Frequently Asked Questions!

Frequently Asked Questions!

Getting started in anything new, there are ALWAYS questions! Since Pilates is something that is SO new and different to many, we understand that there can be a lot of questions! We are here to help!! Here are our most Frequently Asked Questions (or Comments)!

+ “I am not flexible, so I don’t think I will be good at it!” – YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE to do Pilates or Barre – That is why we do them!! Most of our teachers are not “naturally flexible” – I certainly am not! It is something I have to work at through the practice of Pilates and Barre! The movements in both classes help to work at the end range of my natural movements, so that I build strength and mobility to increase range of motion!

+ “I am new to exercise, where do I start?” – We always recommend starting with privates (although it is not required).  This is recommended for a couple of reasons. 1. Learning the equipment and how to change it can be challenging if you’ve never done this type of workout before! 2. Each body is different and needs different things! Our teachers can walk you through challenges specific to your body, so you can complete exercises more successfully in a class setting!  If you are not able to do privates, we recommend jumping in to one of our regular Pilates Equipment classes or Barre classes.  Most are mixed level classes, so we are able to accommodate all ability levels, however, we will keep the entire class moving!

Frequently Asked Questions:

+ “Will Pilates/Barre help me lose weight?” – Exercise and moving your body burns calories! The amount of calories your burn depends on the person! The beauty with Pilates is that it will help you tone and strengthen your body, so you will start to feel and see a difference in your body before you notice the scale change.  This is an exercise system that will address areas of concern by teaching you to use your body correctly and move more efficiently! Moving and building strength will also increase your resting calorie burn!  Think of it this way – We encourage more of being in tune to the needs of your body and its abilities rather than counting calories to a certain size or weight goal! Don’t get me wrong, we like goals just as much as the next girl, but if we take a deep breath, and move our bodies BETTER, the rest will come!

+ “Do I have to be in shape to do Pilates or Barre?” – NO!! If you started a running routine, you wouldn’t expect to be able to go out and run a marathon on your first day! We realize there is a learning curve to understanding the equipment, cues, and movements! If there is one thing we do really well, it is that we make every ability level feel comfortable and celebrate their accomplishments with them! We genuinely want to see you succeed and help you learn your body better!!

+ “What do I need for class?” – We require grip socks for all of our classes now! A bottled water may also be a need during class, but we do have water and a water bottle filling station in the studio! We recommend comfortable clothes that you can move easily in! Running low on leggings? No problem! We sell lululemon at the studio too!

+ “What if I can’t make it to my scheduled time?” – We have a two hour cancellation policy for classes and a 24 hour cancellation policy for privates! Just let us know of schedule changes outside of those windows, and we are happy to change things for you! We also will waive your first late cancellation each year!

+ “How often do I have to do Pilates or Barre?” – We get this question a LOT and it really depends on you, your goals, and your schedule!  To see results in a steady way, we recommend 3-4 times per week, but we understand that not everyones schedule can accommodate this!  Pilates and Barre aren’t like other workouts where you need a day or more of rest! It is safe to do everyday after getting settled into a routine!

We know there are a lot of questions when starting something new, but we want you to know that we are here for you every step of the way! If you want to come and see the studio, we would love to have you visit and answer any questions YOU may have!

Email: info@thepilatesbarrestudio.com

Phone: (618)660-7680

See you in the studio soon!

In Strength and Confidence,

Stephanie

 

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Check your Nutrition Labels!

Here’s Your Reminder To Check Your Nutrition Labels Before You Buy!

We all love a good story, right? Especially one involving sneaky ingredients. I was grabbing some ketchup out of my refrigerator a couple of days ago and took a look at the ingredients. Which one was number two, you might be wondering? High Fructose Corn Syrup. A bit puzzled, I threw it away, because we don’t need that extra sweet (in the worst way), highly processed, non-sense. A day later, my dad grilled burgers for dinner. He went to the refrigerator to get some ketchup and.. guess what wasn’t in there? 😉 The ketchup. I forgot to pick up some more and needless to say, he was not the happiest camper. But, his body was a happier camper. What are daughters for, right?

Truth is, maybe adding a little bit of ketchup to his burger might not have hurt him too terribly in the moment, but there are popular name brand products that we are used to grabbing off the shelf at the grocery store that have processed ingredients in them that are not benefitting our bodies. 

Nutrition Label Tips

Here are some tips to help you next time you’re grabbing ketchup, or crackers, or anything other than fresh fruits and vegetables.

  1. Ingredients listed first are the most predominant in your product.
  2. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient in the food you’re buying (or don’t know what it is), look for an alternative.
  3. Strive to buy products that have 5 ingredients or less.
  4. Shop predominantly on the perimeter of the grocery store.
  5. Be careful for “all natural” labels on your boxes, bags, etc. It should always prompt a peek to the nutrition label to see what’s actually inside. 

I encourage you, next time you’re at the grocery store to challenge yourself to keep your cart about 85% fresh foods, whether it’s fruits, vegetables, or meat.

We want to know, have you been one to look at ingredients you are purchasing before today?

 

In Strength and Confidence,

 

Harley

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Pilates for Scoliosis – It has your Back!

Pilates for Scoliosis!

I’ve said before that Pilates is for EVERY body and that includes people with scoliosis! If you have scoliosis, your body is naturally pulled off center and in turn uses the muscles differently from one side to the other.  Because Pilates helps to balance out the body and connect the mind to muscle activation, it is SO beneficial for people with scoliosis. Pilates for scoliosis looks a little differently because we will be working the two sides of the body differently!

What happens to the muscles with Scoliosis

Imagine your spine was an “s” shape. The top of the “s” would be the convex side of the spine.  The muscles on this side are overstretched, overdeveloped, and tight. The inside of the top of the “s” is the concave side of the spine.  The muscles on this side of the spine are underdeveloped and tight!  Below are the 2 goals for each side of the body to stay pain free with a curved spine!

Goals for the Lesson:

Convex Side of the Spine:

  1. Release tight muscles through pressure point release.  Rolling the muscles on this side of the spine will help to release the muscles.  We do not want to stretch this side because that will push you into the curve of your spine in a way that accentuates that curve.
  2. Increase Strength through exercises.  Exercises on this side of the body need to be done in a way that strengthen the muscles without pushing your spine further into its natural curve.

Concave Side of the Spine:

  1. Stretch open the concave side.  Stretching this side of the spine should feel like a welcomed relief! By opening up this side, you are creating necessary mobility where the body wants to sink! Putting a ball under the opposite side and laying over it will help to stretch the concave side open!
  2. Increase strength through exercises.  Exercises on this side of the body are usually very challenging due to the atrophied nature of the muscles. Exercises may be very small and light weights to start until the strength starts to build.

While Pilates can’t fix scoliosis, it can be a great way to manage pain and stay mobile.  The key to staying pain free is staying mobile and create as much balance as possible!  Pilates can be a great option to increase mobility and stay pain free! Some additional online resources for scoliosis are HERE.

In Strength and Confidence,

Stephanie

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