Mat classes are the most affordable way to get involved in Pilates. The exercise form is highly sought after and very popular due to the excellent benefits a practitioner obtains from it. Pilates is taught in almost every gym with a trained instructor correcting every move.
There are a few common mistakes to avoid while performing Pilates and it is essential to keep an eye out for them since your instructor might be busy with your co-students as well. For more information about Pilates join Tensegrity Training Melbourne.
Never going deep
Pilates helps you get in touch with the deep abs which is the transverse abdominals. This is very important since when the deepest lying abdomen muscles work, it means all the muscles are working. This makes for a stable torso. You must take this opportunity to train your entire set of abdominal muscles.
Start by every exhalation as an opportunity to re-engage the abdominal muscles and try pulling those inwards to your spine. Be careful to notice if your abs are protruding outwards which will have just the opposite result of what you are going for.
Momentum is not always your friend
There is a deliberate pause in Pilates, and it is because of the fact that the choreography maintains adequate workout and rest period for the muscles. Muscle fatigue will lead to injuries that will bring your workouts to a grinding halt.
Pilates is not really a race, and the slower you work, the more you stabilise your muscles and create isometric contractions. It is no wonder that before the term Pilates was coined this form of exercise was called the Contrology or the study of control.
Keeping your chin up
Mat classes usually involve a series of abdominal exercises, and you have to hold your head off the floor without any support. The key thing to remember while performing these exercises is that you are not supposed to point your chin towards heaven as if seeking divine help.
You should never be creating undue neck tension instead lower it towards your chest and hold the position. This head and neck position will help you in maintaining a rounded upper spine. If your upper abdominal muscles are weak, you will find it difficult to maintain the correct posture. So, make a note while you are performing these moves.
Don’t skip the scoop
While you will be working on your back, you should keep your back rounded, and the vertebrae should make contact with the floor. This scooping of the lower abs will round the lumbar spine and work them tremendously. This movement is not the same as tucking, but instead, you are using your abdominal muscles to lengthen your back instead.
Make sure your shoulders don’t rise
When you are on a reverse plank doing the leg pull back or the back stretching you must be careful to have your shoulders anchored down and not up by your ears. Hunched shoulders will mean undue tension in the areas of the neck and upper body. This bad posture will cause pain and stress.
So, that concludes our list of common mistakes to avoid on the mat while performing Pilates. We sincerely hope this article helps you in having a better experience.
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