Out of the many home workouts just begging to be completed on your living room floor, Pilates is one of the most effective.
While it may look deceptively easy, anyone who’s ever attended a reformer Pilates class knows that the next day every muscle in your body is burning - even muscles you didn’t know you had. Pilates workouts help to improve core strength, flexibility and balance, and it’s especially recommended if you suffer from back and shoulder pain.
Before you press play on one of the workouts below, make sure that you have all the necessary equipment on hand. While many Pilates sessions require nothing but your own body, you have a far greater range of options once you’ve acquired some basic accessories.
A mat is by far the most useful item. While you can do standing Pilates, a lot of the common movements are floor-based. Thicker mats are preferable as they support your spine more effectively.
To really work those muscles, a resistance band is a useful tool. The thicker and tighter the band, and the harder you pull it, the stronger your muscles become. Finally, consider investing in a Pilates ball to provide a more serious challenge to your core.
Once you’re all set up on the floor surrounded by your Pilates accoutrements, take a deep breath before you begin - because breathing is the most important thing about this type of workout. Breathe through the effort and pain rather than bracing against it, and you’ll be working all the right muscles and achieving your fitness goals in no time.
Blogilates lower belly workout
Short on time? This lower belly workout is just three minutes long, so you have no excuses whatsoever for not having time for it. The workout is by Cassey Ho of Blogilates, an YouTube Pilates superstar.
Sophia Pym Pilates for runners
While we know it’s a wrench to not slip on your trainers and go for a run even for one day, stretching those tight muscles and working your core with London-based Pilates instructor Sophia Pym will help you to boost your personal best.
Morning Pilates with The Balance Life
Stretching is a great way to gently awaken and warm your body in the morning, so try this video out on days when you want to start your routine feeling uplifted and energised. The slow, thoughtful moves and calm breathing helps to alleviate muscle pain and stretch out your body.
20 minute Pilates with The Live Fit Girl
Need a full body blitz workout but are short on time? As long as you have 20 minutes to spare, you can still get in your daily workout with this video by popular Pilates YouTuber Deanna, The Live Fit Girl.
Butt and thigh workout with FitnessBlender
With minimal fuss and maximum impact, this 35 minutes long lower body-focused workout is all but guaranteed to leave you sore. With an inbuilt pre and post-workout stretch, it’s the complete YouTube Pilates package.
Cardio Pilates with GymRa
This is one of the best weight-loss focused YouTube Pilates workouts around. While you might associate Pilates with a lot of lounging around in leggings, this one will really make you sweat - and all in a mere 29 minutes.
Lottie Murphy resistance band Pilates
While it might be just 15 minutes long, this workout utilises resistance bands to push your glutes, arms and core to their limit. Results driven yet speedy, this is what Pilates at home is all about.
