It is easy to spot a new Pilates student in a class. Not only because they have this skeptical look on their faces but also with how they act. However, not all new students fail to follow the Pilates class etiquette. Besides, there are still a few members who have been in class for a long time but still fail to comply with the dos and don’ts in a Pilates session.

I have been into a lot of Pilates classes and I’ve encountered a lot of people still breaking a few rules. To avoid making the same mistakes, I’ve listed a few things you should and shouldn’t do during a Pilates session.

Dos

Be on Time

Showing up on time is a sign of respect not only for the instructor but also for the other students. Being late can affect the flow of the class and the body will miss out on the full benefit of the session.

Warm Up Before the Class

Another reason why it is important to be on time is to prepare the body before the session. Doing warm-up exercises before the beginning of class will awaken your muscles and make it easier to do the exercises. There are Pilates warm-up exercises that can be performed before the class.

Inform Your Instructor of Any Injuries or Changes in the Body

Before a class starts, the instructor will check with the students to ask if they are feeling okay or had encountered some minor injuries. Don’t wait to be asked, inform the instructor right away of any minor or serious issues like pregnancy, surgery, or back pain. 

Ask Appropriate Questions

It is okay to ask questions. I like it when people ask questions because I also learn from other students. However, there is always a right time to ask a question. Sometimes it is best to ask before the session starts or wait until the class is finished.

Find Out How and Where to Leave Pilates Equipment

Many students forget to put back the equipment they’ve used after a session. I had this experience where someone failed to wipe clean the Pilates Reformer in Fitzroy North Studio after using it. I can still see the sweat she left behind. Most studios provide towels and spray for the equipment. They prefer students do it so equipment will be ready for the next class.

Don’ts

Don’t Be a No-Show

I know plans can change sometimes and we have no choice but to cancel an appointment. But don’t be a no-show, or at least try to contact the studio or instructor to inform them that you can’t make it. This will allow the studio to find a replacement for the spot and will assure them that you are okay.

Don’t Intrude on an Ongoing Class

Again, be respectful and don’t disturb an ongoing class. It is a big no to do warm-up exercises when there’s a session in progress. Do warmup exercises when the class before yours had ended. There are still a lot of things to do while waiting for the class without intruding.

Avoid Chatting When the Class Has Started

It is best to hold off any conversation after the class. Don’t chat while on a session as it can distract other people and they won’t be able to concentrate on the exercise. It is also disrespectful to chat during class when the instructor is focused on teaching the students.

Never Perform An Exercise That Can Hurt Your Body

An instructor is not always aware of the student’s capability and condition. This is why it is important to inform them before the class starts of any injuries or pain in the body. If you can’t do a specific exercise or routine that may hurt, ask politely for a modification. 

Don’t Wear Strong Scents

Most studios request their students to avoid wearing strongly scented products like perfume, lotions, and deodorants. Some people are allergic to certain scents.

There you have it. Those are the dos and don’ts that should be observed during Pilates classes. They are fairly simple and easy to understand, so it wouldn’t be that hard to follow. By sticking to them and applying the Pilates etiquette, everyone will have a fruitful and rewarding session.

There is a growing number of Australians who are recognising the importance of staying fit, losing weight, and leading a generally healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, commitments in other aspects of our lives can somehow get in the way towards fulfilling a healthier and fitter body. Thankfully, there are now vibration machines that can help us achieve our fitness goals without really taking too much effort or time on our part. But what are these machines and why should you even bother getting one?

A vibration machine is an exercise platform which is a lot similar to your bathroom weighing scale. You stand on the platform, turn the machine on, and feel the vibrations pulsing through the rest of your body. Depending on the type of vibration machine that you have, you can actually burn calories, tone muscles, improve joint flexibility, and even reduce muscle soreness, if only you know how to use the contraption properly. The idea is based on the principle of whole-body vibrations which stimulate minute muscular contractions that can bring a host of health benefits.

If you’re considering the top vibration machines to buy you will have to consider the type of vibration that the device is offering. I found out that there are two mainstream types of vibrations produced by the movements of its platform. If the movements go in an up-and-down fashion more like a see-saw with a fulcrum at the centre it is known as oscillating vibration. If the movement of the platform is more on a vertical motion like an elevator or lift it is called a lineal type. The oscillating type is perfect for burning calories while the lineal type is ideal for muscle toning and strengthening.

I also found out that there are now two additional movements of vibrations used in more modern vibration machines. These include the 3D and 4D movements which can have greater benefits for the average user since we’re essentially talking about 3 or 4 different planes of motion in a single vibration.

So why should you even give a thought to vibration machines?

Remember what I said about the platform generating full-body vibrations? Well, it’s definitely like exercising except that you can be simply standing on the platform or even conveniently sitting on your couch with your feet firmly planted on the platform. This is the perfect exercise machine for those folks who dread going to the gym or who cannot afford a treadmill or an exercise bike or any other of those expensive exercise equipment that have a version for the home. It’s also ideal for folks like me who live in a rather cramped apartment where every square centimetre of floor space matters.

A quick review of literature told me that vibration machines are actually used in rehabilitation medicine as a means to improve the muscle tone of individuals or patients who are suffering from some kind of muscle disuse syndrome whereby the muscles have somehow lost their tone because of inactivity. At the very least, even if you are partially immobile, if you can get your feet or even your arms or any part of your body onto the platform, then it should be well and good.

Vibration machines are also ideal for those who would like to shed some weight. However, I must recommend mixing it with sensible eating because it really is no use standing on a vibrating platform hoping you’ll lose weight when you’re going to chow down double the calories that you’re going to burn. By the way, I learned that 10 minutes on the vibration machine is like an hour or so of walking or 30 minutes of running. So if you can stay on it for 30 minutes, you’ve run 1.5 hours and burned that much calories in the process.

Should you consider a vibration machine? If you’ve got a really hectic schedule yet would like to reap the many benefits of exercise without doing great effort, then you really have to have such a machine.