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What to Wear to Pilates: Tips for Comfort and Performance
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What to Wear to Pilates: Tips for Comfort and Performance

Published March 26, 2024

WHAT TO WEAR TO PILATES: TIPS FOR COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE


WHAT TO WEAR TO PILATES: TIPS FOR COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE

Your friend just invited you to a free Pilates class, and while you’re grateful and excited, you’re also panicking.

What is Pilates? Is it like hot yoga? Or no, it’s more like a cardio workout, right?

More importantly, how do I know what to wear to Pilates?

If any of these questions—especially the last one—keep you up the night before the class, stress no more. In this complete Pilates outfit guide, we’ll outline what to expect in your workout and how to dress for the best results.


PILATES: WHAT TO EXPECT

If this is your first Pilates class, here’s what to expect on day one.

Pilates is an almost 100-year-old form of strength training focused on improving muscle tone while building endurance and stability. The workout method is designed to provide a balance of strength work and flexibility training, and may help in the relief of certain aches and pains.

Pilates aims to sculpt your body into a leaner, longer silhouette. The generally low risk and powerful potential benefits make Pilates worth trying for anyone looking for new methods to boost their health and overall wellbeing.

 



THE PILATES METHOD: WHERE IT ALL STARTED

Where did Pilates come from, and how has it endured in the last century of ever-evolving fitness fads, trends, and miracle products?

The name “Pilates” comes from the man who dreamed it into existence: Joseph Pilates, a German-born body-builder, multi-discipline athlete, and physical fitness researcher. Pilates himself led a genuinely extraordinary life. Not only did he invent Pilates, but he was an expert diver, a circus acrobat, a professional boxer, and a nurse in World War I.

Joseph Pilates opened his first Pilates studio in New York after moving to America in 1923. Back then, his method was called “Contrology” and was an instant hit with dancers to recover from injuries and prevent re-injury. Pilates developed these techniques and exercise methods to condition both the mind and body to unlock each individual's full athletic potential.

Today, modern Pilates has spread, evolved, and even branched out into new iterations such as “Power Pilates”. According to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, Pilates is the most popular gym activity for women and is now more widely accessible than ever, thanks to small private studios and app-based virtual classes.


BENEFITS OF PILATES

Pilates' surge of popularity in recent years is due in no small part to the well-sung benefits of the workout style. Here are some of the best-documented benefits of Pilates and the research backing them.

  • Safe rehabilitation – Pilates is an exercise method that allows the individual to strengthen their core stability, balance, flexibility, and posture safely. Physicians and physical therapists often recommend it for anyone recovering from an injury. These rehabilitative Pilates movements also actively reduce the odds of injury due to falls, pulled muscles, and bad posture habits.

  • Pain relief – In a 2020 study, a Pilates protocol significantly improved lower back pain, flexibility, and trunk muscle strength in participating individuals after an 8-week regimen of training. Lower back pain often comes from a misalignment of the spine and a lack of core strength—two ailments Pilates can help correct.

  • Safe for pregnant and postpartum women – Pilates naturally strengthens the core and conditions the pelvis. For this reason, physical therapists recommend Pilates exercises for anyone with pelvic floor issues or dysfunction to help strengthen the area—without needing to do hundreds of Kegels.

  • Flexibility – With the amount of stretching involved in Pilates, exercisers of all ages can see improvements in their flexibility. According to a 2016 trial, a group of women over the age of 60 saw improved flexibility in all evaluated movements from Pilates. It was even more effective for some areas of the body than standard static stretching. Flexibility is crucial for retaining range of motion and mobility as we age and protects us from injury at the same time.

  • Body awareness, breath control, and mental health – Similar to yoga, Pilates is a mindful practice that puts as much emphasis on your mental state as it does on your physical state. With Pilates, you can learn your body's strengths and weaknesses and better understand how your body works. Intentional breathing in Pilates also benefits your daily life by offering a means to reduce stress.

While the above provides an overview of the benefits you can gain from Pilates, no two classes are the same. Here’s a quick guide to the different types of Pilates available to help you decide which style will benefit your body and mind the most.

 



DIFFERENT PILATES TYPES: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Many “hybrid” Pilates types combine elements of the primary schools of Pilates below. Some types began with an instructor tweaking a tried and true Pilates regimen that gradually evolved into a new form of Pilates entirely.


CLASSICAL PILATES

Remaining true to the original system Joseph Pilates developed in the 1920s, Classical Pilates incorporates both mat and equipment work. There is usually a traditional order to the exercises in a Classical session, giving this form of Pilates a predictable structure you can learn and memorise.


MAT PILATES

Mat Pilates isn’t much different from traditional Pilates, except that no equipment is necessary to perform it. You can incorporate additional tools such as resistance bands, foam rollers, or medicine balls, but these are optional. Therefore, Mat Pilates is an excellent option when you have minimal space to work with or want a solo workout, and it caters well to busy individuals who don’t have the extra time or Pilates equipment required by more advanced exercise methods.


REFORMER PILATES

This form of Pilates incorporates significant use of the titular Reformer—a machine with a bed-like frame consisting of a moving platform and a set of springs. Compared to Mat Pilates, participants of a Reformer Pilates class can benefit from additional resistance provided by the reformer’s many straps, ropes, and mechanics. Reformer Pilates can be more intense and difficult than Mat Pilates classes, so it leans towards those well-versed in Pilates overall or those looking to try a more intense form of the workout method.

 



BEST ATTIRE FOR PILATES

What type of clothing will give you an optimal Pilates experience? When choosing your outfit or activewear set, consider which type of Pilates you’ll be performing and the unique capabilities your outfit will need to support the movements and paces of different Pilates routines.

Generally, a well-rounded approach to any Pilates attire will include pieces that offer maximum comfort, flexibility, and support while performing various movements and stretches.

Comfort is critical for Pilates attire, so you can focus on nailing the specific exercises and not on leggings that are too tight. You’ll often need to hold positions for several moments, so wearing clothes that can support your body and provide some additional stability in balance-centric movements will be the key to top performance.

Flexibility is key, too—you need clothing that can stretch with your body and facilitate your flow rather than impede it. Plus, constantly adjusting an outfit that isn’t flexible is a nuisance and a potential distraction.


WHAT TO WEAR FOR DIFFERENTS PILATES CLASSES

Whether you’re sweating it out in the classroom or at home, here are the expert tips to pick the right pieces for your new or continuing Pilates journey.

For Classical Pilates, you’ll want to wear a fitted top to avoid distractions and unnecessary adjustments during complex movements. Form-fitting sportswear will also allow you and your instructor to evaluate your form during exercise and adjust accordingly.

For Mat Pilates, comfort is essential—especially if you’re working out at home where distractions and discomfort from your clothes can easily make you put your workout on hold. Avoid low-waisted or overly tight bottoms, which can restrict movement and disturb your flow. Bike shorts are another excellent option for bottoms that can handle the demanding stretches of Pilates.

For Reformer Pilates, moisture-wicking sportswear will be key for the high-intensity, fat-burning pace of the workouts. Additionally, wearing grip socks will provide additional stability on the Reformer equipment so you can easily hold poses and change positions.

Ready to outfit yourself for success to reap the benefits of Pilates and develop a stronger, leaner, healthier you? High-tech sportswear from P.E Nation will give you the comfort, support, and flexibility you need to thrive in any Pilates workout or setting.

 



P.E NATION: YOUR PARTNER FOR PILATES POWER

As a beginner, starting your Pilates journey can be intimidating—but putting together functional and fashionable Pilates clothing doesn’t have to be.

Whether you’re a Pilates veteran looking to upgrade your sportswear lineup or are new to the exercise method and want pieces that can maximise your movement and comfort, P.E Nation’s modern, high-performance lineup of women’s leggings, bike shorts, and athletic tops are built to meet the highest athletic and aesthetic standards. Our leggings outfit and biker shorts outfit guides are also available as resources to help complete your various looks head to toe.

Looking to diversify your fitness routine and need some hiking outfits or tennis outfits? P.E Nation has just the right pieces for the activities that bring you joy and improved health. And while you’re here, check out our list of 10 Gym Bag Essentials to ensure every trip is productive and gratifying.

Unlock your best self with sustainable, fashion-forward activewear from P.E Nation—perfect for Pilates and a fast-paced lifestyle.

 

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