Getting the best from your Pilates (or any exercise) class

Be regular

Stop/start and binge exercises don't really work. Find out what suits your temperament and your body and find a way to make it a part of your life. Your goals should be for the longer term and not just to fit into an outfit for Christmas....Discuss options with your teacher to either self practise or plan online classes if you travel for work or are unable to attend for an extend period.

Pilates can be done anywhere... all you need is a mat.

Quality over quantity

10 reps done with perfect form trumps 100 reps done badly.....every time. Learn the right way to exercise - you may not be perfect the first several times, but you'll get there, and it will be well worth it. Effective exercise is key to a fitter, healthier you.

Less is more.

Understand what the exercise is for

Every exercise serves a purpose. Whether it is to mobilise a particular joint, work a muscle group, build strength or stabilise the body, understand what each exercise is trying to achieve. Some may be more pertinent to your situation and you may want to practise those outside of class, while others may do you more harm than good. Learn about your body and what works best for it.

Train your body to be efficient and effective.

Listen to your body plus rest and recuperate

Your body is different from everybody else's. It will respond differently to exercises, so always listen to your body. Challenge yourself, but stop when your body tells you to. Aches are ok, but sharp pains are not. Rest and recuperate - getting a good night's sleep and giving your body a chance to recover from exercise is as important. Eat healthy and stay hydrated.

Treat your body well.

Use it in your everyday life

Pilates offers functional benefits, so don't leave it behind when you leave your class. Use what you've learnt in your daily life, right from when you're watching TV, to working at your laptop or reaching for something behind you. The core is the engine that should drive the rest of your body.

Use all those muscles you've discovered.