Consistency is Key - 5 Tips to Help You Stay Consistent in Your Pilates Practice
As with most things, if you really want to see results from your Pilates practice then consistency is key. Attending classes regularly means that you are more likely to see results much more quickly and to continue progressing forward. You spend less time trying to remember the exercise or get back into things, and more time noticing how the exercise feels in your body and recalling all those little adjustments from past sessions that made the exercise even more effective for you.
I see the impact so clearly when clients have a really great consistent run of regular practice. I know my clients feel the difference when they’ve not been in the studio for a while. Ideally getting into the studio 2-3 times per week will really help you benefit greatly from your practice. If that isn’t possible even once per week of consistent practice will benefit your body. The key is managing to keep it consistent and keep up with regular practice when you can.
Let’s face it though - our lives are very busy and it is easy to fall out of routine. So how can you keep consistent? Here are my top tips to help you.
Get your Pilates time formally “booked” in your schedule: Book your classes well ahead so you know that time is protected in your schedule. Booking ahead also helps ensure you can get a space in the classes that best suit your schedule. If you use a diary, or an online calendar, make sure you write your class in so that you keep that time protected. If you book using the BSport app there is an option to automatically sync your bookings with your online calendar (e.g. Apple or Google) so that they show up there. Get into the habit of committing that time in your schedule and working other appointments around it when you can. After all, this is about putting you first…and how often in our busy days do we really get to do that?
Be flexible when your schedule changes: Many people will tend to book the same classes each week. This is great, as it helps you get into a routine and makes planning easier. However inevitably sometimes something will come up and you won’t be able to make your planned class on a given week. That’s ok. We run several mat and apparatus classes every week, which helps give you flexibility when you need it. If you can’t make your usual session take a look at the timetable and see if there is another class you can do that week instead. This may mean attending the same type of class but on a different day, or even giving a different type of class a try. If you usually attend a 1:1 but can’t make your usual slot look to see if there is an alternative session available that week or perhaps come along to a group class instead. If you’re an apparatus class regular but can’t make one of your classes this week you could try another class time or book onto a mat class. It can be a little daunting going into a different class to the one you usually attend, but don’t worry. Many of my clients mix it up week on week and you will always be greeted with friendly faces. You can always contact me prior to booking if you are not sure whether a class is suitable for you. Whatever class you attend, I will look out for you and ensure that you are working in the best way for you.
Communicate with your support network: If attending Pilates regularly is important for you for your physical and mental wellbeing, please communicate that to your support network. This is especially important, I think, for parents. I love it when I see supportive partners or even grandparents who recognise how important it is for my client to get to their class. Who encourage them, support them and are active in ensuring they can have that little bit of time protected for them and their wellbeing. It’s easy to look at it from the outside as “just an exercise class”, but Pilates is more than that. It is time investing in your mental and physical wellbeing for today, and the future. Don’t be afraid to communicate this to those close to you and ask for support to keep your Pilates time protected.
Incentivise Yourself: We are more likely to stick with something if we are working towards a goal. Can you set yourself a challenge? Perhaps see how many weeks in a row you can go without missing Pilates? Or set a goal with a treat at the end of it. It is amazing how much having a goal or streak to work towards can help keep us motivated.
Buddy up with a Friend: If remembering to book yourself in, or motivating yourself to leave the house is your barrier to consistency why not trying buddying up with a partner. Working out with a friend is not only great for social connection, you can also prompt and motivate each other to get your classes booked each week. At Be:Poised Pilates we offer a referral reward when someone new signs up using your referral code, and we also have the ability to “book for a guest” in some of our classes. If you are thinking of starting apparatus classes, talk to me about the possibility to run your introductory sessions as duets rather than 1:1. This enables you to team up with a friend, and also saves you money.
Importantly, if you do fall out of routine don’t worry. I’m not one of those instructors that will be on your case if you miss a session. I don’t go in for “no excuses” mentality. We are all human and life happens. The important thing is trying to get back into routine as soon as you can. Not waiting for perfection, just getting booked in as and when you can and taking steps towards regaining that consistency.
Try these tips to help you stay consistent in your Pilates practice and feel the benefits of regular practice. I’d love to know what helps you stay consistent.