The Five Essential Issues To Consider

• Is Pilates Right For Me?
  • The low-impact nature of the Pilates workout, coupled with its emphasis on the quality of movement (rather than endless repetitions to the point of fatigue), makes Pilates perfect for any age, body type or fitness level. If you have chronic pain or are rehabbing from an injury or surgery, private sessions are advised; likewise, we offer Structural Integration bodywork (sometimes referred to as "Rolfing") to augment your Pilates sessions, and accelerate your road to recovery
• What Is The Best Way To Get Started With Pilates?
  • Pilates requires a thorough understanding of its foundation principles, before moving on to a flowing "workout" class. However, most studios or gyms will put Pilates newcomers directly into a "workout" class, with way too many students of varying levels of ability. What you have is, at best, a very poor learning experience; at worst, an unsafe situation. That's why you will begin your training at the PCA in a small class environment (5-8 participants) with only beginning students. You'll start your training with an Introduction to Pilates Series (Class or Private session – choose what's best for you), where you'll work with both Mat and Reformer (the focal piece of Pilates equipment). From there, you will move on to our Basic, Intermediate and Advanced workout flow classes and sessions.
• How Often Should I Work Out?
  • The benefits you can achieve with Pilates are no less than profound: core strength; toning and sculpting; flexibility; postural alignment; stamina; long, lean muscle; relief of chronic back, neck and joint pain. It's no wonder fitness experts are hailing Pilates as the "perfect workout". To best realize these benefits, it is very important that a newcomer exercise under trained supervision for a minimum of 2 or 3 times a week, especially in the formative stages. Allow yourself 12 weeks for the re-patterning of your muscle movement to take effect.
• If I Have Been Working Out With A Pilates Video, Do I Need To Start At The Beginning Level?
  • Yes. Pilates videos do introduce many people to Pilates. However, because there is no interactive guidance from someone with a trained eye, it is difficult, if not impossible, for you to correct yourself, and thus develop proper form–which is essential if one is to realize the true benefits of Pilates.
• A Pilates Trainer Is A Pilates Trainer Is A Pilates Trainer … NOT!
  • Pilates is so much more than just a fitness craze–and it's sweeping the nation. That's the good–and sometimes, the not-so-good–news. Because, with this massive popularity, many teachers are being "developed" with very little training. The Pilates Method Alliance stipulates a minimum of 450 credit hours in a recognized Teacher Training Program before one is considered a comprehensively trained instructor. With an average of 800 credit hours, plus ongoing weekly continuing education, Pilates Center of Austin teachers are some of the most extensively trained in the country. Pilates can produce profound results if you choose wisely.

If you haven't yet reviewed our "Checklist For Choosing a Pilates Studio That's Right For You", please follow this link to our page, or you're ready to get started with your Pilates program, hit the button below.