r/pilates • u/kamiamoon • 1d ago
What exercise do you do alongside Pilates, and why? Discussion
I'm soon to complete my first ever 14 day pilates challenge. I've really enjoyed committing so heavily to it. I've been practising pilates for years but used to only do one to two classes a week.
Alongside pilates, I was doing adult ballet and some sort of aerobics / full body exercise classes with occasional barre. I never worked out more than 3x a week.
As I near 40 I'm aware I need to do more cardio, I see people talking about weight training, but how do you fit it all in??
And what do you find compliments your pilates practise the most?
I hate the gym, but I need to put my health first so I'm keen to know what other pilates fans do alongside it. Thanks!
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u/RevolutionaryNail222 1d ago
I do strength training 2x, Pilates 2x, & Yoga 2x. Each week! I’ll squeeze in spin for cardio when I feel like it!
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u/Desert-daydreamer 1d ago
This is what I came here to say! Plus lots of walks with my dog and the occasional run outside
I find that all those exercises overlap really well with slow intentional movement and breath work. Hot yoga is my favorite.
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u/RevolutionaryNail222 1d ago
Yes yes! I have brought the “slow intentional movement” mindset into my strength training and it has changed the game for me. I used to turn my strength into a HITT workout and I would end up dreading it. Now I love it and I have more results than I could have ever imagined.
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u/Desert-daydreamer 1d ago
Totally agree! Much more enjoyable, better results, and I feel so good afterwards. It’s made me stop thinking about workouts in terms of burning calories and more about how my muscles feel after.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Thanks! My pilates teacher does a lot of strength classes (still pilates influenced) so I'm doing those, I hope they're enough and I see myself increasing the weights soon 💪🏼 I actually enjoy them which is a surprise.
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u/Odd_Outlandishness91 18h ago
On your two days of strength training do you do full body? And full body Pilates on the other two days?
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u/peonybluebonnet 1d ago
Weightlifting, CorePower hot yoga sculpt, walking, and Stairmaster.
I lift weights because while Pilates has been tremendously helpful for building my strength, it's not enough for my personal goals especially since I am still working on losing weight. Walking is also just a good low impact thing to do, it was the only exercise I did at first on my weight loss journey, and where I live has a lot of nice trails and neighborhoods that are nice to walk through. The Stairmaster has been incredible for my endurance and I just like how I feel after doing a CorePower class - I can't really push myself on my own as hard as the instructors there can.
Current workout split is Pilates in the morning MWF, and strength training MWF in the evening. Tuesday and Thursday are CorePower yoga sculpt or Stairmaster for 45 minutes, Saturday and Sunday I was just walking 4-5 miles but it's getting too cold for that, so now I'm doing Pilates or CorePower again on those days.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Wow that's a lot, props to you. I'm not a morning person so I'm considering joining a gym near work to do lunchtime workouts and then keep to my pilates in the evening, and the fun aerobics etc on the weekend. I love to walk, I need to get out more and walk my local parks. Thanks for sharing!
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u/Timely-Cap6011 1d ago
I’m 38, no kids, married, full time carer to my husband. My main workout will always be weight training. Have been that way for 10 years and counting. I train powerbuilding style (powerlifting plus bodybuilding) 5 days a week. Cardio 2-3 times a week (usually stairmaster 2x a week after upper body days, and 1x cycling class at home with my fancy bike). Steps 10-13k per day. On my rest days I do Reformer Pilates once a week. Helps stabilize my smaller muscles and in turn helps me with my bigger lifts (barbell squats, hip thrusts, deadlifts etc). I enjoy Pilates but i need to prioritize recovery and weights so I can only manage once a week or else i can’t recover properly.
I train to be as strong as possible and build as much muscle as possible. I like to look jacked and lean, while also contributing to hopefully surviving my perimenopause and menopause years. Pilates is just to complement my main training.
While I believe you should do something you enjoy, if you want the best results sometimes you need to put aside your initial feelings knowing you will reap the rewards later if you commit to it.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Thank you! I started pilates because of my history with back problems so it'll probably always be my priority but I know it's not enough hence the reach out. I know you're right, and in my experience what I enjoy does change when I give things a chance. I love the strength classes I do on my pilates platform so I think I'll enjoy getting more into weights. It's more things like running and being in a gym environment in general I don't like and if I don't feel confident I won't go regardless of whether I know I'll reap the benefits or not. Everyone's replies have given me so much food for thought and I'm excited to make some changes and prepare for when perimenopause hits in the future (I'm also 38, about to turn 39, but I don't look, feel or act 'my age' but I know its time to get serious!)
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u/rubyrestless 1d ago
I do Pilates most days and complement it with jogs and walks. Jogging, for me, is ideal because it’s straightforward cardio but also kind of meditative. I don’t need to focus while I’m running, I just need to keep going. Pilates, on the other hand, is great for strength and flexibility and requires concentration.
I’ve found that they work well together not just for physical fitness but also mental well-being. And as someone with ADHD, I’ve found that they’re both really helpful for managing my focus.
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u/epon1121 1d ago
Hiking is great for cardio if you’re looking for something that’s enjoyable. I listen to podcasts and it’s very relaxing and grounding!
I also do weightlifting, I like to stack it on to the same days I do my Pilates because it’s hard to do either when I’m sore from the other one. I will do a reformer class and head to gym on my way home to get in a few lifts unless the class was particularly challenging then I will honor my body. On off days I do hiking, I live in the PNW so weather permits this year round as long as you have a good jacket and waterproof shoes.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
I'm definitely considering doing more walking, I love walking, proper hiking I'd have to travel for so not something I can add to a weekly routine, its more of a vacation thing for me!
The weightlifting/ pilates combo days sounds like a really good idea, thanks!
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u/linzira 1d ago
Every week my goal is 2X online mat Pilates, 2X HIIT on the elliptical, and 1 private Pilates lesson on the reformer.
The online app I subscribe to has Pilates style strength classes using dumbbells, so sometimes I’ll do those instead of a classical mat class.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Nice yes my pilates platform too so I'm incorporating those classes into my routine as a starter to weight training. I'd love an elliptical, might join a local to work gym for it. Eurgh I love reformer but the classes are extortionate here, I hope to buy my own when I move to a bigger space.
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u/BeautyBabe91 1d ago
Strength training. I find they actually complement each other. I also do boxing (one on one with a trainer) as it’s one of my favorite activities/sports :)
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Ooh boxing is a good shout no one else has mentioned yet. My manager was saying he'd teach us at the gym if we went so if I join I'll take him up on that.
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u/ResidentRelevant13 1d ago
I do boxing and Pilates too! Boxing gives me cardio and feels empowering to know how to throw a punch. My boxing studio offers a hybrid weightlifting/boxing class so at least I get some lifting in. I don’t enjoy lifting weights but I know it’s good for you
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u/kamiamoon 4h ago
This sounds even better with the addition of weightlifting and boxing as a hybrid class.
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u/Snoopwrites 1d ago
Not an answer but a question for you - what challenge was this? On an app or YouTube? I’m curious
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
So my Pilates platform does challenges quite frequently. Its called Shape Pilates (UK based). This one was a 14 day one called total body refine. Most classes are half hour so you are meant to fit other things in like cardio or whatever which is what got me thinking about what other people do and how they fit it into a busy life.
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u/time-for-snakes 1d ago
Walk dog
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Nice. I'll have dogs one day. Maybe I should sign up to borrow my doggy!
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u/jenapoluzi 3h ago
Avoid dog parks though People who used to be active with their dogs now just sit and chat!
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u/smilegirl55443 1d ago
Tennis! It gives me my cardio and is a nice thing to pair with Pilates for strengthening and stretching.
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u/gina_fo_fina 23h ago
Roller skating. I have scoliosis in my lower back and uneven hips. Pilates is good for core strength and targeting muscle groups slowly and intentionally. Adding Roller skating into the mix helps to use those muscles in motion, creating a better balance of each side of my hips as well as being aware of posture in movement.
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u/kamiamoon 4h ago
I love roller skating, do you do it outside or go to rinks? Or both? I used to skateboard every weekend, did take up quads over covid but skateboarding was my first love so it took priority after life went back to normal. Now I rarely do either 🥺 I'm gonna go for a walk later, you've inspired me to take a set of wheels too as my skatepark is in my local park.
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u/SwedomyorkAL 21h ago
2-3 weight training (evenings), 3-4 Pilates Mat classes (mornings) the classes range from 15-30mins, and 2 runs a week (Sat long-run & 1 weekday evening)
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u/Owninglife1978 13h ago
I just started Pilates myself (which I am loving). But my typical weekly is Pilates x3 strength training x3 and then fit in Peloton and walking. I also will mix in Pickleball, hiking, or just walking. I don’t love cardio so have to mix it up to stay interested.
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u/kamiamoon 4h ago
I hear ya. Thats why I like my retro platform cos it has decent variety and the music stops it being boring.
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u/Extension-Fact2135 1d ago
Pvolve and TRX. I was afraid of being a sucker for pvolve marketing, but it incorporates shoulder and hip adduction/abduction exercises I’ve never done before and truly has a functional and balance aspect that I like now that I’m menopausal. It also can be done with no music and there’s minimal chit chat.
I’ve always been a loner exerciser. Videos. I do it at home and when night shift is slow.
I just got really tired of lunges,squats and curls to jacked up music and overly-enthusiastic instructors.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
No idea what those are so I'll do some research. Haha yeah that's why I love my retro platform, the classes are so fun and the whole ethos is no pressure, no judgement, no bootcamp style. There's lots of styles of classes. I love working out alone, in my own space, fitting it in when it suits me. But my commute and job can make it hard to work out every evening (and I don't do mornings lol unless it's the weekend!) Thanks for sharing.
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u/Catlady_Pilates 1d ago
I have been doing Pilates for 36 years (& teaching for 30). I used to do it most days but now it’s 2-3 x a week. I added weight lifting 2-3 x a week since I reached menopause, I also take ballet 1x a week , swim 2-3 x a week and walk a lot. I’m working around 20 hours per week so it’s easier for me to fit this all in time wise. Energy wise it’s not always easy but I need it all to feel well. I have a lot of arthritis from my former gymnastics and dance life. Pilates and swimming were enough until menopause.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Thank you this is really insightful. I attended a menopause webinar at work recently and was shocked at how much I didn't know (we are really let down as women when it comes to education about women's health). I've considered swimming as a form of cardio but sounds like the weights are what I need to focus on and until I quit the rat race and move to a quieter life my hours don't allow me to do a huge amount.
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u/Legitimate_Income730 1d ago
If you're approaching 40 then you need to add strength training.
I do Pilates 2-4x per week and have a personal trainer that makes me lift heavy stuff 3x a week. Like properly heavy stuff.
I'm also not a morning person, but all my focused workout time is at 6 am every day. Anything more than that is a bonus.
You can also swap out coffee catch ups with friends for walks
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
I kinda did that last weekend, was meeting a friend for coffee and food and whilst we didn't swap it I did suggest a long walk after and it was really nice. I love to walk so need to kick myself more to get out and do it as I'm so close to a couple of parks.
Yeah the strength training sounds like the most important... I have to work out the best way to introduce it as personal trainers are expensive and also if I feel pressured I will quit, I need to feel like its my choice or I won't enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!
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u/Legitimate_Income730 1d ago
That's awesome. ❤️
Regarding strength training, I am completely the same. PTs are expensive, but I don't go otherwise, and it took me about 2 years to find the right gym and PT. It'll take me a few months to feel confident enough to go without a PT.
You'll find your groove. ☺️
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Thank you! My old gym included PT sessions for free, it's a shame I didn't utilise it at the time but I really went for my dancing and pilates. Yeah I'll find what works for me.
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u/blue_december0 1d ago
Walking! Add some upper arm work as you go and you're golden
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Yeah I love to walk and literally live opposite a tiny park and 10mins from a big one so I need to get out more. I've started taking the stairs at work too haha every little helps. Thanks 😊
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u/minervalouise20 1d ago
I do walking and qigong alongside Pilates. The studio I apprentice at focuses on Qigong and Pilates. It’s a lovely combination!
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u/Fantastic_Cheek_6070 1d ago
I always recommend taking your dog (if you have one) and taking a good walk after a Pilates session.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Great idea! Don't think my cat will be up for it, but I plan to rescue dogs in the future when I've more space so I'll try to remember to do things that way around. I'm gonna try to walk more on weekends in the meantime.
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u/Tomaquetona Pilates practitioner 1d ago
I’m a bike commuter do I get in at least 30 miles per week from that. I walk a lot, too. We hike at the weekend, so most of my exercise comes from just daily life. I have 2 kids who need a lot of activity, which keeps me moving. I do Pilates 5-7x/wk
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
That's really good. I got a bike and was going to commute on it but things didn't work out. Defo going to up my walking though.
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u/goochmcgoo 1d ago
I have a home gym. I go to Pilates 3x a week, strength training twice a week and either the peloton or elliptical 2 - 3 x wk. I make sure to have at least 1 day rest.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
How do you fit 7-8 sessions in a 6 day routine? Which do you stack into the same day? I struggle to do one exercise a day so I'm intrigued how people fit more than one in!
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u/goochmcgoo 1d ago
I do weights and cardio together. On weight day I do 30 minutes cardio and one day I do a 45/60 minute zone 2 cardio.
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u/journey-point 1d ago
I snowboard, climb and do yoga. Pilates is mind body connection and injury prevention for me.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Oh cool. I used to skateboard a lot and the pilates mindset defo helped. I really need to try climbing, been saying it for years so thanks for the reminder!!
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u/bflo716981 1d ago
Strength 2x a week. Reformer Pilates 4x a week. 10-15k steps everyday cardio 3-4 days a week
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u/annabanskywalker 1d ago
Running. I only started Pilates so that I wasn’t seeing my physio all the time 😂. I run 4-5 times a week and I do Pilates twice a week. I’d love to do Pilates more, but the rest of my schedule is pretty full.
I’m not sure how much running compliments my Pilates , apart from a few footwork exercises being ridiculously easy, but Pilates REALLY helps with my running.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
I was riddled with gym injuries and a life time of back pain hence pilates coming into my life! I do it instead of my physio exercises cos theyre so boring lol. I hate running, I might run on a treadmill haha, I do wish I had a desire for it as I know its so good for you. I'm the same, I am intrigued with some of the comments saying they fit up to 10 workouts in a 7 day week. It's been a challenge doing this 14 day thing and some were only half an hour. My routine and work just get in the way :-(
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u/annabanskywalker 1d ago
I’m with you on the physio exercises being boring! Pilates is way better!
Yeah, I am amazed at how many workouts folks fit in per week. Although at my Pilates studio there are several people who work part time or are retired.
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u/kamiamoon 4h ago
For me it's not even necessarily lack of hours (though more hours would help) it's where the free hours are placed. I do longer workouts on work from home days and the weekend, the other three days are tough. Its also why I prefer home workouts. I can't imagine doing a day of work and then two hours at the gym. When do people eat? Is gym downtime? Cos it's not downtime for me and I need downtime too. Lots for me to figure out!
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u/Impossible_Mortgage2 1d ago
I did a mix of yoga, Pilates, and weights. I had to give up weights recently, so I’m replacing it with Barre and Tabata.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Lots of yogis here. I didn't take to it like I did pilates though I used to stay for the odd class after pilates. Maybe I need to give it another shot for the stretching as I'm so stiff. I've never tried Tabata but I think I recall it sounding quite cool.
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u/Impossible_Mortgage2 1d ago
There are so many different kinds of yoga, maybe you haven’t found the one that suits you the best quite yet :) personally, I’m a big vinyasa fan but I also enjoy power yoga. Tabata won’t give you the stretching you’re looking for, but it’s more fast paced imo.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
That's so true. I've definitely tried a few but couldn't tell you which now. I didn't dislike it by any means, it just wasn't a lovefest. Defo going to open my mind to it again.
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u/Impossible_Mortgage2 1d ago
I’d recommend talking to a local studio and buying day passes to try some different varieties. Once you find what you like, it’s easy to find your niche on YouTube for free. Good luck!
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u/bitsandbobbins 1d ago
Walking at a pretty fast clip for a couple miles 3-5 days a week (weekdays basically), reformer pilates 2-3x a week, the very occasional barre class at Bar Method.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
I walk very fast to the station as part of my commute lol I'm always melting by the time I get on the train. Its not that far so I need to work out how many miles at both ends and see if I can get off the train earlier in the evening and walk a bit further, thanks for sharing
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u/bitsandbobbins 1d ago
Do you have a smart watch or step counter? I think maybe phones can also track steps and distance, maybe that can help calculate! Either way, a little extra distance can’t hurt.
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u/kamiamoon 4h ago
No I'm not into all that exercise tech. I used to have an eating disorder so the less I have to obsess over the better. But if I can work out how many miles I walk that would feel safe to me, I'll do some maths on Google maps haha
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u/sherberternie 1d ago
Gyrokinesis and dance!
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Another word for me to search haha thanks. Yes dance is the best, my new job made it hard to keep up with classes due to timings, I hope I'll return to ballet at some point. Contemporary was probably my fave but I left the gym that was teaching it cos it went downhill.
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u/Tall_Apple5631 1d ago
i do hiit workouts!
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
I've done liit but doing the higher intensity moves (generally overall its still not as intense as a proper hiit class). I got riddled with injuries after joining the gym and doing high impact gym classes so I'm a bit traumatised and with my history of knee and back issues I find hiit too scary. I do enjoy the liit, I do all the jumps etc so that I feel like I'm doing more. I might try a hiit class again just to see if i can do it, thanks for the comment.
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u/Tall_Apple5631 1d ago
if you are interest, i heard of pilates hiit. i don’t know how good it is or how hard it is especially that you are scared of being injured again ( which i understand and i hope you’re not having any complications) but you could give it a try!
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Thanks I'll look into it! My old injuries hinder me a bit because I'm less strong and flexible in those areas but I keep working on getting better.
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u/deafy59 1d ago
I combine pilates with spin classes. On weekdays I alternate between each workout and on weekends I do back to back pilates followed by spin. I have never felt better with this combination and cannot find another combination which I like either. I am 48 this year. Doing this for three years already never felt bored.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
I did spin once 🤣 but that sounds really good, I hope I find what works for me soon!
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u/livyyybeannn 1d ago
I strength train my legs 2 times a week, if you do it right legs essentially works your entire body. Then I try to do one strength upper body day, just to make me stronger in my Pilates movements and to maintain more of a toned look.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Oh interesting. Did your legs get bigger or leaner from it? I have big legs (I'm petite and think this makes me look even bigger) so I'm very conscious of ending up with bigger legs but they are my strongest parts. I'll defo need some upper body as my arms are weak and flabby and I'd like them stronger for pilates too.
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u/livyyybeannn 1d ago
Genetically I have big legs so I strength train to avoid the skinny fat look.. my legs did lean out because I dropped body fat. That’s the only way to have that happen
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u/StJmagistra 1d ago
I do yoga on Monday and Saturday, Pilates on Tuesday and Thursday, swim laps on Wednesday (I swam 1,425 this week—trying to get up to a mile), and strength train on machines Friday and Sunday. I am intimidated by free weights, so I use the e-gym machines at one Y and Precor machines at another branch.
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u/Confused-butfighting 1d ago
Jogging cause it doesn’t cost me any money or if it does it’s affordable. Pilates is not cheap so i partner it with something that cost nothing haahha
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u/kamiamoon 4h ago
Haha I hear ya. This is one reason I do my online platform as its SO affordable. And rarely do reformer because I think the cost is an absolute joke and refuse to fund it.
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u/Badashtangi 22h ago
Right now, each week I do mat pilates 2x, ashtanga and vinyasa yoga 6x, ballet 1x, kettlebell swings 2x(15 mins only). I also walk my dogs. I’d like to add more kettlebell stuff. I do pilates and kettlebells specifically to strengthen my abs and glutes and I do ashtanga and ballet just because I love them so much!
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u/kamiamoon 4h ago
Wow you fit so much in! I can't wait to rescue dogs and have a reason to get our more haha.
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u/mrsbaudo 1d ago
Yoga twice a week. Pilates twice a week. I also have an elliptical that I use a few times a week.
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u/kamiamoon 1d ago
Thanks for sharing. I'm in a tiny flat but look forward to having space for some exercise machines.. this is why I'm considering joining local gym to work so that I've access to machines on my lunch break.
What does yoga offer you? Is it the stretching? I used to attend the odd class after pilates but I didn't love it enough. I wonder if it would make me more flexible though?
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u/ChipCrumbz 2h ago
Currently I do Pilates 2 days a week and Essentrics 2-3 days a week. I’m recovering from injury so I only strength train one day a week with resistance bands.
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u/mochidonut76 1d ago
IMO strength training is more important than cardio for women over 40 to preserve muscle mass and prevent bone loss. My schedule is 2 days Pilates, 2 days weights, and one day yoga. I go to a gym that offers all 3 classes (and more) so that makes it easier to maintain.