Sharing a review of Les Mills Pilates on LesMills+. If you want to try the platform – the workouts are amazing – use my link for 30 days for free.
Hi hi! how are you I hope you have had a lovely morning so far. I have a couple of conference calls and am looking forward to a hot yoga class. I’d love to hear what you’re up to!
For today’s post, I wanted to share a review of Les Mills Pilates classes on LesMills+ (formally Les Mills On Demand) because I’ve been loving them lately! It feels so good to do a traditional pilates workout at home, especially since reformer classes near me are $$$ and I don’t know of any nearby mat classes. I am sharing my full review in this post and if you want to try it, my referral link will give you 30 days free.
Les Mills Pilates Review
Pilates was one of my first workout loves! I do the Mari Winsor DVDs – what a legend – and the moves challenged me in a unique way, targeted core strength and didn’t make me sweat. 😉 (Sometimes it’s nice to spend the rest of the day without needing a shower or looking like a wet rat.)
I fell in love with Pilates at our LA fitness when I was in college; An older gentleman, a veteran, leads us through a mat workout as my muscles beg for mercy.
Les Mills Pilates classes include many of the classic Pilates elements that many of us know and love: hundred, teasers, side leg series, swan, roll-up, etc. It’s good to do familiar movements, but I love the incredible number of cues, instructions and music with Les Mills.
Here is how the category is created:
1) Warm up includes movements like Nuru, Roll-down, Baby Swan
2) Hundred strength including arm pump, leg circles
3) Abdominal series, double and single-leg stretch, with movements like criss-cross
4) Side leg series
5) Swan, single-leg kick, swim, back series with back extensions
6) Strength/Strength with moves like roll-up, teasers, can-can
7) Cooldown, with stretches like saws, spine stretches and forward folds
Mat Pilates classes are about 35 minutes.
Benefits of Les Mills Pilates
– Easy to follow and modify as needed. Les Mills workouts have the best cueing and instruction of all the online classes I’ve taken (and I’ve taken a lot). You will know exactly what to do and how to perform each movement safely and effectively. Each workout has at least one modifier, who is performing beginner and low-impact variations during the entire workout.
– Movements match the music. My favorite thing about Les Mills is that the music matches the workout. They strategically plan each exercise (based on lots of testing and science, how many squats you should do at what tempo) and design playlists to match the moves. I think this aspect makes it much easier to dive into a workout and really motivates.
– Low impact. A mat class has zero standing, jumping or joint pounding movements. You stay on your mat the entire time and don’t stand for the entire workout.
– Concentrated core strength and breath work. Pilates is an excellent cross training tool because it challenges your core stability, rotation, flexion and extension; All the movements we want for dynamic core strength and stability. There are endurance components with multiple repetitions and isometric holds, all focusing on strategic breathing to target the muscles in your core. Core strength can affect our workouts, but also our daily movements, so I think it’s a great component to add to a traditional strength training routine.
Cons
– Even if you are modifying, this is a lot of important work. If you’ve recently had abdominal surgery or are early postpartum, it may not be the best fit.
– Not only do they have a mat pilates class that offers as many other classes in the app right now, but they also have balance and core. Both of these classes incorporate Pilates elements and are fantastic low-impact yet challenging workouts.
What device do you need?
All you need for these exercises is a mat!
Les Mills+ discount code
You can use my link here for a free month of Les Mills+ and check out their equipment here. Along with their foam roller I have a Les Mills mat that I use at home.
So tell me friends? Are you a Pilates fan or not so much? If you’re looking for some cross training to add to your routine or purposeful core work, I highly recommend giving it a try!
xo
Gina
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