The secret to your Pilates success as a beginner…

I have 3 Pilates secrets for you! 

  • Absolutely every Pilates workout you do is designed to be a total body workout that strengthens your core the entire time! Who doesn’t want that?
  • The absolute key to progressing quickly and safely is in how you do the exercises.  
  • This is the big one…Using the Pilates equipment can speed up your progress toward more strength, flexibility and balance in your body because of it’s genius design!   Here’s how:
  1. The equipment is designed to help you get your body into positions where you are able to safely stabilize your body using your core muscles without overworking or injuring muscles. Here’s an example:  Have you ever laid down with your legs up in space over your hips?  For many this position feels impossible to be in and can even hurt their back.  The Pilates springs can be used to support the legs in this position so that the core muscles can effectively stabilize the spine against the mat(this means your back does not hurt!) and then a variety of whole body strengthening exercises can be done in this position. After using the equipment to gain strength and balance, eventually you will be able to do these type of exercises without the springs!
  2. The equipment is designed to help you find a balanced alignment in your body.  Alignment is very important in Pilates because results come quickest when we can perform the exercises in alignment creating uniform strength and flexibility in our muscles.  Because our movement patterns over time shape our alignment it is often hard to tell if you are in proper alignment without looking in a mirror or having someone else tell you. Laying on the center of Pilates reformer automatically brings your head, neck and shoulders into alignment and you can easily bring your legs into alignment on the center of the foot bar.  The equipment supports you so you can maintain this alignment throughout exercises.  This  alignment makes the leg press type exercise we do called Footwork  so much more effective than a traditional leg press because you are recruiting muscles evenly and in a balanced way.   
  3. The equipment design allows for endless possibilities to strengthen your whole body in a safe way. You will be amazed at the ways you can strengthen your whole body and especially those core muscles without feeling liked you are straining, struggling or hurting yourself!  There is no boredom of movements in Pilates class!  

If you are looking to start a Pilates practice and are excited to feel results in how your body feels as quickly as possible you’ll definitely want to add some regular equipment classes into your regular routine! Schedule a complimentary private session to get started at the studio and we’ll give you an introduction to how you could use the Pilates equipment in your life! 

Is a Pilates studio full of “exercise people” ?

At Rivercity Pilates, most of our clients consider themselves non-exercise people!

Are you an exercise person?  I define an “exercise person” as a person who naturally enjoys movement and adds it into their life on a regular basis.  You know….the person who likes to train for a race, maybe even conquered a marathon or a 50 mile bike ride. Those people that ride their bike to work everyday, walk their dog daily rain or shine and maybe even have a daily workout routine. Maybe it’s the person who is always posting pictures of their favorite scene on their bike ride or run on Facebook and checking into their gym on Facebook because they loved their workout so much…

If you are not an “exercise person” I have some great news for you……many of our our regular clients at the studio are not either.  We definitely have some “exercise people” at our studio who are very active doing things like running, cycling, swimming, etc. in their life.  These people will use Pilates, Barre or Yoga to cross train their bodies and help keep them balanced.  What we find is that because so many “exercise people” are naturally good at working out on their own they don’t really make up the bulk of our regulars at the studio.   

Most of our regulars at the studio would probably not call themselves “exercise people”.  In fact, this is the very reason they sign up for regular classes…they know that if they were to just try to exercise on their own…they probably wouldn’t do it!  Most of our “non exercise people” regulars tell us they love that all they have to do is sign up for a class and show up.  They know and trust that if they can get here our instructors will take them through a great, safe workout in their body and they will feel amazing afterwards.  They love the accountability that is created when they attend regularly and their instructor gets to know them and their goals.  They love that they create friendships with other “non exercise people” and those friendships inspire them to keep showing up! 

If worrying about being in a room full of “exercise people” was one of the reasons you’ve been putting off trying Pilates.…cross that excuse off your list and contact us today to schedule your complimentary one on one session to get introduced to Pilates and the studio!! 

June Life Inspired – Pilates for Cyclists

Life Inspired Pilates for Cyclists!

with Carey Sadler

Sunday,  June 24th  –  6 to 7:30 pm

Life Inspired is a monthly free community event! We’ll start this class by highlighting why Pilates can be a great exercise method for cyclists and then go through a Pilates Mat workout that is geared toward balancing out the work your body does when cycling! Beginners welcome!

Stay after for wine and chocolate!!

This is a free event but space is limited so please sign up using our online scheduling or call us at 319.665.2499 or email us at rcpilates1@gmail.comto reserve your spot!!
 Invite your friends to this free class after class join us for a fun social time!
Beverages and treats provided!
To sign up: Click Here!

 

5 Reasons to Join the Pilates Teacher Training Program at Rivercity Pilates

1. Inspire others to add more healthy movement into their life.  
2. You can’t teach Pilates without doing it in your own body (keeps you committed to your own Pilates practice).
3. You can teach Pilates anywhere in the world. Teach at the local gym, rec center, or at a studio near you!
4. “Stretchy Pants” are standard uniform for Pilates teachers.
5.   Do something you love and are passionate about!
 
Our Pilates Mat Teacher training module starts soon and we’d love to have you join us!! Check out our website for details or contact us to set up a time to come in and talk about program details with Carey!!
Learn more about the details of the program by clicking  here.

Open House at Rivercity Pilates – Get your nails on !!

Color Street Nails Open House with Cyndi Kindred

Saturday, June 16 —   8:30 to Noon

Join us for some fun decorating your fingernails!

Color Street nail strips are made in the USA out of finger nail polish and are very easy to apply.  They come in all kinds of fun colors and designs, including lots of sparkles!!

Cyndi Kindred, Color Street Stylist will be happy to share with you some samples and how to apply to your nail.

June Video of the Month – Hips and Legs

Video of the Month

 
Feeling tight in your hips and legs?  Grab your theraband or fitness band and try this series designed to create mobility and flexibility in your legs and hips!