconnected and that eating healthy and getting sufficient sleep were essential for overall health. It feels kinda’ nice kickin’ it old school with JP! Some of those more classical Pilates exercises require you to work hard to stabilize your core, lengthen those muscles and control your pelvis. Oh yes, and don’t forget to breathe!
You will be in for an exercise routine that tones, strengthens, boosts mental health, improves posture, increases flexibility and focuses on your powerhouse – you know those really important muscles like your abs, pelvic floor musculature, hips and glutes. Remember, a strong core helps ward off back pain and makes daily chores more doable. A strong core is a must and not just for athletes! For parents picking up their kids, runners, golfers and those who sit at a desk or in their car for long periods of time. When your core is strong, it serves as the center of power so your limbs don’t have to bear as much of the brunt of movement. Studies show that Pilates is effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with back pain. How amazing is Pilates?! We can tell you stories of how Pilates saved numerous people from having to have back surgery.
Don’t be intimidated by the classical MAT Pilates repertoire, At Firehaus Pilates we may switch it up and start with a different warm up then “the hundred” and end with some nice fluid, feel good movement that relax the nervous system. We will always keep the movements appropriate for your body and skill level while still providing you with a challenging workout. Thanks to the balance, focus and strength work in Pilates, you will always leave the MAT feeling strong, energized and de-stressed. Amen to that!
So, if you have you been layin’ all comfy on the Reformer, get yourself into a MAT class and see where that body weight work is at! It takes a lot of control and strength but remember that Pilates of any type is for Every-BODY. Just as we modify movements on the reformer or tower, we also modify on the MAT! I challenge you to take 1 MAT class per week for 1 month and feel the difference in your body, mind and bootay!
We offer a MAT Class every Wednesday night at 7pm – For March MATness we are offering a 4 Pack of MAT Classes for $50.00. We encourage you to use them consecutively!
Home Work! Please feel free to take this exercise home with you along with anything else you learn in our classes!
The most commonly known Pilates MAT exercises is The Hundred:
Start lying on your back.
- Bend your knees so the feet are flat on the floor. Place your arms straight beside your torso with palms facing down.
- Take a breath in and on the exhale draw your navel into your spine (narrowing your waist as if you were wearing a corset). Then slowly bring your legs up to a tabletop position (lift one leg at a time keeping your abdominals engaged, the knees will be bent at a 90-degree angle and form a 90 degrees angle with your hip joint).
- Reaching with your arms, nod your chin and curl your torso to bring your head and neck off the floor. Beginning pumping your arms at your sides. Inhale for 5 beats, Exhale for 5 beats. Repeat this 10 times.
- To advance the exercise – extend your legs to a straight leg position.
Special considerations:
- Neck pain – Don’t work through it! You can perform all or part of the repetitions with the head on the MAT.
- Back pain – This is an indication that there is too much load on your abdominals (i.e. they aren’t strong enough yet). Make the position smaller: If your legs are straight, put them in tabletop; If your legs are in tabletop, place the feet on the floor.
As with anything new, it’s a great idea to understand why you’re doing it! Before you visit the studio, think about what you’d like to get out of Pilates. Is it all physical fitness? Is there some rehabilitation you need? Are you stressed and fed up with other aspects of life? Are you looking for a new challenge? Take some time to think about or jot down goals you might have and talk to your instructor, especially if you’ve booked personalized training.
Whether you’ve signed up for a Pilates class, a Reformer class or are just starting individual instruction, don’t worry about what other people are doing! At Firehaus Pilates, we cater to every type of fitness level. We have clients who attend regularly and undertake advanced Pilates exercises right next to beginners who are just getting started. You’ve made the right first step to get moving with Pilates, and that’s what matters most!
In all Pilates workouts, there is focus on breath work, posture, and building a strong core. These staples make Pilates one of the most popular workouts because this approach delivers results. Clients will find, however, that different types of Pilates will work different muscle groups in unique ways.
As with all exercise programs, you might find yourself working out but not seeing the results. It’s natural for our fitness levels to plateau when we’re focused on a single exercise routine. Feeling stagnated or frustrated with your fitness is a great time to shake things up!
Reformer Pilates: Using the unique Pilates Reformer exercise routine, this form of Pilates is most often undertaken in the Pilates studio environment under trained instruction. Reformer Pilates offers a much broader array of exercises and is available to almost every person and fitness level. This Pilates regime can accommodate many different fitness goals, including rehabilitation, using the versatile Reformer exercise machine.
Looking to increase your heart rate and get the blood pumping? Most forms of yoga offer little cardiovascular benefit and focus, instead, on a calming pose or stretch. Power yoga, a form of yoga that moves quicker between poses, is a closer form of cardio.