Category: Fitness

What to Expect Before Joining Pilates Class

What to Expect Before Joining Pilates Class

by Debra Isaac

I’ve been away for quite some time because of personal reasons, but I’m glad to be back and ready to share my knowledge and insights with you all. During my time away, I’ve continued to pursue my interests in fitness, health, and wellness, and I have even gained new experiences and perspectives that I’m excited to share.

If you’re interested in attending your first Pilates in Ivanhoe, there are several things you should know to ensure you’re prepared and have a positive experience. As a fitness enthusiast who has tried Pilates before, I can offer insights into what you can expect during your first class.

Invest in Comfort

When it comes to gear, it’s important to choose comfortable, stretchy clothing that allows for a full range of motion. Note that doing Pilates in Ivanhoe can be quite warm temperature-wise due to the current weather so wear something appropriate. Tight-fitting clothes like leggings or yoga pants are ideal.

While most Pilates studios provide equipment like mats, blocks, and straps, it’s still a good idea to bring your own water bottle, towel, and any other personal items you may need. Note that there’s no need to wear shoes during Pilates but grip socks are ideal for safety purposes.

Mats are Best for Beginners

I find classes labelled “classic mat” to be a good starting point. They cover the fundamentals and follow an order that helps me become quickly familiar with every move. In mat sessions, we perform exercises on a thicker mat compared to a standard yoga mat to cushion pressure points.

In contrast, there are the reformer classes that use a machine with a sliding platform, stationary foot bar, springs, and pulleys that provide resistance.

Arrive Early

I suggest arriving early to let the instructor know it’s your first time using the equipment. This way, they can provide a quick tour and offer guidance. While some studios offer one-on-one instruction on the reformer, they can be quite expensive.

Do Not Ignore the Warm-up

Pilates classes typically begin with a warm-up consisting of gentle stretches to prepare your body for more challenging exercises. After the warm-up, you’ll move on to a series of exercises that target different muscle groups, including the core, legs, arms, and back.

Pilates exercises can be performed using bodyweight or equipment like Pilates balls or resistance bands. For beginners, however, a mat is often enough. A cool-down is also encouraged.

Prioritise Proper Breathing

Breathing techniques are an essential part of Pilates, and your instructor will guide you through specific breathing exercises that help engage your core muscles and maintain proper form. One common breathing technique is “rib cage breathing,” which involves inhaling deeply, expanding the rib cage, and exhaling slowly while contracting the core muscles.

Once proper breathing becomes second nature, all other benefits can follow. The benefits of Pilates are numerous, including improved posture, reduced back pain, increased flexibility, and enhanced overall body awareness. Pilates exercises can also help build lean muscle mass, improve balance and coordination, and reduce stress levels.

Communicate Your Issues

To ensure a successful first Pilates class, it’s important to listen to your body and take breaks as needed. It’s also crucial to communicate with your instructor and let them know about any injuries or concerns you may have.

Don’t try to be the hero and let them know if something is wrong. I generally like to introduce myself to the instructor and inform them of any health issues or injuries I have.

Drink Lots of Water

I learned quickly that staying hydrated is crucial, especially if I wanted to last the whole session. Bringing a water bottle and drinking regularly throughout the session is the key to maintaining proper form and getting the most out of the exercises.

Pilates workouts can be challenging, and it’s easy to sweat buckets in just a few minutes so having water on hand keeps me focused and energised. I always make sure to take small sips of water as needed and avoid drinking too much at once.

Prepare for 60 Minutes

A typical session usually lasts for an hour. To ensure a good view of the instructor, I recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early to secure a suitable spot. Try not to think too much about the time and just focus on the movement – this will help the time go faster.

In conclusion, Pilates is a challenging and rewarding form of exercise that can offer numerous benefits for your physical and mental well-being. By knowing what to expect and preparing accordingly, you can have a positive experience during your first Pilates class and continue to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

Benefits of Indoor Cricket on Your Mental Health

Benefits of Indoor Cricket on Your Mental Health

by Debra Isaac

Cricket is more than a game of batting balls and fielding. Far more than promoting endurance and firming up muscles, cricket has been proven to enhance the mental acuity of players in several ways. Truth be told, cricket is considered as Australia’s niche sport. It may be widely played across the world, yet the passion and allegiance to the sport is unlike the Aussie’s way. Fortunately, over the years, the sport has evolved to include an indoor format, which can be guiltlessly enjoyed even on rainy days. If the patriotic sense is strong in you and you’re looking for a physical outlet to destress, consider indoor cricket. Here’s how it helps benefit your mental health.

Practicing Grace Under Pressure

All competitive sports impose pressure on players. In the case of cricket, knowing how to proceed or what action to undertake when the ball is caught by the opposing team’s fielder requires strategy, right then and there. You cannot panic, lest you make wrong moves, faulty decisions. More so, in this game, each player is made more visible to the public because of the different roles and relatively wide grounds on which they are evenly spread compared to other sports. So the pressure to deliver is real. If you want a collaborative way to practice maintaining grace under pressure, I recommend playing indoor cricket.

Providing Cathartic Release

Psychologists nowadays are finding creative, less harmful means for angry people to displace their high-intensity emotions, besides wrecking properties, getting into vices, and shouting hurtful words. I know it sounds crazy but to a certain extent playing cricket gives me an avenue to de-stress and displace my anger or worries on the ball. Mind you, batting a ball right on target can sometimes be a psychological relief, especially when you imagine that a ball is an enemy, a problem, or even a goal. Of course, I won’t recommend doing so during the actual game, instead during practice, possibly with a machine-assisted ball feeder. Some indoor cricket stadiums in Melbourne have advanced facilities that you can take advantage of.

Increases Self-Confidence

Here, I’ll explain confidence in two layers – confidence due to the positive physical change and improvement in performance. An indoor cricket demands agility, precision, and endurance, particularly that during rehearsals you may be trained to play either the role of a bowler or a fielder. The game demands that you run, sprint, bat, catch, and then run again. Things can also get pretty intense when the crowd runs wild with their cheers. Basically, I’m saying that losing weight and getting in shape becomes way easier with indoor cricket. For us women, managing our weight well and staying attractive is already a milestone. 

Secondly, a female cricket player becomes even more confident in her performance at work or generally in life because the game gives you the avenue to score runs regardless of the attempts. Psychologically, this helps a person thrive through difficulties and continuously forge on until an accomplishment is made.

Increases Focus

Lastly, playing cricket increases your focus. They say that successful people are those who have their eyes on a goal and get things through the bitter end. In a typical cricket game, both focus and perseverance are being tested. The mere act of hitting a ball already necessitates concentration, even more so when you have to guard a wicket amidst nuisances.

Indoor cricket also brings a host of physical benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and endurance. You, therefore, not only have fun but also take good care of your health and foster social relations. In Australia, you will not have a difficult time finding women’s cricket clubs as cricket is our forte like chocolate is to the Swiss. I encourage you to try playing and know where I am coming from.

Exploring The Right Treadmill For Your Home

Exploring The Right Treadmill For Your Home

by Debra Isaac

Treadmills are a great way to keep your heart pumping. It’s also the best way to break a sweat when you want to lay off the calories you’ve eaten. 

Having a treadmill at home is one of the best investments you can do for your health. There are times when you won’t be able to go to the gym because it’s raining or the nearest gym is miles away. In case one of those things happen, you at least have this gym equipment that will keep you healthy even on lazy days. 

So how do you choose the best treadmill for you? Consider the following factors when buying:

Budget

The first on the list of factors is budget. Before you even go treadmill shopping, you should first know how much you are willing to spend on a treadmill. Unlike the other factors, your budget is non-negotiable. This means that even if you are eyeing this top-of-the-line treadmill but you don’t have the cash for it, then it should be ruled out of your options. 

At the same time, research on the average price of a treadmill based on brand and quality. This will help you get an idea of how much you have to shell out so that you don’t end up being surprised at the equipment store. 

Space

Similar to your budget, the available space in your home should be considered because the space in your house remains the same unless you rearrange all your things. If you have limited space, then you should consider looking for foldable treadmills that are also lightweight. Although they are more expensive than the standard ones, they can be a great advantage for homes with limited space. 

Speed and incline

The speed and incline are factors you should also consider. If you plan on using your treadmill for running, then look for one that can go up to 10 mph in speed. A good treadmill also has at least a 10% incline. On the other hand, if you are training for running outdoors, the treadmill should be able to have a decline feature. 

Added features

Added features affect the price of the treadmill. The more extra features it has, the more expensive it will be. Valuable features to have are sensors that check your heart rate and the number of calories you’ve burned. This will help those who are on a weight loss program since the tracking is done in real time. Moreover, there are features that offer different running and walking modes depending on the goal of your exercise.

There are some treadmills that have jug holders and entertainment systems that make it easier for people to exercise. If you’re on a budget, what you can do is look for a rod where you can attach your phone or tablet, or simply face the treadmill towards the television. 

Design

Last but not the least is the design. Some people think that it does not matter how the treadmill looks as long as it serves its purpose. However, when your treadmill looks sleek and inviting, the chances of you getting on that equipment is higher. 

Take, for example, buying a pink treadmill in Australia. Some would think that it’s vanity speaking when you want your treadmill to look a certain color. But there are treadmills that go beyond the aesthetic. Behind that pink color could be features made specifically for women who use treadmills. 

Buying a treadmill should not be difficult. With so many options to choose from, it will only take you a few moments to decide especially when you already know what kind of equipment you are looking for. Besides, when you’ve narrowed down your choices based on the factors mentioned, then it’s going to be a relatively easy decision to make.