Home Fitness Help

Core strength and torso stability along with the 6 Pilates principles are the foundation of the Pilates approach to exercise. The 6 principles are:

1. Centering: The focus is physically on the center of the body, also called the powerhouse which is the area between the lower ribs and the pubic bone.  

2. Concentration: Full attention and commitment to the exercise will ensure you get maximum value from each movement.

3. Control: Each Pilates exercise is done with complete control of the muscles - no body part is left to its own devices.

4. Precision: There is and appropriate placement and alignment as well as a specific trajectory for each part of the body relative to other parts of the body. During Pilates exercise an awareness of this relation between body parts is sustained throughout every movement.

5. Breath: Most Pilates exercises coordinate with the breath and using the breath properly and effectively in an integral and important part of Pilates exercise.

6. Flow: Pilates exercise is done in a flowing manner. The energy of an exercise movement connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even and controlled way.

Pilates exercises are done on a mat on the floor and exercise equipment can be used to intensify the Pilates workouts. Pilates exercises can be done effectively in the privacy of your home but it requires commitment to ensure you have at least 3 sessions per week.

It is a good idea to check with a health professional before undertaking any exercise, especially if it has been a while since you have committed yourself to any fitness or exercise program.        

All people have goals. Do you know what are yours? To make more money? To buy a new vehicle? To get in shape? To lose weight? To have a goal or goals is easy and possible for all. But achieving the goal - that is something totally different. If you are frustrated with yourself and your inability to achieve your goals, maybe try a different approach. Ask yourself 2 important questions: 1) are your goals realistic? and 2) are you ready to make the necessary changes in your life to reach those goals? Check your commitment: Why is this goal important? What will the impact on your life be when you have reached your goal? If you have trouble making a strong commitment, make sure that it is the right goal and the right time to work towards achieving this goal.

Being realistic in your goal setting means to have an achievable objective in terms of time you allow yourself and the steps you have to take to be successful. To have a goal such as sticking to an exercise routine doesn’t have to be boring or expensive. Starting with basics and increasing intensity and time spent on the exercise allow you to be realistic in the steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Accessories such as a Walking and Jogging Kit can help you get started and to measure the progress you make. Noticing progress is a motivator in itself. Be aware that research found walking is by far the most popular form of physical activity among successful  exercisers.        

When you make the commitment to start and improve your general physical fitness but you don’t have the time or money to commit to working out at the local gym a small home gym is the perfect answer. You will need a room or part of a room that is not too big and overwhelming and that is mostly separate from the hectic activity of the rest of the house. To get satisfaction from a workout means you need to schedule a time when you know you will not be interrupted for 35 to 45 minutes and you can focus on yourself for this period of time.

Home gym exercise equipment can be anything from exercise bands to balance boards to free weights to elliptical trainers. When you decide to set up a home gym these are the kind of exercise equipment to consider. It is important to acknowledge your present fitness level when purchasing exercise equipment and to not go overboard with spending too much on equipment that you are not ready to use effectively. Start with setting achievable fitness goals for yourself and identify exercise equipment that will support you towards being successful in your achieving the set goals.