When it comes to health and fitness routines, everybody’s will look different. This is dependent on a number of different factors including individual goals, work schedules, body composition, lifestyle, training split and age just to name a few, which is why you should never compare yourself or your weekly fitness routine to anybody else. One of the most commonly asked questions we get is “How many Pilates classes should I do a week?” and while there’s no one-size-fits all answer to this question, as a baseline we would recommend a minimum of at least 3 per week to see and feel results.
As with anything, the more Pilates classes you do consistently each week, the better and faster you’ll see results. Unlike many other forms of higher impact exercise, Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that doesn’t place strain on your joints, so you’re far less likely to sustain injury or burnout.
As a general guide, Studio Pilates Educator and Qualified Physiotherapist James Mangahas recommends the below:
If you’re looking to supplement other forms of training:
1-2 classes per week is ideal if you’re looking to supplement your current training routine but don’t want to give up any of your other sessions. 1-2 classes will give you the benefit of working the muscles strongly but won’t impede performance in sports or the weights room. A lot of elite athletes including the likes of David Beckham, LeBron James and Tiger Woods utilize reformer Pilates at least once a week for this reason.
If you want the strength and toning benefits of Pilates:
3-4 classes per week is ideal for someone who wants the strength benefits of Pilates as it will provide your body with enough stimulus for the muscles to get stronger, leading to improvements in posture and fewer general aches and pains. This is ideal for the person who likes the extra variety of another session each week like a boxing class or a few runs/walks.
If you prefer low impact workouts
4+ classes per week is best for someone who finds that other forms of training are insufficient for them or they’re unable to do any high impact training, but they love to be strong. 4+ classes will give you plenty of time to build a strong body, but also for you to work on specific weaknesses.
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