Pilates for Beginners

Posted on Mar 23, 2021


Pilates for Beginners


Different Types of Pilates | Benefits of Pilates | Myths About Pilates | Pilates Classes in Singapore

Pilates is a good start if you’re a newbie at fitness, specifically since Pilates exercises can be modified conveniently to suit a person’s physical condition and capabilities. Beginners Pilates can be for strength training, which is great for Pilates first-timers and people rehabilitating from injuries. But Pilates workouts also supplements cross-training in athletes, for added conditioning and stamina-building.

At its core, Pilates is a versatile fitness program that helps you MOVE and live life fuller. At Pilates Plus Singapore you’ll get to:

M – manage your body + mobilise your energy through strength training
O – overcome your limitations and optimise your productivity with improved flexibility
V – validate your needs and visualize your joy with the right breathing techniques
E – explore a new experience and enrich life with a new passion and a community behind it

Ready to take that first step to a healthy lifestyle but not sure where to start? Pilates for beginners is a good option, especially if hitting the gym or taking up a sport isn’t your thing. But if you want to be more adventurous and really get into the Pilates experience, then you might want to try Pilates Reformer.




Know why asiaone cites Pilates Plus among the most affordable Pilates studios in Singapore



Different Types of Pilates


Founded by Joseph Pilates in the late 1800s, Pilates offers a variety of stimulating training, comprising different variations of exercise, some of which are performed with or without equipment. Pilates has undergone transitions over the years but maintains its core principles of breathing, control, centering, and flow. Here are common types of Pilates to help you find one that works best for you:

Classical/Traditional Pilates

Classical/Traditional Pilates

Joseph Pilates first coined the term contrology to describe his sequence of 34 exercises—each flowing to the next in purposeful succession. Each exercise is executed in the exact sequence, in the designated number of repetitions (usually no more than six reps), before moving on to the next exercise. This type of Pilates may also involve the use of equipment.



Pilates Mat Exercises

Pilates Mat

Mat exercises are a good introduction to the world of Pilates. These are low-impact exercises that may involve the use of weights, balls, therabands, or rings. However, the movements are still based on the traditional Pilates system. First-timers and people suffering from back pain will benefit most from mat exercises because it focuses on strengthening the core.



Reformer Pilates

Reformer Pilates

This type of Pilates utilises a piece of equipment called the Reformer, which looks like a bed frame with a tension apparatus attached to it. The movements here are similar to mat Pilates but more challenging, given the added resistance from the various springs, straps, and ropes. As such, you burn more calories and build up more muscle strength.




Contemporary Pilates

Contemporary Pilates

As the name implies, this is a modern take on the classical system of Pilates. The exercises here are founded on contemporary research, including modern approaches to motor learning, rehabilitation, and biomechanics training. The movements are taught differently, depending on the instructor.






Stott Pilates

Stott Pilates

Stott Pilates was created in 1998 by Moira Stott-Merrithew, a former dancer. The exercises have sequences and movements that differ from the classical version. In traditional Pilates, the spine is pressed to the floor but in Stott’s version, the lower back is kept off the floor, maintaining the natural curvature.






Learn more about the Hystory of Pilates


Benefits of Pilates


The Pilates method is an effective full-body workout that strengthens and stretches the entire body to create a well-balanced physique. It also trains you in conscious breathing, which aids in stimulating blood circulation and minimising muscle cramping. 

The idea of Mr. Pilates’ 34-sequence method is such that it progressively warms up the body, challenges it with exertion, and cools it down gradually. Here are just some of the benefits of Pilates:

  • Enhanced Strength
  • Improved Posture
  • Better Balance
  • More Flexibility
  • Increased Muscle Tone
  • Healthier Joints/Ligaments
  • Aids in Weight Loss
  • Added Stamina/Energy
  • Optimised Breathing
  • Body-Mind Harmony
  • Improved Mobility
  • Increased Range of Motion
  • Stress Management




Know How to Get the Best Results from Pilates Classes



Myths About Pilates


Given the global health scare that we’re all going through, now’s the time to take that first step toward a work-life balance that puts body-mind fitness as a priority. So, if you aren’t sure where to start, and if hitting the gym or taking up a sport just doesn’t cut it for you, then why not give Pilates a try?

Pilates is an approach to conditioning developed over a hundred years ago by its founder Joseph H. Pilates, who first called it “contrology.” If you’re new to Pilates, chances are you’ve heard some misconceptions about it.

Let Pilates Plus Singapore bust those myths and give you the facts straight out. Here are some of the myths we are debunking:

Pilates is just another form of yoga

Pilates and yoga both work on building body strength, alignment and flexibility but they are not one and the same thing. Though some poses look similar to yoga, Pilates uses different movement and breathing techniques with different results. More importantly, yoga is limited to mat exercises while Pilates makes use of both mat and specialised equipment.

Pilates is only for fit and young people

People of all ages and levels of stamina can benefit from Pilates—even if you think you’re not athletic! People who aren’t interested in the usual gym exercises may find Pilates more engaging since classes are offered in varying degrees of physical capacity. It’s designed in such a way that you can go from a newbie to an advanced practitioner with regular practice.

Pilates is for women only

Most men do gym workouts and weights to build up their core and develop their muscles, which can also be achieved with Pilates exercises. Female and male athletes alike use Pilates as conditioning for all kinds of sporting activities, even extreme sports. Regardless of gender, Beginners Pilates is used by many to complement physical therapy or injury rehabilitation. [Read why Pilates is a Good Workout for Men]

Pilates is just another weight-loss program

Yes, the exercises help keep the weight off and stabilise your metabolism but Pilates does more than that. Aside from being a physical workout, Pilates is about achieving mind-and-body harmony, freedom of movement, and ultimately, a zest for life. Complemented with dietary and mental health guidance, Pilates can be a path to health, happiness, and new horizons.

Pilates classes are too expensive

Imagine signing up for a standard gym membership and finding out that you’re left to your own devices, figuring out for yourself what exercises to do and how to use the equipment. At Pilates Plus Singapore, we have instructors on hand to guide, motivate, and advise you—even for group classes. We’ve made our Introductory Pilates class accessible to all [at $75 (one time purchase only), 3 classes, non-reformer group classes] so everyone can join!




Find out more about The Traditional Joseph Pilates Program



Where to Get Pilates Classes in Singapore


Pilates Plus Singapore is the only Pilates and movement studio in Singapore that offers the Strength Pilates Series for both Mat and Reformer classes. The program is specifically designed to give you real results in strength gain, with our whole-body workouts.

Although group sessions are less expensive, we recommend taking private sessions if you’re a beginner. It’s because the essential techniques should be adjusted to suit your own needs and physical capabilities, and you have to get accustomed to the equipment.

For Pilates Plus, it’s not just a matter of taking classes, it’s about embarking on a journey to health and joyfulness, with our certified trainers as your guide. For us, Pilates is not just a profession but a passion. We’ve made our rates cost-efficient and relatively affordable because we want everyone to have the same life-changing experience that we do with Pilates.


Ready to begin your Pilates journey? Take that first step with Pilates Plus Singapore today!


Choose the Promo, Rates and Schedule that Work Best for YOU!