Having a hard time to decide on what to wear for your Pilates class without looking boring? After all, wearing a comfortable yet stylist outfit while working out will motivate us further. No matter what exercise you are doing, you would want to look good and feel comfortable at the same time. Here are some styling tips and suggestions that we have gathered to turn the dreadful feeling of getting ready for an exercise into a fun one instead.
Knowing the colour combinations that look good together can up your outfit by a huge notch. Here are some outfit suggestions that are in trend right now! Shop at GymWearMovement to get your stash!
Having appropriate Pilates attire is important in order to get the best out of your exercise. Then you do not need to worry about clothes being in the way of your Pilates movements. In a Pilates class, we want our attire to be relatively fitting so that our posture can be easily visible by both ourselves and the instructors. This way, proper correction can be done if required. In addition, we would definitely not want the ends of our top to get caught in the springs or straps! Wearing leggings or joggers are also recommended since a lot of the movements require leg raises.
On top of having an awesome outfit, finishing up the look with extra accessories that are appropriate and relevant will be an added bonus. We suggest the following.
It is a watch and a workout partner all in one! We are spoilt for choices, get one that complements your personal style and allows you to track all type of physical activities.
You know how annoying it is to have your hair in your face as you are doing your elephants on the reformer. Keep it away with a stylish headband that complements any outfit!
c) Anti-slip Socks
Socks are a must at Pilates classes. Socks help you to absorb sweat and also provides friction on the machines. We highly recommend anti-slip toe socks for mobility and grip. You can get grip socks at $6 a pair at our studio vending machine.
d) Water Bottle
We recommend you to drink up at least 3 litres of water everyday. Carrying your bottle around with you will ensure that you drink up to 3 litres of fluid daily.
e) Fitness Gloves
For folks whose palms may get sweaty during exercise, anti-slip fitness gloves can be useful. Sweaty palms may cause unnecessary accidents while working out on the reformer. Hence, wearing anti-slip fitness glove that can not only absorb our perspiration but also to provide us with the friction for stability during class will be recommended.
Getting new Pilates attires may be part of your ritual to getting started with a regular fitness regime. If you are running out of class credits, top up your Pilates classes here.
Remember to block book your classes to clock at least 8 classes a month to earn your FREE Reformer class at our Monthly Flow Challenge!
When I first started practicing Pilates Reformer 14 years ago, I didn’t have a chance to do Jumpboard classes as they were not available in Singapore. I experienced my first Jumpboard class during my Instructor Training course.
Honestly, Jumpboard class is a godsend to peeps like me – those who dislike cardiovascular / aerobic exercises. I get to enjoy my strength training and squeeze in some cardiovascular exercise at the Jumpboard class. When I started Pilates Fitness, I ensure that we offer Cardio Jumpboard class even though it was quite expensive (as a business owner) to buy the board (couple of hundreds per board) just to conduct one class type!
To keep your heart healthy and delay the effects of aging, we need both cardiovascular and strength training. Most participants of Pilates Reformer/Chair classes love strength training and usually neglect their cardiovascular training. Attending at least one Cardio Jumpboard class a week will give you that cardio dose to keep heart diseases and stroke at bay and a healthy, glowing face.
WHATSAPP US NOW TO BOOK YOUR CLASS!Your blood circulation system is responsible for sending blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout your body. When your blood circulation is poor, you may experience symptoms such as tingling, numbness, throbbing or stinging pain in your limbs, pain or muscle cramps. If you ignore these symptoms, reduced blood flow and plaque in your arteries may result in a stroke or heart attack.
During Cardio Jumpboard class, you breathe faster and more deeply, and your heart beats faster. Your organs become more efficient at circulating oxygenated blood and nutrients to the rest of the body. You will also recover faster from your other workouts with improved blood circulation. Hence attending one Cardio Jumpboard class is a good reset to enjoying the other Pilates class types.
WHATSAPP US NOW TO BOOK YOUR CLASS!Your metabolism increase when you engage in moderate to high intensity workout. Cardio Jumpboard class not only increase your heart rate but also all the chemical processes that convert carbohydrates, proteins, and fats from your food into the energy that your cells need to function – your metabolism.
Note that if you can talk, but you cannot sing while you exercise, you are maintaining moderate intensity. If you cannot talk while exercising, then you are doing high intensity workout.
WHATSAPP US NOW TO BOOK YOUR CLASS!WHO and Singapore Health Hub recommends the following amount of physical activity based on your age:
Children and adolescents aged 5-17years
Adults aged 18–64 years
Adults aged 65 years and above
As Cardio Jumpboard combines both moderate to vigorous intensity movements and muscle strengthening exercises from head to toe in the same class, one will be able to hit two birds with one stone by attending a single Cardio Jumpboard class.
WHATSAPP US NOW TO BOOK YOUR CLASS!Cardio Jumpboard class is performed at a much faster rate than regular Pilates class. Essentially, it feels like you are skipping while lying down. As the movements are faster, you need better coordination to manage all the various movements.
We also use the Jumpboard for deep stretches for the lower half of the body as a form of warm up. Cardio Jumpboard class is an excellent choice if you have tightness in your lower back, hips and legs.
Book in your Cardio Jumpboard class today! If you are on a weight loss journey and feel that your results are plateauing, I'd suggest that you attend 3 Cardio Jumpboard classes a week for at least 2 consecutive weeks to get your system up and running at full speed again!
WHATSAPP US NOW TO BOOK YOUR CLASS!
Bob started attending Pilates classes with us in 2011 and was looking to improve his golf performance with Pilates. His key concerns were his posture, flexibility (especially in his spinal rotation), as well as core muscle strength. Renowned golfers such as Tiger Woods and David Duval have used Pilates training to improve their games! At Pilates Fitness, we help athletes such as golfers to maximize their potential by improving flexibility, stability, core strength, balance and coordination. We’re happy that Pilates has improved Bob’s posture, reduced tension in his upper back and enhanced the flexibility of his rotation while allowing him to enjoy both the joy of Golf and Pilates without any body pains!
Bob Robert Wilson Gibson
Practicing Pilates for 2 years, doing 2 sessions per week, usually 1 session of Weight Loss Pilates or Core Pilates and 1 session of Cardio Jumpboard.
1. How and why did you first get involved in Pilates?
I got involved to improve my posture and physique to play better golf. Golf is my main sport and is a big part of my lifestyle for weekends, holidays and socializing. I saw videos of myself and realized my back was arched, and I knew that wasn't a good thing. Pilates is something I had wanted to do for a long time. I live near the Pilates Fitness studio and decided to get started.
2. How long have you been practicing Pilates? How often do you practice Pilates?
I first went to class around June in 2011. I try to attend class twice a week, but I now find myself doing some Pilates exercises at home for about 15 minutes everyday.
3. What was your impression about Pilates before you begin practicing it? Has it changed? How do you feel about Pilates now?
My impression before was always that it was good for core strength and posture, so there was no real change in perception.
4. Other than golf and Pilates, do you do other exercises or sports?
Yes, I used to run more. I find myself preferring to use a cross trainer in the gym twice per week for cardio and then stretch with Pilates afterwards to lengthen my hamstrings.
5. Has Pilates helped you to lose weight, perform better in your sports or improve your daily activities? If yes, how much weight did you lose and/or what activities are improved?
My weight has been around 78.5kg for a number of years. I exercise often and eat reasonably healthy, so Pilates is not so much about weight loss for me. It is more about flexibility, core strength, and achieving a good body posture.
6. Can you share with us a unique experience that practicing Pilates has provided you with?
Yes, I participated in a golf tournament recently, and there was a photographer who took a picture of me and 3 other partners. When we were given the picture at the end of the game, I had to do a double take at it as I didn’t recognize myself. The person in the picture was standing much straighter, and with much broader shoulders than I remember seeing myself in similar pictures from previous years. This experience made me realize that Pilates classes has indeed helped me to make progress in my body posture, and hence improving my performance in golf as well.
7. What has your experience with Pilates Fitness been like?
Very good! I'm happy with class and with the instructors, who are always very helpful and quick to recognize what needs to be done to improve a muscle group or weakness.
8. What do you find most enjoyable or memorable about practicing Pilates at Pilates Fitness?
The positive feeling after attending a class, and waking up the next day in good body posture.
9. Would you recommend Pilates classes at Pilates Fitness to your friends? If yes, why?
Yes! The studio facility is good. It’s convenient, not too big, and the instructors are knowledgeable.
10. Any last comments?
Only things to add are that booking has become a challenge for me since the Pilates studio built up quickly in the last few months. I need to plan my classes in advance, but my work requires me to travel, hence I can't plan too far ahead either. It has become difficult to get on waiting lists recently, and some of the work in the classes has not been demanding enough due to the number of newbies in class. However, I appreciate you letting me know if class becomes available by SMS. I guess I need to find a way to plan and book better.
Pilates is known to benefit the population of all ages, from those recovering from injuries or suffering from body aches, to those simply looking for a challenging workout that promotes core strengthening and flexibility. With more people turning to Pilates as a safe yet intensive workout alternative in Singapore, there is a growing demand for certified Pilates instructors. Those who have attended Pilates classes would know that the cost of a Pilates class is relative high, and that it is easy to differentiate a certified instructor from an uncertified one, solely based on how the class is managed by the instructor. As expectations of instructors have increased with the popularity of Pilates, certified instructors can definitely retain more customers compared to one who has not undergone formal Pilates instructor training.
What do you need to be a Pilates Instructor?
Aside from investing time, money and commitment, you will need to have a strong passion for Pilates. If you are a self-motivated, people-oriented person who enjoys teaching and believes in sharing the knowledge and benefits of Pilates to others, this just might be the ultimate job for you! Read on to find out the top five perks of being a full-time Pilates instructor (strictly from Pilates Fitness team's perspective).
The most apparent advantage of being a Pilates instructor is that you do not necessarily have to be young, or the strongest or most flexible person in a Pilates class to pursue a Pilates instructor certification. Pilates exercises are designed to have no impact on the joints , which means that you can teach Pilates even as a retirement job! This is a stark contrast to being a fitness instructor for high-impact workouts (e.g. Body Combat, Kick-Boxing), where the intensity of the workout is not suitable for people with injuries or beyond a certain age. Anyone can be a Pilates instructor – as long as you have a passion for practicing Pilates and for sharing the knowledge with others!
Unlike most desk-bound jobs, being a Pilates instructor gives you the opportunity to earn a living from your passion. In order to be a successful Pilates instructor, large amounts of time and effort has to be set aside for self-practice and to attend Pilates classes (both of which are requirements in your Pilates certification program). Understanding how Pilates exercises affects your body also allows you to provide effective cues for your clients to execute each movement more precisely.
The role of a Pilates instructor is to help clients to manage and achieve their individual goals. Pilates is suitable for everyone, from the de-conditioned to the professional athletes. There are clients recovering from injuries who do Pilates for rehabilitative purposes, elderly who are unable to do high-impact exercises but want to maintain their fitness, and others who have been leading a sedentary lifestyle looking to get back on an exercise program. Many people attend Pilates classes for different reasons, and being a Pilates instructor allows you to establish a strong bond with your clients by assessing individual strengths and weaknesses, and customizing each exercise to suit their needs. There is an immense feeling of satisfaction from seeing improvements in your clients through your workout.
Pilates is a diverse field that presents you with a wide range of options to specialize in. For example, if you refer to our class schedule, you will find that Pilates Fitness offers a diversity of classes, from Weight Loss and Core & Body Aches, to Couple Prenatal and Cardio Jumpboard Pilates classes. Other specialty tracks include Pilates for athletes and Pilates for rehabilitation. Upon completion of your basic Pilates certification, you can choose to pursue one or more of these specialty tracks in order to stay competitive in the field, and also to increase your rate of pay. Being a Pilates instructor is definitely not a stagnant job – there are many opportunities to grow and learn in the career path of a Pilates instructor.
Being a certified Pilates instructor gives you the freedom to plan your own working schedule! Once you’ve completed your basic Pilates certification, you can decide on a combination of working environments that complements your lifestyle. Apart from working at a Pilates studio, you can also teach classes at gyms, fitness centers, schools, or companies who organize fitness programs for their employees. The vibrant working environment of a Pilates instructor not only keeps you active but also gives you the opportunity to develop new business opportunities by expanding your social network.
Pilates is your ally in the war against diabetes. In 2017, Singapore government declared war against diabetes. As of November 2023, more than 400,000 people in Singapore live with diabetes, with the number projected to rise to 1 million by 2050!
Let’s look at some facts:
Recent reports show worrying trends that diabetics is affecting younger adults, as young as 30 years
What are the key reasons driving high rise of diabetics cases in Singapore? They can be attributed mainly to Singaporeans living a stressful and sedentary lifestyle and that most time-starved Singaporean reach out to fast food and convenience foods with high processed sugars.
Besides managing your weight, sleep and diet, what else can you do to reduce the risk of developing diabetes? Let's find out.
Diabetes is a disease brought on by either the body's inability to make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes). It can also appear during pregnancy.
One should also be concerned about pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance stage. This is a condition whereby one’s blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is always accompanied by pre-diabetes. Hence it is crucial to know if you are in a pre-diabetes stage and start working on precautions to prevent the full onset of type 2 diabetes.
Do you know that “lean people with a high body fat content have a higher risk of developing metabolic diseases like diabetes”? It is important to not only screen for your blood sugar level but also your body fat and visceral fat percentage. Pilates Fitness friendly front desk can assist you to measure your body fat percentage – do track on your body fat percentage on a monthly basis.
There are different types of diabetes and each type may have different symptoms. Some of the common symptoms include:
Singapore Ministry of Health has shared that “of the more than 400,000 diabetics today, one in three do not even know they have the disease.” If you have not screened yourself in the last 18 months, do make an appointment soon and screen yourself yearly to check on your blood sugar levels.
A clinical research conducted in 2013 – The effect of Pilates exercises on general health in women with type 2 diabetes concluded that “concluded that Pilates exercises can be utilized as an effective and safe method to improve general health in patients with type 2 diabetes.”
More specifically, here are 3 ways that Pilates can improve diabetes patients’ quality of life:
Pilates exercises have been shown to significantly reduce fasting blood glucose, post-prandial blood glucose, and HbA1c levels in diabetic patients. An 8-week Pilates program was found to be effective in lowering these markers.
Studies indicate that Pilates can improve lipid profiles in diabetics by reducing triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. However, it does not seem to significantly impact HDL (good) cholesterol.
The intensity of Pilates appears to play a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels in diabetics. Higher intensity programs (over 200 minutes per week) were associated with greater reductions in fasting blood glucose compared to lower intensities. Reformer Pilates classes provide resistance training that increase muscle mass. When your muscle mass increase, your body fat percentage will be reduced correspondingly.
Pilates classes have no impact to your joints. This allows one to practise Pilates regularly, even on a daily basis. This makes a big difference especially to overweight diabetics patients since most exercises of moderate intensity may be overwhelming for overweight patients. As diabetic patients generally recover slowly from cuts and injuries, it is important that they choose an activity such as Pilates that has less chances of causing sport injuries.
Pilates classes require one to have mind-body connection to perform the Pilates exercises correctly. Pilates helps one to focus and improve mental health which is a great help to diabetic patients. Mental complications such as depression, anxiety and/or aggression are often accompanied by diabetes. Participating in activities that not only challenge one physically but also mentally will help diabetic patients tremendously.
Reformer Pilates, particularly when performed at higher intensities for around 8 weeks, can positively influence blood glucose control, lipid profiles, and other cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with diabetes. There is no age, gender or fitness limitation in practising Pilates. Pilates is easily picked up by everyone including the elderly or someone who has not been exercising for a long time. Pilates is efficient as one hour of Pilates class helps to tone up full body, increase mind-body connection, improves posture, coordination and flexibility. Join us in war against diabetes – get started with your Pilates class now!
The Pilates Ring is a versatile prop that adds lightweight resistance and an extra challenge to our Pilates workouts, which explains why our instructors simply love to incorporate this magic circle into our wide range of Reformer Pilates classes! In the next few months, we will be incorporating more exercises using the Pilates Ring to give you the extra boost in class.
Let us share with you the magical effect of using the Pilates Ring during a workout, and the impact it has on our bodies. What exactly does the Pilates Ring do that makes us work harder and sweat more in a shorter amount of time?
If you've used the Pilates Ring before, you'd have found that more effort is required to execute each movement correctly. What the Pilates Ring does is to assist your body to activate isolated muscles more effectively. In Pilates Fitness classes, we often use the Pilates ring as a prop to bring you to the correct posture or give you a deeper stretch during warm up. See the photo below.
The flexibility of the Pilates Ring facilitates enhanced body awareness by providing self-feedback to the participant during exercises. This helps the participant to self-correct immediately during each exercise repetition so that every repetition is performed correctly and effectively.
Psst - rumours have it that Joseph Pilates (founder of the Pilates method) invented the first magic circle using the ring from a beer keg.
The Pilates Ring is made from soft metal that allows it to bend slightly while providing firm resistance. This helps one to condition the body safely and get a toned, lean body faster as compared to doing the same exercise without the Pilates Ring. The Pilates Ring is often used in intermediate classes as a form of variation of Pilates exercises to keep classes fun and unpredictable at a higher intensity.
We love to use the Pilates Ring to keep the legs strong and engaged during Hundreds on the Reformer Machine! Add in an extra bend and stretch on the legs to work up a sweat:
If you're afraid of bulking up or getting injured due to the high intensity, here's the good news:
1) The Pilates Ring can be used several times a week for optimal results without resulting in a bulky build
2) It is less likely result in injury using the Pilates Ring due to its low maximum resistance threshold, which means it is suitable for seniors and rehabilitation as well!
According to how the Pilates ring is used or positioned, placing pressure on the ring provides stability to the body. If a participant feels unstable during a particular movement, squeezing the Pilates Ring helps one to stabilize her body by reaching to the deep core muscles. Especially useful to beginners who are not able to activate their core muscles, Pilates Ring provides tactile feedback to help one to quickly understand how to engage the core muscles to do the exercises.
Another favorite use of the Pilates Ring in our classes is to place it in between the knees during Hip Roll. We also enjoy playing around with a combination of props such as toning balls for an extra resistance and challenge to the core!
We love the additional challenge that the Pilates Ring provides in class (and we know our clients love it too), which is why you may have noticed that we've been using the ring in our classes more frequently. Our Pilates Fitness instructors will be exploring different exercise variations that includes the ring, to push you just a bit harder as you inch closer to reaching your fitness goals.
Struggling to find time to exercise? Read our article on 3 Simple Ways To Make Exercise A Habit to find out how you can create long-lasting habits instead of just setting goals!
