The Joy of Pilates

Increased flexibility, incredible core strength, enhanced endurance and great for creating a long and lean body too! Who doesn't strive for these?

Don't underestimate the benefits of practicing pilates as there are many and often more than meets the eye including stress reduction, injury prevention and rehabilitation and better mind and body connection.

If you have ever attended a large Pilates class and been stuck at the back wondering if you are doing the exercises correctly and struggled to locate your 'core' or even know what it truly is or how it works in conjunction with the exercises and everyday life, then trying a small group (2-6 people) or one-to-one sessions with a Pilates instructor could be just right for you.

To truly gain the benefits of Pilates really going back to the very principles at the heart of this amazing art is essential and from there progress can be made to identify and address weaknesses and build more challenging exercises into the sessions when you are ready. 

What we love about Pilates is that it is such an inclusive form of exercise whatever your age, fitness or experience , there is always a range of exercises and adaptions that are possible. 

Set some 'me time' aside and explore the joy of Pilates. 

Red Hot Personal Training and Pilates offers tailored one-to-one or small group Pilates sessions carried out in your own home, work or local park to help you realise the true Joy of Pilates.

How 'Blue Space' can benefit you

We have often talked about the benefits of being outside for a healthy mind and body and achieving the balance between high intensity and lower impact exercise.  On those essential recovery days that your body requires to rest and repair from more intense activities, why not benefit from so called 'blue space'.

Much like the benefits of being amongst 'green space', 'blue space' (including seas, rivers, lakes and larger ponds) is said to have a great impact on our health and wellbeing.  

Anyone who has taken a long walk (or even sat and read a book) along the seafront or around a beautiful lake knows that calming and de-stressing effect it can have on you and a more relaxed body and mind will be better prepared to endure those more strenuous exercise sessions that really push you to your limits!

Try it and make a mental note of how you feel afterwards!

If you feel someone you know could benefit from this advice don't forget to hit the 'share' button. 

How to Make Exercise Part of your Life......

To truly live a healthy long life, incorporating healthy food and daily exercise into your life is essential.  Try these 3 tips below to help you achieve just that.

1. Focus on how good you will feel after working out both physically and mentally.  View exercise as a positive, restorative activity and your brain will see it as a reward rather than a chore.

2. A workout does not have to be traditional such as an hour at the gym.  Just keep your body moving. A brisk 20 minute run or walk outside, a few fast lengths at the pool, even vigorous gardening all count.  Just do what you enjoy and put some effort into it. Research studies into the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, or 'forest bathing' suggest that exercising outdoors in a wood or forest can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol by 12.4 per cent more than an urban walk . This may be due to the chemicals (phytoncides) released by trees and plants.

3. Need some help and motivation?  Hire a Personal Trainer (PT)!  A good PT will listen to your fitness and nutritional goals and be able to design a unique training programme that will work around your lifestyle and barriers.  If you need motivation, the encouragement of your PT will be invaluable, offering continual support and advice along the way.