Pilates Resources for Beginners

Pilates has become a popular holistic form of exercise as more people start pursuing health and wellness. According to market research from The Brainy Insights, the Pilates and yoga studios market is expected to reach $409.11 billion by 2032. Today, many resorts and hotels work with Pilates and yoga studios to offer wellness retreats. At the same time, tech innovations have led to increased Pilates learners accessing virtual instructor-led classes, interactive training programs, and personalized fitness tracking.

In a previous post on "The Transformative Nature of Pilates Training", we highlighted the various benefits and functions of practicing Pilates, including core strengthening, improving your posture, increasing flexibility and mobility, and boosting your immunity, among many others. Understandably, the global Pilates community continues to grow as more and more people bond over the mind-body exercise and its many benefits.

Fortunately, starting your Pilates training as a beginner doesn't have to be overwhelming or intimidating. Resources are abundant, and you can easily access them in this digital age, from eBooks to YouTube videos. Below, we'll be sharing some essential Pilates resources for beginners looking to get started:

eBooks

If you're still wary about the physical demands of pilates training, it can help to get yourself acquainted with the exercise by reading about it. There are thousands of books on pilates aimed at every level. For a new practitioner who wants to read widely on the subject, buying lots of physical books may not be practical. Thankfully, eBooks on pilates are readily available online and on digital platforms today. eBook subscription service Everand is home to millions of eBooks and audiobooks, and beginners looking to learn everything they can about Pilates can find titles like Everything Pilates for online and offline access.

These books are a great starting point to get you up to speed through step-by-step instructions on exercises like the Spine Stretch, the Roll-Up, and the Swan. If you'd like a deeper look into Pilates and its history, check out the eBook Caged Lion: Joseph Pilates and His Legacy — an insightful look at the man who popularized the exercise program.

Podcasts

Another way to start your Pilates journey is by listening to experts and teachers discussing it in depth. Podcasts have become a popular way to consume entertainment and stay up-to-date with discourse on different niche topics, and Pilates is no exception. YouTube recently introduced podcasts into its multimedia platform YouTube Music, so you can easily find pilates-specific podcasts like Pilates Unfiltered or The Pilates Goddess Podcast.

Podcasts are a great way to learn more about Pilates culture from industry leaders and community teachers. They're also a great alternative when you don't have the time to read the latest articles, op-eds, or books on the subject.

Apps

Another great resource is trying out pilates apps. These are great if you live far from your preferred Pilates studios or feel intimidated and want to start learning independently. Today, most pilates apps can be accessed on smartphones and tablets, so you can practice your pilates exercises wherever you are. These provide essential instructional content to get you started and have an interface that is easy to navigate.

Some apps also go beyond instructional videos and animations, providing access to teachers and instructors for live virtual classes. These apps may also feature weekly new content and in-app challenges to gamify the learning experience and keep you motivated. You can find Absolute Pilates class inside the Momence app you have for booking studio classes.

Videos

Finally, a great pilates resource is the abundance of videos you can access on various platforms. Most content creators — or influencers — will have regular video content uploaded for instructional purposes. Your favorite Absolute Pilates teachers have recorded videos of all levels to help you practice outside of the studio.

Since you're just starting, it can help to look for beginner-friendly or low-impact instructional videos. These usually engage your full body, including exercises like Cat and Cows and plank hip twists to get you feeling energized and confident for the rest of your day.

Article written by Tracey Craig

Exclusively for absolutepilates.co