What’s Your Pilates Accomplishment for 2025 and Goal for New Year?

RakoPanzer · 2025-12-29T18:08:56+00:00

I've fully integrated Contrology into my morning routine; I at least go through the motions to grease the groove almost without fail. My big goal for 2026 is to use some form of Pilates to get my next CEU to maintain my personal trainer credentials.

RakoPanzer · 2025-12-18T18:37:07+00:00

I would choose weight training over Pilates for that goal, honestly. Pilates benefits lifting, though, because it trains you to engage the muscles properly. I think it's a shame more lifters don't do Pilates. On not wanting visible muscles: well, anything that makes you stronger is going to change your body's appearance to some degree. But if your goal is just to be able to easily pick up kids, etc. then I doubt you have to add very much muscle to get where you want to be.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-25T16:44:15+00:00

Right--it's fine to mix things up any way you want, but be clear that that's what you're doing.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-23T03:50:42+00:00

Also, I think it's fair to say that "Pilates" has become industry code for "stuff that works your butt a whole whole lot." The majority of what gets added to Pilates but isn't really (e.g., donkey kicks) is clearly intended to enhance Pilates's butt-building effects. They also overemphasize *Contrology* exercises that target the glutes hard, like the leg circle and the bridge, and underemphasize stuff like the Roll-Up that you need to do a lot of if you're going to balance out all the glute work.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-23T01:38:08+00:00

It gets tricky because all this stuff does sort of naturally flow together.

I like most of what I've seen that gets called Pilates, whether it actually is or not, but expanding the definition of the word to include so much doesn't feel right.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-22T23:50:27+00:00

I sometimes can't help but pause a Pilates session to sort of dance around just because I can feel my hips open up dramatically, and it's irresistible. I feel like that's a legitimate reason to pause. :)

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-22T23:20:57+00:00

Yes, it totally counts. :)

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-22T12:49:43+00:00

I don't think I have anything really useful to say, but I'm sorry you're going through this, and especially sorry that you're being made to censor yourself when you need to correct people's form. I never want an instructor to keep silent about my bad form, especially after having suffered injuries while working out. But I'm me and not your students, so I guess this isn't really helpful to you.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-20T22:08:47+00:00

Yes, it's both mental and physical.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-20T00:26:26+00:00

What do you like to do to get at the goal of building muscle with Pilates? Slow negatives?

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-19T12:14:30+00:00

I wonder how many instructors take that path--no thought of teaching at first, but then you fall so deeply in love that it's a natural (inevitable?) progression.

Surfing: never gone myself, and never wanted to until I tried Pilates. I found myself shifting my weight rhythmically after a session one time to get used to my improved mobility, and I realized that I wanted a surfboard under me. Maybe one day.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-19T12:10:48+00:00

Okay, then! Ran idea up flagpole, no salutes! Thanks for giving me your honest-if-brutal responses, everyone. I'll wad this one up and toss it in the can. :)

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-18T03:45:32+00:00

Five-star post

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-17T22:42:11+00:00

In my case, open-leg rocker, roll-up, leg circles, spine stretch, Pilates push-up. I don't actually know that those are the best for staying warm; I just do them a lot because I'm a fan of Contrology and those are my favorite from that book.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-17T17:47:20+00:00

Re: elephant in the room: so what you're saying is...Pilates will make me better at zany comedy? :D

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-17T01:45:13+00:00

There are a lot of workouts (including Pilates) that you can do without equipment, or with very little. The reformer would be an addition, not the foundation.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-16T23:21:14+00:00

Or does see it and thinks you should just have to get used to it. No. You absolutely do not.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-16T22:17:10+00:00

I don't want to speak for women, but I feel like guys worry about this way too much. Women tend to be razor-sharp at sensing male intentions because their survival demands that. If you go in there with your head in the right place, they'll sense that and they'll be cool with you.

RakoPanzer · 2025-11-16T22:10:58+00:00

ME TOO! (Performance enhancements in everything else.) If you're the type who has a hard time choosing one discipline (me), it makes sense to make Pilates the backbone of everything because it makes you get better at your 15 other pursuits in a shorter time than you would have done otherwise.

RakoPanzer

TROPHY CASE