Although the coronavirus pandemic is affecting numerous aspects of everyone’s daily lives, it doesn’t have to keep you from maintaining a consistent Pilates workout routine. At Phitosophy, we’ve had to adapt given California’s shelter-in-place orders which preclude us from holding the various studio classes you regularly attend and enjoy. Many of our clients have been in touch with questions regarding how to maintain a workout routine from home that provides the same benefits as our group classes with reformer machines.
The good news is that you can achieve your workout goals at home without a reformer machine by utilizing some of the exercises we will outline below. Additionally, we will be offering instructor guided videos via our Instagram page in the coming weeks that you can access from the comfort of your home. These videos will include personalized guidance for you from Phitosophy instructors.
The coronavirus pandemic is a temporary inconvenience, but we want to be sure you are able to continue your workout routine from home and meet your fitness goals just as you would by coming to the studio. One of the ways to do so is by taking part in mat Pilates.
Mat Pilates:
One of the best options for a high intensity workout from home is mat Pilates. What is mat Pilates? Essentially, it’s a type of Pilates that substitutes a mat in place of a reformer machine, while still providing an excellent full body workout. Mat Pilates is a strengthening and lengthening form of exercise that focuses on your core muscles and targets and tones your arms and legs.
In order to correctly participate in mat Pilates, you’ll need to purchase a proper mat (which, it should be noted, is actually different than a standard yoga mat). For a good list of options and details on where to buy a quality Pilates mat, take a look at the following link from Shape magazine.
If done properly, mat Pilates can help you lose weight and increase muscle tone with similar results you have come to expect from a reformer machine workout. When doing Pilates from home, you want to be sure you’re performing the exercises correctly, particularly if you aren’t accustomed to mat Pilates. That’s why we’ve posted some videos with our instructor, Erin, demonstrating how to correctly perform various mat Pilates exercises that will help guide you during your home workout.
Mat Pilates Exercise Videos:
These are just a few options for home mat Pilates exercises, and we will be posting additional content regularly that will allow you to take part in virtual Pilates exercises from the comfort of your home.
Benefits of Mat Pilates:
1. Burn significant calories to meet your weight loss goals
How many calories does a mat Pilates workout burn? According to Healthline, someone who weighs approximately 150 pounds and completes one 50-minute Pilates mat class at a beginner level will burn approximately 175 calories. But keep in mind, that’s for someone at a beginner level. For those who are more experienced in mat Pilates, an advanced 50-minute class burns approximately 254 calories.
That’s a significant amount of calories to burn through exercise, particularly for a workout from home. For those looking to lose weight or maintain their current BMI, mat Pilates is an excellent option.
2. Ease and convenience of a mat Pilates workout from home
Participating in virtual mat Pilates workouts, which include videos with guidance and demonstrations from certified Pilates instructors, can be done on your own schedule and in the comfort and privacy of your home. As we at Phitosophy continue to expand our virtual Pilates classes and exercise demonstrations via our Instagram page and website, you will have the benefit of choosing from a variety of different workout routines. These will include varying exercises to keep your Pilates workout from home fresh and enjoyable, and keep you motivated to maintain your workout routine.
3. Mat Pilates is one of the easiest workouts to do at home
What makes mat Pilates one of the easiest types of Pilates workouts to complete at home is the simplicity involved in the process. All you require is a mat, an internet connection to access a virtual class with an instructor via video, and the self-motivation to complete your workout on a regular basis.
During this difficult period, with the coronavirus affecting businesses and our way of life, our goal is to provide you with all the options you need to help you maintain your workout goals and fitness objectives.
In the coming weeks we will be posting regular content with virtual classes, exercise options, and tips to stay motivated and focused despite the negative impact of coronavirus.
We at Phitosophy want you to know that we value each and every one of you, our dear clients, who we consider to be like family. We miss you and look forward to seeing everyone in the studio again soon, and hope and trust that this current pandemic will subside in the very near future.
In the meantime, please consistently check our Instagram and Phitosophy website for regular updates and virtual classes to help you through the difficult time we are all experiencing. Additionally, please know that our staff is here for you if you have any questions or concerns regarding maintaining your workout routine and helping to reduce stress and anxiety through Pilates. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch — we are always here for you.