Five Essential Issues to Address When Considering Pilates

1. Is Pilates right for me?
The low impact nature of the Pilates workout, coupled with its emphasis on the quality of movement (rather than endless repetitions to the point of fatigue), makes Pilates perfect for any age, body type or fitness level. If you have chronic pain or are rehabbing from an injury or surgery, private sessions, at least initially, are advised; likewise, we offer Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy to augment your Pilates sessions, and accelerate your road to recovery.

2. What is the best way to get started with Pilates?
Pilates requires a through understanding of its foundation principles before moving onto a flowing “workout” class. However, most studios or gyms will put Pilates newcomers directly into a “workout” class, with way too many students of varying levels of ability. What you have is, at best, a very poor learning experience; at worst, an unsafe situation. Pilates requires a through understanding of the foundation principles before moving onto a flowing workout class.
       That’s why you will begin your training at the PCA in a small class environment (6-10 participants) with only beginning students, participating in both Mat and Reformer (the focal piece of Pilates equipment) classes.
      You'll start your training with a Beginning Pilates I Series (Class or Private session), where you’ll first learn the basic building block principles of the Pilates method. From there, you will move onto Beginning Pilates II, where you’ll deepen your execution of the core foundation principles as they relate to the Basic exercise repertoire. With these 2 Beginning Series, you will now be very well prepared to move on into our Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Workout Flow classes and sessions.

3. How often should I workout?
The benefits you can achieve with Pilates are no less than profound. Core Strength…Toning & Sculpting… Flexibility…Postural Alignment…Stamina…Long, lean, muscle…Relief of Chronic Back, Neck and Joint Pain… Its no wonder fitness experts are hailing Pilates as the “Perfect Workout”.
       To best realize these benefits, it is very important that a newcomer exercise under trained supervision for a minimum of 2-3 times a week in the formative stages. Allow yourself 12 weeks for the reprogramming of your muscle movement to take effect.

4. If I have been working out with a Pilates video, do I need to start at the Beginning Level?
Yes. The good news about Pilates videos is that they introduce many people to Pilates. However, because there is no interactive guidance from someone with a trained eye, it is difficult, if not impossible, for one to correct themselves, and thus develop proper form … which is essential if one is to realize the true benefits of Pilates.

5. A Pilates Trainer is a Pilates Trainer is a Pilates Trainer … NOT!
Pilates is so much more than just a fitness craze…and it's sweeping the nation. That’s the good… and sometimes, the not-so-good…news. Because, with this massive popularity, has also come many who, with little or no training, claim they teach Pilates.
      The Pilates Method Alliance stipulates a minimum of 400 credit hours in a recognized Certification Program before one is considered a comprehensively trained instructor. With an 800 credit hour certification program, the Pilates Center of Austin’s trainers are some of the most extensively trained in the country. Compare this with some teaching certificates that are now available with as little as 6 hours of training! Pilates can produce profound results if you choose wisely!