Pilates changed my body in ways I never expected—stronger core, better posture, and a whole new appreciation for movement.
I’m a journalist by degree, but my career took a different path—straight into the world of fitness. Sharing knowledge, helping people understand their bodies, and making sense of health and wellness has always been in my DNA.
After my third child, I noticed a significant separation in my abdominal wall. As a fitness professional, I understood what had happened—diastasis recti. What I didn’t expect was how it would affect me.
My core muscles felt weaker, my lower back ached more, and I realized I needed a new approach to regain control of my body. Enter: Pilates.
I’m going to walk you through my journey with Pilates, so you can see how powerful it might be for you too!
My Pilates Misconception
To be honest, I never saw myself as the “Pilates type.” I pictured ballerinas with long lean muscles and effortless flexibility, and that was not me. But, what I did know was that Pilates was all about core strength, and that was exactly what I needed.
Over time, I’ve come to see how unfortunate it is that Pilates is often marketed as a way to achieve a “long, lean” look. Yes, it will help sculpt your muscles. But that couldn’t be further from the real magic of Pilates.
Pilates isn’t about looking a certain way—it’s about moving well for life. It’s for every body—every gender, race, age, and ability.
You see, Pilates is about body awareness, core engagement, and coordinating movement with breath. It’s about learning how your muscles work together and activating those deep stabilizing abdominal muscles that support you in everything you do.
That’s not something you can rush—it takes time, practice, and patience.
My Journey to Pilates Certification
As is typical for me, once I experienced the power of Pilates firsthand, I wanted to share it with others. I decided to get Pilates certified—first in Mat Pilates and then in Reformer Pilates.
The process of becoming a Pilates instructor took a full year. Learning all the precise movements, breath patterns and small little tweaks. It’s graceful yet powerful. It’s like a form of physical therapy in my mind.
It transformed not only how I moved in Pilates class but also how I approached all of my strength training, cardio workouts, and everyday movement.
I started paying attention to my core engagement in every form of exercise I would do from weightlifting to kickboxing. It became about whole body wellness.
And, even though my ab separation would always be there to some degree, I was able to strengthen my abs and back muscles, improve my posture, and eliminate my back pain.
Fast-Forward 25 Years…
Now, decades later, I appreciate Pilates even more. At this stage in life, joint mobility and flexibility are everything. As I always say, “motion is lotion”—when you move your joints through a full range of motion, you stimulate synovial fluid production, keeping them lubricated and pain-free.
Osteoarthritis? It’s a common reality after 45, but Pilates can help ease the discomfort by keeping joints mobile and strong.
And let’s talk about core strength—it’s the foundation of everything as we age. Pilates strengthens the entire core, not just the abs, but the deep muscles that support your spine and help you move efficiently.
The Contrology Concept
Joseph Pilates, the creator of this method, originally called it Contrology—the art of controlling your body with precision, coordination, and breath. His famous quote says it all:
“In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you’ll have a whole new body.”
I will tell you he is right. After about 30 sessions, you’ve mastered the principals and something magical happens.
I personally try to do one Pilates class a week. I am not perfect but having that goal makes me accountable to take the time to practice. Sometimes on the mat and sometimes on the reformer!
11 Benefits of Pilates & Why It’s Worth Your Time
Mastering the practice of Pilates comes with so many great benefits! Not only will you see gains in core strength, but other areas of your body as well.
If I were trying to convince you to start Pilates, here’s what I would tell you:
- Strengthens Your Core. A strong core supports your spine, improves posture, and reduces back pain. Check out even more core exercises to build strength.
- Improves Your Posture. Proper alignment prevents aches and pains as you move through life. Better posture makes you look younger too. These posture exercises can also help!
- Enhances Flexibility and Mobility. Keeping your joints moving smoothly can prevent stiffness and pain.
- Strengthens Your Pelvic Floor. Using controlled movements and breath patterns, you can improve bladder control, reduce pelvic pain, and support overall pelvic floor health.
- Builds Muscle. When using the refomer, the springs provide resistance and will help improve muscle tone and even muscle mass.
- Reduces Injury Risk. Pilates exercises teach you to move with intention, protecting your body from strains and misalignments.
- Improves Balance and Coordination. These are key as we age, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
- Boosts Body Awareness. You’ll start to notice how you move—and how to move better.
- Can Decrease Stress. The mind-body connection is powerful. And the rhythmic breathing and focus help calm the nervous system and reduce stress.
- Complements Other Workouts. Strength training, running, yoga—Pilates makes everything else better.
- Strengthens Your Bones. The low-impact resistance helps maintain bone density. These osteoporosis exercises will help too!
Getting Started: Mat vs. Reformer
If you’re new to Pilates, I highly recommend starting with Mat Pilates.
I strongly believe before jumping onto a reformer machine, you should build a strong foundation with Mat Pilates. The reformer is a fantastic tool, but without an understanding of Pilates principles, it can become just another piece of equipment.
Pilates is about body awareness, core engagement, and coordinating movement with breath. It’s about learning how your muscles work together and activating those deep stabilizing abdominal muscles that support you in everything you do.
That’s not something you can rush—it takes time, practice, and patience.
Learn the principles first—breath control, core activation, and movement precision. Once you feel comfortable with mat exercises, you can explore the Pilates reformer—a spring-based resistance machine that adds an extra layer of challenge.
The reformer looks like a bed with a sliding carriage, pulleys, and springs. It’s incredible, but you’ll need proper instruction (whether from an instructor or a guided video) to get the most out of it safely.
The Bottom Line
Pilates is a full-body workout designed to improve your strength, flexibility, posture, and overall well-being. No matter your fitness level, Pilates can help you move better, feel better, and stay independent and strong as you age.
I never thought I’d be a “Pilates person,” but now? I can’t imagine my life without it. Whether you’re looking to build core strength, prevent injuries, reduce pain, or simply move better for life, Pilates is one of the best things you can do for your body.
So—what are you waiting for? Start with a Mat Pilates class and see what you think! You just might find yourself hooked for life!
You can also learn more about getting started with my Pilates beginners guide!
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