Click here to get more.
Although it may seem unusual, there are some legitimate reasons why people might want to exercise in bed. Before you dismiss the possibility out of hand, consider the following scenarios:
'You are staying in a hotel without a fitness center or a pool, and you are quite unfamiliar with the area. You don't want to miss your workout again.
'You are just getting over a cold or other energy-zapping illness. The symptoms are subsiding, but you know that your normal workout routine would not leave you enough energy to get on with the rest of the day's activities.
'It's a rainy Monday morning and all you want to do is shut off the alarm clock and crawl back under the covers. Or it's Saturday morning, and you have just slept in and want to stay in bed as long as possible.
'Your last pair of yoga pants hit the hamper yesterday, and you can't go to the gym in your kitty cat PJs before heading to the laundromat.
'Your gym is closed for a rat infestation, a visit from a presidential candidate, or because the owner eloped and left for the honeymoon. Hey, it could happen!
There are definitely times when working out in bed might look like a good idea, or just a welcome break from the usual routine. But can you really get a decent workout in bed? Can someone even do Pilates on a mattress?
Benefits of Exercising in Bed
Believe it or not, it is possible to use only your mattress to do a Pilates workout. According to celebrity Pilates instructor Erika Bloom, who has developed such a workout, 'The bed is a great, easy place to get a toning, lengthening workout using just your body weight.'
Turns out your mattress can function much like a Pilates Mat, with the extra spring giving a bit more resistance for exercises like the Bridge or the Flight position, which stretches the back muscles. The extra padding may even allow those with back and hip problems to find relief from the pressure a thin mat on a hard floor can put on sore muscles.
A Few Cautions
Those with injuries or chronic pain should be sure not to attempt any workout without their doctor's okay. Also, pregnant women on bed rest may be tempted to try working out in bed, but it probably isn't a good idea unless your obstetrician suggests it.
Workouts done entirely in bed will necessarily be limited; you probably won't get much cardio benefit from this type of workout. But for those mornings when circumstances and/or your own lousy attitude don't seem to be favoring a workout, it may be worth considering a bed workout rather than scrapping the idea of a workout entirely.
Final Thoughts
As many trainers will tell you, any workout, no matter how easy or mild, is better than none at all. Working out in bed may be enough to keep your muscles and joints limber in between gym workouts and may prevent you from losing ground in meeting your fitness goals.
Pilates Sports Center offers a full schedule of Pilates classes from beginner to expert, as well as teacher training programs up to and including PMA certification.
photo source: Flickr
Tags: exercise routine, fitness dvd, home workout, mat pilates, pilates dvds, pilates sports center, pilates workout, workout dvd
If you're new to Pilates, there's a good chance you've been enticed by Reformer Pilates classes, now readily available in most Pilates studios and upscale gyms around the globe. Although Pilates practitioners love the Reformer for its countless benefits, which range from increased core strength and better posture to decreased back and joint pain, Joseph Pilates originally created it by rigging springs to hospital beds, to help rehabilitate internees on the Isle of Man during WWI.
The magic of the Reformer - which is essentially a sliding carriage that moves by way of a pulley system - is that it offers a combination of resistance and support for the body. "The Reformer uses springs to add varying degrees of tension and resistance to workouts and exercises, which helps to strengthen and lengthen the muscles at the same time," explains Erika Quest, PMA-CPT, a Pilates and fitness instructor, and the owner of Studio Q in Laguna Beach. "It offers one of the most superior ways to balance the right amount of mobility and stability in all the different body positions available."
Although nothing can replace the Pilates Mat exercises, which require you to use your own body weight as resistance, experts agree that the Reformer has a slight edge when it comes to its effectiveness. Cases in point: A study found that the Pilates Reformer exercises delivered faster results for clients suffering from low-back pain than the Mat exercises alone. Another study published a year later in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine came to a similar conclusion. (For the record, Erika says that she agrees on an anecdotal level, but that her students typically benefit most from a combo of both Reformer and Mat exercises.)
Another reason the Reformer might have a leg up on the Mat: It's a boon for those recovering from injury or seeking to prevent one from occurring in the first place. "The Reformer is a fantastic way to move while lying on your back and in a non-weight-bearing position," which is particularly helpful for someone with an injury, Erika says. "The moving carriage, which offers both feedback and instability, also adds the benefit of challenging balance and spatial awareness because it changes your center of gravity."
But before you book your first class on a Pilates machine, here's a primer on what to expect. After all, preparation is key! Already have some (or lots) of Reformer experience? Steal Erika's tips for fine-tuning some of the classic movements.
It's important that the instructor can see your body shape, and how your joint and muscles are moving, Erika says. If you're wearing a billowy tank or basketball shorts, it makes it harder for the teacher to see and correct your alignment.
Take note: too little clothing can work against you, too. The last thing you want is to give your fellow movers an unexpected show. #awkward
Although you might be coming from a gym environment and used to wearing sneakers while you work out, Pilates is meant to be done barefoot, or, if hygiene is a concern (i.e., you're working out in a studio), with socks. But any old pair won't do. "Wear sticky socks so you don't slip on the equipment," advises Erika.
gymfrog Product Page
Pilates Reformer class is not a workout where you can just zone out and "muscle" through the movements. "Be mindful of the fact that you're dealing with a moving piece of equipment and springs," Erika says. "Pay keen attention to what your instructor guides you to do," which, will not only keep you safe, but it's also key to activating the proper muscles and getting the results you're looking for.
Always let your instructor know how your body's doing before and during the session. "Make sure you're in constant communication with your teacher about how things feel, and whether the spring tension feels okay. If something is hurting, let your teacher know."
Although many workouts call for speed, the Pilates Reformer work asks you to slow down. "If you move too fast, you can ricochet the carriage on the Reformer," a total newbie move.
Erika says it best: "The Reformer helped me understand why quality is more important than quantity. You can't just bang out 150 reps. That's not what it's about. Be prepared to do fewer reps, knowing it doesn't mean your workout is going to be easier."
"There's a notion that the Reformer is 'some crazy device that's scary' or it won't work for me. Or that it's for dancers or physical therapists. But it's not, it's for everyone."
Have access to a Reformer? We're totally jealous! (And can we come over?!)
Although it's highly recommended that you work with a qualified Pilates teacher before hopping on board for the first time, websites like Pilates Anytime offer plenty of Pilates videos with
Although it's highly recommended that you work with a qualified Pilates teacher before hopping on board for the first time, websites like Pilates Anytime offer plenty of Pilates videos with tips and tutorials for intermediate and advanced practitioners accustomed to working on the apparatus.
Regardless of where you are in your Reformer practice, read on for some quickie Reformer routines and movement pointers from Erika. In Pilates, those little adjustments and tweaks can make all the difference!
"A beginner routine should be an intro to some of the basics and themes," Erika explains. "You're setting a foundation for what you'll continue to do and improve upon and change." Below, some basic (but anything but easy!) movements:
Footwork Key benefits: Improves leg alignment, gait, lower-body strength and power Erika's tips:
Hundred Prep Key benefits: Integrates the lower/upper body with the core Erika's tips:
Feet in Straps (one of Erika's personal favorites) Key benefits: Promotes circumduction and mobility of the hips and the lumbo-pelvic region Erika's tips:
Basic Spinal Articulation (Bridging) Key benefit: Increases mobility in the spine Erika's tips:
Arms Supine Key benefits: Works on upper-body strength and balance Erika's tips:
Here, you'll add in different components and body positions (e.g., standing, kneeling) to what you learned as a beginner. Sample movements:
Long Stretch Key benefit: Promotes full-body integration Erika's tips:
Pulling Straps Key benefit: Activates the postural muscles and deep longitudinal system Erika's tips:
Finally, you'll take the work "to the pinnacle of what you can do with it," Erika says. A few exercises to expect:
Snake/Twist
Key benefit: Promotes full-body integration Erika's tips:
Key benefit: Promotes full-body integration Erika's tips:
Control Balance Front/Back Key benefit: Promotes full-body integration Erika's tips:
Side Sit Ups (or Side Overs) Key benefit: Promotes full-body integration Erika's tips:
Rotation and Standing Work Key benefit: Promotes full-body integration Erika's tips:
Want more? Try Erika's super-challenging workout with BOSU!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of pilates bed exercises. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.