As the lockdown started over a year ago, we have all had plenty of time to appreciate the things that we used to do and yearn for their return. Coffees, pubs, meals out, getting together with family and friends, travel, this list could go on… Well, almost as long as the lockdown itself. While many of these things have been missed, they have been things that we could pause and wait for us to return to. However, one thing became abundantly clear, our fitness and mental health could not be paused… it needs to be attended to carefully and consistently.<\/p>\n
I used to swim regularly and go to the gym a couple of times a week, but haven\u2019t for a long, long time. I still walk the dogs regularly (and for good long walks of 7km – 8km, most times) but that wasn\u2019t enough. I could feel that the muscles (especially the important ones in my core) were atrophying! When I tweaked my back putting on my socks in autumn (!) I knew it was time to make a change.<\/p>\n
Pilates has always been something that I have had great respect for and as I get older, I realise it is something that will form a vital part of my fitness activity that I must continue forever. However, it was something that I had lapsed a little with. Floor work with a mat is great and, if done correctly, produces huge dividends, but therein lies the rub – it has to be done correctly. I know a great Pilates teacher and he has helped me learn lots about it, but with lockdown, his only sessions had to be by Zoom and that\u2019s quite a challenge. Yet the solution was standing right in front of me. My Aeropilates<\/strong> machine<\/a>.