The best way to become a star Pilates pupil—whether you’re a beginner or pro—is to implement a daily athome routine.
THE WORD MAY STILL DREDGE UP SCHOOL NIGHT MEMORIES OF TORTUROUS MATH PROBLEMS AND ENDLESS BUSY WORK . But when it comes to Pilates, homework has far more pleasurable payoffs–including a stronger, shapelier body and increased mastery of the method.
By revisiting and reinforcing key movements and skills, homework deepens the Pilates connection. While personal workout techniques and actual exercises can vary, the unifying theme is consistency. Here, six experienced teachers share their approaches to homework with a big payoff.
STREAM QUEEN
ASHLEY BENSON, owner of Ashley Benson Fitness in Nashville, TN
HER PERSONAL HOME WORK : As often as possible, I do Pilates Anytime classes at my house. I get a good workout and can choose different time lengths, intensity levels and whether to use props or not. One of my new favorites is Carrie Pages, who I started following on Instagram before she recently became a Pilates Anytime instructor. I also stream Kristi Cooper’s Reformer Workout (Class 2032). Sadly I don’t have a Reformer at home, so I mimic the moves with the Tye4, a harness with straps that connect to your hands and feet.
WHAT SHE ASSIGNS HER CLIENTS: I generally give my clients 30 minutes or less of homework because everybody is so busy. I have a workout on YouTube called Morning Routine. I like my clients to do that because it wakes up the back muscles, releases the chest and shoulders so that the posture is set and wakes up the glutes. I also suggest Pilates Anytime classes that are suited to their individual needs–usually a mat workout; Class 2808, Standing Workout with Marika Molnar, is an osteoporosis-safe class that’s good for my older clientele.
MUST-HAVE GEAR:
This story is from the May - June 2017 edition of Pilates Style.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May - June 2017 edition of Pilates Style.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Finding New Momentum
Overcoming obstacles caused by the pandemic, the virtual version of this popular festival still achieved its goals.
Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey
In his authoritative biography of the first woman to open a studio, Reiner Grootenhuis delved into her personal papers to tell the harrowing story of her time in a prison camp during World War II.
Racism in the Pilates Industry
Incidents of police brutality and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shed a bright light on systemic racism in the U.S., including in the Pilates industry. Here, Black instructors share their experiences.
For Self-defense
Moves of the Month
Comfort Food Made Healthy
This fall, cozy up to tantalizing comfort food that’s also healthy. A new cookbook from Kristin Cavallari shows you how.
Pilates Postcard
A Pilates teacher shares how the method is making waves abroad.
The Ultimate Gift
One year ago, Kahley Schiller’s life was completely upended by an extreme health crisis. But thanks to her 20-year Pilates practice, the 40-year-old was able to recover quickly.
Revelations
For Sarita Allen, a star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a protégée of Kathleen Stanford Grant, Pilates was key to her decades-long career.
Meaning WITHIN THE Movement
The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine help you go deeper into your practice, promising plenty of play along the way.
PILATES IN THE HOOD
Though she’s trained many top stars, Kim Carruthers says she’s most proud of her work as the founder and director of a nonprofit bringing the method to underserved communities.
