In Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah Pilates is designed for any level of health and fitness. Dubai master personal trainer Shihab provides some useful information on how and why Pilates should be part of your exercise regime in the UAE.

Can Pilates in the UAE help with fitness?

Question: Many people will have heard of Pilates. As a personal trainer in Dubai who provides Pilates training how do you think daily Pilates practice can help with everyday fitness?

Joseph H. Pilates was the name behind the exercise he called Body Contrology and at some point after his death this fabulous discipline became a tribute to him by name. Whether you call it Contrology or Pilates (pronounced puh-lah-teez and not pie-lates) , one thing is true it is the most unique form of exercise ever invented since it serves multiple purposes all at once.

A certified Pilates instructor/ teacher or personal trainer can only provide Pilates training in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.

He or she must be a registered member in UAE REPS. Becoming a Pilates instructor takes time, commitment and money. There is no doubt about that. I think many people make the mistake of lumping it together with general ‘group fitness.’

Group fitness instructors can be certified in one weekend, for a reputable Pilates certification that’s not the case.

A regular Pilates exercise can help to improve body flexibility, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the entire body. It puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong core, and improving coordination and balance.

The core, consisting of the muscles of the abdomen, low back, and hips, is often called the “powerhouse” and is thought to be the key to a person’s stability. Pilates’ system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginner to advanced or to any other level. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the exercises.

Is Pilates suitable for everyone?

Question: Some people get the impression that people who practise Pilates have to be slim and super flexible. Is this true or can Pilates be done by anyone at any fitness level?

Describing Pilates exercise can be exhausting. Sometimes it makes life simpler if we describe the results of a Pilates program rather than what you have to do to get those results.

So here is what Pilates training in the UAE can do for you in few simple words.

Flatten your Stomach

Tighten your Buttocks and Thighs

Improve Posture

Make your Taller

Help you sleep Better

Improve Bone Density, Cholesterol Levels and Blood Pressure readings.

Tone and tighten every muscle in the body form inside out so you can get really strong without adding bulk.

Improves flexibility

Pilates in One Sentence: “IN 10 SESSIONS YOU WILL FEEL THE DIFFERENCE IN 20 SESSIONS YOU WILL SEE THE DIFFERENCE, AND IN 30 SESSIONS, YOU WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW BODY” Joseph H. Pilates.

Can Pilates help with aches and pains as we age?

Question: Many of us suffer from minor aches and pains, especially as we age. Do you think Pilates can help reduce or even alleviate these common problems?

Yes, it is true. 99% of the population have posture defects. Incorrect posture allows physical stress to build up in certain tissues, leading to pain and injury. Pilates training strengthens your postural muscles, reduces muscle imbalances, and improves the alignment & posture of your body.

Not surprisingly, repetitive strain injuries have become increasingly common as so many people spend most of their work days in front of computers.

According to a recent Danish survey more than 50 percent of female office workers experience frequent neck pain.

Most of my clients are surprised by how a few sessions of Pilates classes in Dubai can help them to tone their body, increase flexibility and coordination, and most importantly, reduce their body aches.

These benefits extend well into your lifestyle habits – function at your best in both work and leisure activities when the aches and pains are no longer affecting your mind & body!

Pilates For Body Aches is suitable for people who have spine health issues (such as slip disc, sciatica, posture distortion etc), body aches and joint pains (such as knee pain or tennis elbows) or are recovering from injuries.

It is perfect for folks who want to get a permanent solution to their body woes through improving their fitness without worsening their condition.

Pilates and the elderly in the UAE

Question: Is Pilates suitable for the elderly and if so are there any special considerations that need to be applied when doing Pilates as a senior?

Pilates is designed for any level of health and fitness. Before beginning a Pilates class, the senior student would be well advised to check in with his or her health care professional.

Many physical conditions can be accommodated in a Pilates setting, but it is important to know if any specific risk factors are present.

It is essential to communicate health issues or physical limitations to the instructor before the class begins.

Many older adults find that their balance, flexibility and endurance have diminished over time. These conditions are workable within most beginner Pilates contexts, and they will improve as Pilates is practiced regularly. Seniors can be assured that it is the right and responsibility of any student to adjust participation in an exercise to a level that feels healthful and safe for them.

Various exercise modifications are commonplace in Pilates classes. A good instructor will help a senior student monitor the level of exertion, and take measures to prevent over-stretching or falls.

Seniors might be encouraged to know that the majority of Pilates mat and machine exercises are done lying down or sitting, so there is less risk of falling than there might be with some other forms of exercise.

Pilates in the UAE – Top 5 tips

Question: What would your top five tips be for anyone who is thinking about adding an element of Pilates to their daily exercise regime?

Starting any new exercise system can be daunting to anyone, no matter how fit or experienced you might think you are.

My personal guide to help beginners start on their Pilates journey in Dubai without making common mistakes. Mistakes that could leave you worse off than before you started.

Know Pilates Principles and Keep Reminding Yourself Of Them: Anyone who knows Pilates, knows the Pilates principles. Six principles pioneered by Joseph Pilates that lay the foundation for all types of Pilates exercise. Concentration, Control, Centre, Flow, Precision, and Breath.

Know Pilates Terminology: Every workout form has its own set of terminology, Pilates included. For Pilates, know that your “powerhouse” refers to the the center of your body, where all of your power comes from to execute movement. “Peel through your spine” means slow movement from vertebra to vertebra. You’ll get used to it with over a period of time.

Frequency: Even if your pilates studio or pilates personal trainer offers unlimited classes for the first week, don’t plan on hopping into a class every day. Your body needs a day or two to recover from fatiguing resistance exercise such as Pilates.

Don’t push your body too hard: ‘No pain no gain’ is certainly not the Pilates way, and if you are finding an exercise painful you should stop. Some discomfort is likely to be a part of working your body in new ways, but listen to your body carefully, and with discipline and attention to detail you will gain!

Take time out and feel what it’s like to slow down: Pilates is a slow, flowing exercise: speeding it up will not make it better, in fact, taking more time over an exercise will probably make it feel a bit more challenging and increase its level of difficulty and effectiveness.