Use Pilates to Get Back into Your Beach Bod

If you’re finding it hard to get to the gym these days, you’re not alone. I teach Pilates Fitness for a living and still find it difficult to squeeze the time in and somehow manage to be presentable enough afterwards to go back to work. Truth be told, I usually take bird baths these days as I’m not motivated enough to wake up at 5 a.m. to work out and shower before I go teach. I prefer to squeeze it into my mid-day routine. But what I wanted to share with you is how easy it is to add Pilates to your lifestyle.
I always tell my clients that the basic system mat is a great routine to do first thing in the morning. It will only take you 5-10 minutes and consists of 11 exercises:

The Hundred
The Roll-up
Single leg circles
Rolling like a ball
AB series:
Single Leg Stretch
Double Let Stretch
Scissors
Lower-Lift
Criss-Cross
Spine Stretch Forward
Saw

These simple yet effective exercises, when performed correctly, are the foundation to all of the classic Pilates exercises. And the best part is all you need is your body and a Pilates Mat and of course the knowledge of how to perform these exercises. Visit one of your local Classical Pilates teachers, or visit powerpilates.com to learn and develop the strength and flexibility to master these moves. Whenever your body needs a little tune-up or feels stiff, try these out and you will feel invigorated and walk taller. Did I mention that if done often enough, you could have a better beach bod!