How many of you have quit the gym simply because you were bored with your exercises?
While weight lifting is a great way to build muscle, there have probably been many times when you’ve questioned whether this was truly right for you. And while cardio works for some people, it isn’t necessary to burn weight, nor is it the most effective means.
Fortunately, there is a better way to work out, and that’s with Pilates. What truly separates Pilates from any other workout is the results you’ll see and the fun you’ll have doing it.
If Yoga is a little too slow for you and running a little too fast, Pilates offers the perfect hybrid between both.
With Pilates, you’ll get those toned arms, a flat stomach, and a whole host of other benefits. Furthermore, if you work out with a home Pilates reformer or at a professional studio, you can develop bigger muscles like the gym.
This brings us to an important question: how often should you do Pilates to see results? Fortunately, we’ll answer this question and more, to help you create the optimal Pilates schedule that works for you.
How often should you do Pilates to see the best results?
Ideally, you should do Pilates anywhere from four to five days a week, depending on your skill level and physique. However, if you’re a beginner, you may want to take it slower, allowing more days for recovery time.
For example, if you’re doing hour-long workouts on a Cadillac reformer and achieving deep burns, then it might pay to take an extra day of rest. Ultimately, you should listen to your body when you first start Pilates to determine whether you need to take an extra day or rest or even cut a workout short.
However, after some practice, recovery times will shrink, and you can begin growing your workout routine to 4-5 days per week. This schedule will offer the fastest results, whether it’s losing weight, building muscle, rehabbing an injury, or fixing your posture.
How long does it take to see results from Pilates?
Generally, it will take anywhere between 1-3 months to see results from Pilates, depending on the frequency and intensity of your workouts. For example, you’ll see results faster if you work out on a Pilates reformer or in a studio with a reformer, as opposed to a mat.
With that said, results from Pilates will depend on a whole host of other factors, such as dieting and sleep. Thankfully, Pilates has been proven to improve overall sleep quality, which is the number one factor associated with losing weight.
Is it okay to do Pilates every day?
Yes, you can do Pilates every day, and you’ll see results faster that way. In fact, you’ll see the best results in your core since most full-body Pilates workouts strengthen your core directly or indirectly.
The key to doing Pilates every day is switching up exercises and targeting different muscle groups. For example, allowing a day of rest between arms and shoulder muscles to target back and leg muscles allows muscles to recover and your body to fit in more exercises without risk of injury.
Are 20 minutes of Pilates a day enough to see results?
Doing 20 minutes a day of Pilates is a great starting point for beginners or individuals looking to work out every day. 20 minutes of Pilates allows you to get a good burn in without wearing out your body.
Of course, increasing the length of your workouts will offer better results, and making the most of those 20 minutes on a reformer will as well.
Is it better to do Pilates in the morning or at night?
Doing Pilates in the morning is the best time for the following reasons:
- Sustained Energy: Working out in the morning is better than a cup of coffee. Why? Early morning exercises release neurotransmitters that make you more focused. Working out early also conforms to your circadian rhythm when cortisol is already being released and helps improve cardiovascular health for an energy bump.
- Improved Sleep: Studies have shown that working out in the morning boosts your sleep at night. One reason to avoid nighttime workouts is that they raise cortisol levels, making it more difficult to fall asleep if it’s too close to your bedtime.
- Helps Organs: Pilates fixes your posture, which allows your organs to work better. By giving your organs room to breathe, your liver, kidneys, and all of those important organs will function better and keep your system clean.
- Improved Metabolism: Exercise has been proven to raise your metabolism, so the earlier you workout, the longer you’ll enjoy a metabolism boost throughout the day.
- Fewer Distractions: The morning is great for conducting Pilates exercises in peace and free from distractions.
Will I see better results on a Pilates reformer?
You will absolutely see better results from working out on a Pilates reformer machine. This is because a reformer device offers several pieces of equipment that allow you to conduct a full range of exercises, unavailable on a mat.
For example, a Cadillac reformer may come with a hanging tower, straps, jump board, carriage, ropes, and vertical cross bars to conduct exercises while moving on the carriage, hanging from the tower, or pulling your body up using tension ropes.
In addition, many Pilates reformer machines come with resistance springs that allow you to increase the resistance of exercises to achieve a deeper muscle burn.
Similar to cycling weights and reps for different results, increasing spring resistance allows you to target deeper muscles and build bigger ones.
See better results today
If you want better results from your workouts or a program that will help you stick with exercise, consider a Pilates reformer device. These ingenious devices can be used in the comfort of your home for a full-bodied workout and save you money on expensive club memberships.
With sophisticated equipment and durable construction, a Pilates reformer machine is a lifetime investment that can help you on your journey to better health. In addition, you’ll see results quickly and continuously when you work out on these machines.
For your home Pilates reformer machine, browse our wide selection of various brands and styles to find the one best suited for you.
