by One Playground
What are the Benefits of Hot Pilates
You might have heard of Hot Yoga and it would be hard to miss Reformer Pilates that’s taken Australia by storm. Now, a fusion of the two that takes the principles of Pilates and the intensity of a heated environment, is also soaring in popularity. Hot Pilates is here to stay!
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone looking to enhance your well-being, Hot Pilates might be the transformative workout you’ve been searching for.
With the opening of the One Playground Urban Oasis in Spring 2024, you’ll be able to access Hot Pilates with your Play membership. But why bother to add heat to your fitness routine and what are the benefits of Hot Pilates?
What is Pilates?
Pilates came into existence in 1932 thanks to Joseph Pilates who was looking for a way to strengthen his body, despite suffering from a range of illnesses such as asthma and rickets.
Pulling on the teachings of Yoga, martial arts, Zen meditation and Greek and Roman exercise, he began by developing a method to help soldiers during WWI rehabilitate post-injury.
His experiences led to the development of his distinctive method of physical and mental conditioning. Fast forward to today and Pilates is a low-impact, muscle-exerting workout that focuses on smaller muscle groups and high repetitions to build strength and endurance.
Pilates exercises typically flow from ‘five essentials’ – breathing, cervical alignment, rib and scapular stabilisation, pelvic mobility and utilising the transversus abdominis.
5 Benefits of Hot Pilates
1. Enhanced Flexibility
One of the most immediate benefits of Hot Pilates is the significant improvement in flexibility.
Hot Pilates rooms are typically heated to around 25-35 degrees Celsius. This heat quickly warms the muscles, allowing for deeper stretches and a greater range of motion. This ability to stretch further into the movement increases both strength and flexibility as well as reduces the risk of injury.
Consistent practice of Hot Pilates can lead to a noticeable increase in overall flexibility, which is crucial for maintaining joint health and preventing stiffness as we age.
2. Support Detoxification and Circulation
‘Detox’ is a word that comes heavily loaded thanks to overuse from misleading products (looking at you Detox Teas). Nonetheless, the body does have a detoxification system that can be supported by Hot Pilates.
The high temperatures in a Hot Pilates session will have you dripping with sweat, and in that sweat, are toxins. From heavy metals to impurities in the skin, sweat draws out and removes harmful toxins from the body, helping with the overall detoxification process.
The heat and increased sweating also improves blood circulation, which helps to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the body and skin, helping you to achieve a clearer complexion.
3. Increased Strength and Tone
Do not underestimate a Pilates workout!
You’ll discover muscles you never knew existed and will experience shakes saved to rival an earthquake.
A Hot Pilates workout incorporates the whole body, firing up the body from your core out to the arms and legs. With the heat adding an extra challenge, you’ll increase both muscle strength and stamina, helping you to achieve a well-balanced, full-body tone.
Pilates is considered a low-impact exercise option due to its gentle, controlled movements that are easy on the joints. This makes it a great way for those with limitations or recovering from an injury to build strength.
4. Better Posture and Alignment
With the added strength and flexibility that comes from Hot Pilates, you might find yourself sitting up taller with your shoulders finally leaving their favourite spot up by your ears.
With such a high focus on core strength and alignment, Hot Pilates elongates the spine and strengthens the back and core muscles needed to support correct posture.
In an age where we can be found slumped over a computer or our phones for hours every day, regular practice of Hot Pilates can help to reduce back pain and postural imbalances.
5. Mindy-Body Connection and Stress Relief
Stepping into a Hot Pilates room provides a moment to shake off the stresses of the day and focus on your mental and physical well-being.
Pilates movement often focuses on smaller isolated muscles (that’s why you feel the burn so intensely!) which can deepen the mind-muscle connection; when that burn fires up, you’re focusing only on that part of your body.
The heat, combined with the targeted movements encourages participants to be more aware of their bodies, how they move, and how they feel. This heightened awareness can lead to a better understanding of your body’s needs, limitations, and strengths.
By developing this connection, you become more attuned to your body, which can enhance not only your Pilates practice but also other aspects of your physical and mental well-being.
This increased focus can also help to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety by allowing you to leave the rest of the world outside, clear the mind and quieten the internal voices as you focus on the movement.
The heat and release of hormones such as endorphins and serotonin, the body’s natural mood elevators, Hot Pilates can foster a sense of mental clarity and calm.
Are there any risks of Hot Pilates?
Any workout in extreme heat can come with additional risks. All participants should ensure to drink plenty of water before, during and after the class. If you experience feelings of lightheadedness, dizziness or nausea, it’s best to take a break from the heat.
Hot Pilates isn’t suitable for those who are pregnant or those with heart & blood pressure conditions.
If in doubt, check with a medical practitioner before undertaking strenuous, heat-based exercise.
Where Can I Do Hot Pilates at One Playground?
Get ready to enter The Urban Oasis, a wellness haven coming to Surry Hills this summer. Here, you’ll find everything you need to recover, rejuvenate and revitalise, all under one roof.
For the first time, you’ll have access to Hot Pilates workouts at One Playground, alongside regular and Reformer Pilates, as well as mindful classes such as Yoga, Breathwork and Sound Healing.
