Where I get my Pilates Apparel
Hey it’s been a while! I want to talk to you about Pilates clothing. There are so many variables about there and after doing what I do for more than 10 years I have whittled my favourites down to a few but want to give my honest opinion on some of the others you may have seen online.
Alo Yoga – I have two matching sets from Alo plus some lovely longer length tanks. I would say that they are all lovely and soft with breathable fibres in gorgeous colouring. All the tops are padded and I feel super secure in them. Great for yoga, Pilates, meditation, gentle walks and look great for coffee.
Pricey but wash and wear well! 8/10
Lilybod – This is an Australian brand with some really cute styles that I haven’t seen before and I like things being a little different. I have two pairs of leggings from Lilybod both of which feel good, look good and don’t make me feel to sweaty when I move. Keep your eyes peeled for the sales which happen frequently.
Mid priced and bargains can be found 7/10
Blakley – I have two sets from Blakley which are fairly new purchases. I ordered them because I prefer to wear a longer length tank which skims the top of the pants. They look nice, lovely soft breathable fabric much like Alo but what is disappointing is the pants slip down very easily and I feel like they don’t have a lot of give in them. I am constantly pulling the pants up and the top down which is a little distracting when teaching. I really want to like them as they look good when you initially put them on but if your moving around a lot I don’t think they are too comfortable.
Mid Priced 5/10
Gym Shark – So this is by far my favourite brand not only for Pilates but all sports. I have soooo many items from Gym Shark but the leggings I just love. They have a huge variety of colours, designs and styles and in most cases are high waisted but without that awful thick double waist band other brands have and they pass the squat test with flying colours. They stay put when you move, look great and absorb sweat well. I would 100% recommend Gym Shark for all sports.
Low – Mid priced but excellent quality 10/10
HOW DO I STOP BACK PAIN COMING BACK? Pardon the pun!
So, once we are over the worst, how can we stop this awful pain from coming back? Well, Pilates is most definitely your answer over and above any other kind of exercise, especially to start with. Everyone can benefit from Pilates whatever, age, level or ability and most certainly those with troublesome backs.
As a globe we love to work those tummy muscles because we all want a trim tummy, right? But what about the muscles surrounding the spine? They don’t even get a look in most of the time! These are the muscles which will aid your posture into your old age and without those strong muscles supporting your spinal column you may possibly find yourself in the “PAIN ZONE” where nobody wants to be!
Pilates is a comprehensive and full body workout. I know what your thinking, she’s biased, but I’ve seen it first hand, how Pilates can change a persons life for the better. Pilates is considered safe in its approach if taught correctly. Every move is controlled and has its own individual purpose. It can aid your recovery from back pain, and can prevent it from ever darkening your door again! There are so many fabulous back strengthening exercises which I’ll put money on, your never see those gym bunnies knocking out during their mat work section!
So please do yourself a favour and introduce Pilates into your weekly routine. Even if you can only manage short 20 minute sessions if will definitely help in the long run. I work with many clients suffering with back pain and the benefits they have gleaned from their workouts with me is pleasing to say the least.
Pilates Factory On Demand has a section suitable for those suffering with back pain or those wanting to prevent it. If you want to check it out and start your Pilates journey check out my Reset and Restore classes On Demand or perhaps take a look at my YouTube channel first x
How do I resolve back pain?
So here I am back (finally) for part 2 of the IS PILATES GOOD FOR BACK PAIN question?
Well I touched on this in my last blog post, so you already have an inkling but yes, the answer is to keep on moving. No matter how much it hurts! By staying still and waiting to ride out the pain you are really not doing yourself any favours. Keep the body moving, adding in all movements of the spine that is it capable of, even if all you can manage is a tiny little movement, it will all help to stop the area of concern freezing up completely. Imagine your body like a car engine. It needs oil to keep it moving well. Our bodies are exactly the same. All our joints produce their own version of oil by way of Synovial fluid and it’s this fluid that enables freedom and ease of movement. Final piece in my next blog!
Is Pilates Good for Back Pain?
Is Pilates Good for Bad Back?
Is Pilates good for back pain?
Hello, welcome to blog number 2! I hope you are all doing well. I’ve been asked so many questions in my time as a Pilates teacher but this one in my title is one which crops up all the time, IS PILATES GOOD FOR BACK PAIN???? So, I thought I would take a moment to give my answer and my opinion to you.
Well, in short my answer is 100% YES!!! And let me tell you why. Around 80% of the UK population will suffer with backpain in their lifetime. The majority of this backpain will be short term which will need minor intervention from a Chiropractor/Osteopath or resolve itself within a few days/weeks, however, why do we get back pain, how to we resolve it and how can we stop it from happening again??? So, let me answer each one individually.
Why do we get back pain?
Most back pain results in a lower back niggle or a trapped nerve creating sciatica which I agree is totally agonising but not life threatening. These types of problems might come from an accident, maybe part of the ageing process but most likely to be as a symptom of a sedentary lifestyle.
Keep your body moving!
What we as humans tend to do in this situation is stop moving, rest up and wait for it to go which I have to tell you is one of the worst things you can do!!!! You must keep on moving no matter how painful. We have this in-built sense called fear avoidance which opens all a whole new topic of conversation but basically, once we are in the cycle of “back pain” we then tend to avoid any type of movement which “we think” may trigger the pain again and we overestimate what the pain could be like in the future so we end up in an even further static lifestyle. You’ve seen those images of people walking along gingerly holding their lower backs, sitting down with care?! Well those are the ones I’m talking about.
There is so much I can say on this topic so part two will follow soon! Keep em peeled!
Pilatesfactory.co.uk
My lovely new On Demand Website
New Pilates Factory On Demand Website
My First Blog! Eeeekkkk! Well what an exciting month it has been since Pilates Factory On Demand has launched. We’ve been operational now for 4 weeks and so many lovely people have signed up to take advantage of the fast growing Pilates library for which I am super grateful.
I have become very disciplined of when I record and upload the classes which appears to have fallen on a Wednesday and Thursday and I’m loving putting together new challenging classes for the 3 levels with progressions each week to keep the classes ever interesting.
I’m on my Summer break now but the On Demand classes will continue to be added right the way through summer and beyond!
I’m constantly thinking of how to evolve and what else I can offer so have introduced some Cardio Pilates, Barre Fusion and Tabata style Pilates too! Why not! It’s great to keep things fresh!
I am hoping to grow my Pilates Factory with Emma YouTube channel too in the near future so please keep your eyes peeled there too!
For now, I just hope when I click save that this Blog actually posts! Here goes!
Happy Summer and keep your bodies moving! xxxx