Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Pilates

Pilates is not at all popular in Nigeria. In my time here, I have searched for a gym that offered classes. Pilates lengthens and strengthens the body. It especially focuses on developing core strength (i.e. in your back and stomach area).

I tried it for the first time in 1999 and absolutely hated it. Infact, I think I fell asleep in the class. It was that boring. Fast-forward 3 or 4 years and I heard of so many celebrities who swore by Pilates. I don't have to do something just because a celebrity is doing it. However, most of them did have fabulous bodies. So, what the hell? I could at least give it a try.

I bought a tape of basic-level Pilates and worked out to it at home. I was intrigued and over the next few months, bought many more. Eventually I found a gym near my job that offered Pilates. By then I was hooked. Pilates does deliver what it offers, but you have to stick with it. It doesn't involve a lot of jumping around like Step or many forms of aerobic exercises, so you might feel like your body isn't really being exercised. Never fear! As you advance and move on to more advanced classes, the pace quickens and a session can leave you as breathless as an aerobic class. You also start to develop a lot of overall tone, especially in the stomach area.

So why this spiel? Well, today I finally found somewhere that does offer Pilates (Bodyworks in Ikoyi). Well, I actually discovered it two months ago, but the procastinator that I am, I only got around to trying it out today. I really enjoy Pilates and am so glad to have it back in my life.

5 comments:

adefunke said...

interesting that you should mention this, I actually tried it out for the first time last year in a bid to work on my flexibility (don't ask). I had read enough about it (and seen the proof in pictures) and I was lucky that the gym I used at the time had an instructor who taught a class. Somehow I was not as faithful a student of fitness as I am now and I never had more than the one class. Now I am considering joining a class in January when I move.

Ore said...

What gym did you belong to that offered Pilates?

adefunke said...

Blue Island in Lekki

Pilgrimage to Self said...

I joined a Pilates class at the beginning of September with the foolish notion that it would be nice, relaxing and non-strenuous - it's only a bit of gentle stretching afterall. I couldn't have been more wrong. At the end of the first class I was a mass of aches and pains - I was feeling pain in muscles I didn't even know existed! And then I discovered I was pregnant and so stopped as I didn't want to put myself at risk - even though they assured me it was fine to carry on, I decided to listen to my body instead and give it a break.

I'm looking forward to starting again after the birth of baby in June.

I must add Ore that you lead a very full and interesting life - very much at contrast from the moans I get off friends of how boring Nigeria/Lagos is. I guess it's up to the individual to create the fun, and that's exactly what you are doing!! I admire you!

PS: I have been trying to post this comment for the last ten days!!!

Ore said...

LOL! I'm glad that you were finally able to post (btw, how's the beta working out for you?)

I had a Pilates class today and I don't know how I stayed away so long. I had so much fun. I've been doing a lot of step lately but while that's good aerobic exercise it's not that great for toning.

You were probably right to listen to your body. From what I've read, while you're pregnant you should not be exerting yourself.

Re: leading an interesting life, I don't know..... a lot of times, life feels so routine, you know work and home and gym. Maybe it just reads good on paper or maybe I'm not appreciating it enough. Thanks for the reminder.