When starting any exercise routine we always want to know how often should I be doing this to feel the benefits. Pilates like many other exercise routines, the more you do it the more you will reap the benefits of it. I could tell you that you should go to the Pilates studio every day, but is that realistic? For most people it isn’t we all have personal lives, other types of exercise we may want to do or sports to play, so it may not fit into your life as something you go to everyday to do.
I will say that Pilates is 100% the long game, there is no quick fix that will make you stronger, make your injury go away or make you faster, stronger, or more flexible in one session, A famous Joseph Pilates quote states "in 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body” ……..
Lets talk about how often you should go to Pilates, if it is your main source of exercise I would say 3+ times a week is optimal you will see your results at the fastest rate and will be able to advance your practice pretty quickly in this long game.
Coming into a studio 3+ times a week can be tough when life takes over, if you can fit coming in twice a week to your schedule you will still see the benefits in a timely manner and it’s a great amount if you have added cardio a couple days a week.
Once a week is great if you want to cross train with your favorite sport or activity, or once a week can be great when you are transitioning from going to a physical therapist after recovering from an injury.
A mix of doing Pilates mat at home and the Pilates reformer in the studio is always an option. You could do once or twice a week on the Reformer then add another couple times a week mat work for your at home practice, this is a great way to get as much Pilates into your life economically, plus when you are still going to group classes or Privates you can bring your at home practice questions to your instructor! Win! Win!
Either way, making time to move your body (whether its in or out of the studio) will always be better than not moving at all!
Best,
-Nadine