As Taranaki’s leading Pilates practitioner, Physiotherapy@Carefirst offers Pilates classes designed to assist individuals of all ages with their overall body fitness. Our New Plymouth-based classes guide participants through a series of controlled movements that flow into one another with precision.

Pilates is technically considered a total body workout, as it targets various muscles in the body. However, Pilates movements are primarily designed to target the core muscles, including the abdominal, hip, gluteal, lower and upper back, and inner thigh muscles.

This week, we’ll focus on Pilates and Glute strengthening and its benefits.
Here are five tell-tale signs that Pilates and Glute strengthening might be beneficial for you:

Do you experience chronic tightness in your glutes?

Unless you have recently completed a squat-heavy gym session, your glutes should not feel constantly tight or sore. Chronic muscle tightness can often indicate weakness.

Do you feel like you have poor posture?

Weak glutes can cause an inability to maintain an upright posture through the trunk and pelvis, which is not only about having a strong and stable core.

Do you suffer from hip or knee pain?

Hip or knee pain can often be glute-related, as weak glutes can cause strain on the hip and the lower joints of the knees and ankles.

Do you experience lower back pain?

Improper engagement of glute muscles during bridging exercises in the gym or Pilates can result in lower back pain due to overcompensation from the lower back muscles.

Do you struggle to maintain a level pelvis when standing on one leg?

Part of the glute plays a crucial role in keeping a stable pelvis during single-leg activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, hopping, or running. Lack of pelvic stability can cause strain above or below in the kinematic chain, such as in the lumbar spine, knee, or lower leg.

If you experience any of these five indicators, Physiotherapy@Carefirst Pilates classes may be an excellent solution for you.

Strengthening the gluteus muscle group can be helpful in lower limb stability and injury prevention. The gluteus muscle group includes the muscles around the hip and buttocks, which help to control movement when walking, running, and standing on one leg.

Our Pilates classes incorporate glute-specific exercises to help build strength and control in the hip in various positions. This type of strength can improve body control while running or jumping/landing on one leg, therefore enhancing sports performance. If you have had difficulties with balance, knee or hip injuries, then glute strengthening may be helpful for you. Sign up for our Pilates classes to give it a try!

If you are already familiar with Pilates, our Intermediate Pilates classes may be suitable for you. These classes are designed for those who have experienced the benefits of our beginner Pilates classes and need a more challenging workout.

Our New Plymouth-based Intermediate Pilates classes start at 7.00 AM on Tuesdays at the Barclay Hall (158 Tukapa Street, Westown, New Plymouth). Spots are limited, so book your spot now by clicking here. Note that the venue provides ample off-street parking.

Next week we’ll look at how Pilates can be used in injury prevention, well worth a read.