7 things to consider before doing Pilates at home

With the emergence of YouTube, Amazon and online video, it’s easier than ever to get instruction on just about anything from the comfort of home.

Video instruction is the perfect solution for some things, but when it comes to physical exercise it’s crucial to have good form in order to avoid injury. Creating bad habits in the body can do long term damage and take time to correct down the road. I will often meet people or acquire new clients who do, or have done, Pilates at home with a video or using online tutorials. While I fully appreciate that this might be the only option for some people, here are seven things to consider before taking your Pilates routine into your home gym:

1. Master the breath before moving on to a more advanced routine. The breath is key in maximizing any form of exercise you do. In Pilates we use dynamic, deep, full breathing patterns to power our bodies from the inside out. Knowing how to take a full, deep breath is a great life skill that will transcend beyond just your exercise routine.

2. Focus on precision. Precision is one of the fundamental principles of Pilates. The detail involved in each and every movement is essential in getting the most out of your workout. Take the time to fine tune your form. Move slowly with grace and ease.

3. Do some research on your videos before buying. Find a video that has a comprehensive, visual and instructional format. Find an instructor whose teaching style resonates with how you learn.

4. Watch all the safety instructions before beginning your workout. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you know it all already. Deep musculature feels different. Intrinsic muscles won’t give you the same feedback as your superficial muscles, Take the time to get to know those differences in your own body.

5. Acknowledge your fitness level and your age. Find the appropriate video for your fitness level. If you’ve never done Pilates before, start at the beginning with an introduction to Pilates. Take the time to learn the how’s and why’s of what your doing.

6. Listen to your body. If something hurts – don’t do it. You should never feel pain when you are doing Pilates. Look for, feel for, and listen to modifications that are appropriate for your body.

7. Have your form assessed and corrected from time to time. Once faulty movement patterns are set in place, they’re hard to break. Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect, it cements what you’re already doing. If it is within your budget and you have the time, do a private session from time to time with an experienced and qualified Pilates instructor to continue taking your practice to new levels.

One of the many things I love about Pilates is that the learning never stops. I have been teaching Pilates for 15 years and I’m still learning everyday – from my students; from my teachings; and from my peers. And if I’m not learning, that’s a good indicator for me that I’m missing something essential to my growth as an ever evolving teacher.

If you have experiences with doing exercise DVDs, I’d love to hear about your successes and/or failures in the comments!