Thursday, 01 September 2022 00:00

Pilates Workout Videos

The internet is exploding with Pilates workout videos.  Sure, lots of them are great, but (yes, there’s always a “but”) which one is right for what you want and need?  They’re not all the same, after all.  That’s why there are so very many of them.  Each one has a different instructor, difficulty level, routine, goal and style.

The key is to make sure you find the right one for what you want from the experience.  Use some of the following tips to get you started on the right foot.  This way, you won’t have to wait long before you’re rolling out your mat and giving your entire body a rewarding workout.

  • Pay attention to difficulty level – Many Pilates videos are specifically labeled to help you know whether or not they’re appropriate for your experience and fitness level.  Decide whether you would consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or expert and choose a video geared toward that level.
  • Preview videos whenever you can – If you can watch a little preview of the introduction or one of the exercises, it will give you a better idea of whether you like the style, instructor and even the background music.  If you find the video to be instructive, motivational and fun, you’ll be far more likely to keep it up than if you find it confusing or annoying.  If you can’t preview the video you’re interested in trying, see if there is any other work by the same company or instructor that you can preview.  This  will still offer you a bit of insight.
  • Try a few free videos first – Test out a few videos you can find on a free streaming site.  These likely won’t be the ones that you’ll stick to over time, but they will help you to build an understanding of the style you like.  Do you prefer an energetic instructor or one that is soothing and calm?  Do you like videos with music that has a great beat or would you rather listen to nature sounds or a pan flute? Do you need a large amount of guidance to verbally tell you how to achieve the right form, or would you rather watch a video with multiple camera angles so you can see what the instructor is doing?
  • Talk to people – Friends, family and even an instructor at your local gym can provide you with a wealth of helpful information.  Pilates videos are very popular and people usually have their favorites once they’ve tried a few.  Find out what they are!
  • Read reviews – Most sites that sell or stream videos allow ratings and reviews.  Check out what other users think of what they’ve seen.  Pay special attention to the more detailed reviews that say precisely what they did and did not like and why.
  • Pay attention to the length – If you know you’re going to have a maximum of 30 minutes to do your Pilates video, don’t buy one that is 50 minutes long.  At the same time, you’ll likely be disappointed if you invest in one that is only 10 minutes long as you have more time to dedicate to your fitness. Make sure the length of the video suits the amount of time you want to spend doing Pilates in the first place. Finally, remember not to give up.  If you watch your first Pilates video and aren’t all that wild about it, take comfort in knowing that you still have lots of other options out there from which to choose.  Pay attention to what you did and didn’t like from any video you’ve watched so you can better refine your search in the future.

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