Kick start your week

Here's our wellbeing idea for the week ahead.

This suggestion comes from Personal Trainer, Robb Henderson and if you like what you see, he reviews other classes on his blog or you can follow him on Twitter

For everyone trying to select a new fitness class - here are his tips on the differences between Pilates and Yoga:

PILATES OVERVIEW

Class Type: Strength & Flexibility

Duration: 60 mins

Average Calorie Burn: 200-300

Complexity/Difficulty: 6 to 9 out of 10

Class Size: 10-30 (varies depending on type/location)

Areas Worked: Whole Body

Equipment: None. Classes which use equipment such as stability balls etc they are provided – you may want to take your own mat. Wear loose clothing.

Music: Soothing & relaxing


A lot of people ask me what the difference is between Pilates & Yoga as at first glance they can appear very similar. Both classes have a focus on flexibility, strength, balance, posture and breathing techniques based on controlled movements and stretches but there are some differences:

Being rooted in meditative practices, Yoga has a more spiritual side that is often included within the class such as chanting and aligning your chakras. Pilates does not have this and has a more anatomical approach to body alignment

Pilates classes tend to be around 60 minutes, whereas Yoga class will usually last 75-90 minutes. Yoga concentrates more towards holding static poses for a number of breaths. Pilates is a little more dynamic in terms of movement.

As a newbie deciding between them – it’s best to give them both a try and see which you like best!

Pilates has a number of variations within it’s scope but the two main variations are either “mat based” or “Reformer”.

Mat based Pilates can either be “pure” – using various body weighted exercises and stretches or equipment such as bands, blocks or a stability ball and class sizes can vary between 10-30 people.

Reformer Pilates is a much smaller class – 5-10 people, due to the larger apparatus used as the exercises are performed on a specialist board that adds additional challenges and resistance to the routine. Finding a “Reformer” class can be harder to find due to the equipment size.

Pilates focuses on “6 principles” – Centering, Control, Flow, Breath, Precision and Concentration and so emphasises quality over quantity. As such, instead of doing large number of repetitions by completing each exercise fully with precision, you can gain better results.

One of the best things about Pilates is that it works well for a wide range of people. Athletes and dancers love it as much as seniors and people at various stages of physical rehabilitation.

If you’re looking to start Pilates it is well worth calling in advance to see what type of class it is and whether any equipment is used so that you can make a decision if it would be the right class for you – depending on your level of experience and comfort in using items such as a stability ball.

Needless to say in ALL classes the instructor will provide variations throughout the routine to cover beginners to advanced levels – so don’t worry too much about it, but if you do have or previously had a recent injury – let the instructor know before the start of the class so they can give you specific advice.

Looking for a class close to home?

For Pilates: 

http://www.starlightpilates.com/

http://www.pats-pilates.co.uk/

For Yoga:

http://yogalily.com/classes/

http://www.whitespacestudio.co.uk/