First Pilates Session?
- Carissa
- Nov 18, 2017
- 4 min read
Updated: May 21, 2018
Feel more confident the first time you walk into the studio with these 6 tips!
Welcome! Is your first session coming up? Congratulations! There can be a lot of unknowns when trying a new way of movement. What do I wear, or bring or eat or not eat, or say or don't say etc. It can be overwhelming but it doesn't have to be! You are in the right place! We have created an inclusive atmosphere at The Pilates Underground, bringing the newbie and advanced client alike a non judgement atmosphere that leaves you feeling successful.
“Know that no one is expecting you to be a "Pilates Pro". Be proud knowing that you are doing something amazing for your body and your spine. Keep at it and give yourself the freedom to have fun."
1. Drink Water
Bring a water bottle, drink water before your workout, during and after. Cramping is one of the most common complaints I get while teaching. While it won’t kill you, a cramp in the hamstring or foot can mean not being able to move through intended movement until it subsides. Show up hydrated, but not so full of water that you can't lay down on your stomach. No problem if you forgot your bottle, we have you covered!
2. Wear tight clothing
A walk is a great place for a big baggy t-shirt and leggings. Pilates is not. You are going to be putting your body in positions your T-shirt may not be equipped to cover you in. When your feet are over your head, or in straps, you don’t want to feel weird about your t-shirt falling to your chin, yes this has happened to me. Baggy clothing also makes it harder for your instructor to see what is going on with your body. We make it a point to get around to each client at the begging of class and throughout to make sure that everyone is in their ideal alignment, and can often see if one hip bone is even an inch lower than the other. This is so much harder if we can’t see your hips! Bottom line, where comfortably tight clothing that doesn’t hide your body but holds you in. Also, check to see if your studio requires socks. If so, make sure you have a pair of grip workout socks, or can buy a pair at the studio before class. At The Pilates Underground we require socks for safety and hygiene purposes. Come with your own or purchase a pair at the studio.
3. Check your studios policies and registration process.
Most studios require some kind of new client registration and waiver, either online or at the studio. At The Pilates Underground we have an online registration form you can fill out before you arrive, which means you don't have to worry about getting to your first session 15 minutes early. While you don't have to show up too early, it's nice not to feel rushed and to leave a few minutes to get situated, find parking for the first time, meet your instructor and get familiar with the equipment. You may need to sign in online or confirm your appointment. Also make sure to look at your studios cancellation policy. If you cannot make your session, let your studio know as soon as possible to avoid a late cancellation charge. Here at The Pilates Underground we have a generous 12-hour cancellation policy for group classes ad 24-hour cancellation policy for Private Sessions.
4. Your first workout may not make you sweat
There are a lot of layers to Pilates. Learning the basic principles is essential to beginning your Pilates practice. This can take a bit of time, usually one private session prior to joining in on group classes is highly recommended if not required for that reason. Learning the principles of Pilates may nor involve huge movements, but they are the building blocks to every other move in Pilates. If you can connect with the principles before adding complex movements, you will get so much more out of every single workout than if you just jumped right into a class. You may even progress quicker and sweat more. Be patient and watch your body change.
5. Speak Up
If something doesn’t feel right, is too much tension if you are on equipment, or you aren’t sure of what you are supposed to be doing with which muscles, ask! Your instructor is there to make sure that your workout is YOUR workout. I love that Pilates in not a set workout that everyone does exactly the same. Pilates recognizes postural differences, strengths and limitations and safely guides the body through movement designed to help YOU specifically. Don’t muscle through a movement just to do it and don’t be afraid to ask for less resistance, which often requires more abdominal work then high spring tensions anyways. All movements are effective, more or less spring tensions just change the emphasis.
6. Have Fun
There is so much to think about in Pilates. Don’t take yourself too seriously! After a few sessions, your body will be much more familiar with the movement and that is when things get really fun, to me at least. Don’t expect to do everything perfectly, especially in your first class! No one is expecting you to be a "Pilates Pro". Depending on the structure of classes at your studio, you may have some people around you have been doing Pilates for a while. They may be placed around you on purpose to help you! You can look and see what they are doing if you are unsure at first. Don’t feel like you should be able to look like they look. You may be able to, it will just take some time. Coordination heavy movements can be more mentally challenging than anything, even experienced clients mess up, laugh, and keep going. This workout is for you, so enjoy! Be proud knowing that you are doing something amazing for your body and your spine. Keep at it and give yourself the freedom to have fun.
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