Harder is not always better!

I covered a class a few weeks ago and was asked to make the class harder than the one I'd covered the previous week as therefore more younger people there (probably in their 40s). I duly obliged 😁 and tried to break them with lots of planks and core work!!

I can never understand why you'd want the exercise to be harder - if your form is correct, your core is engaged and you are slowly breathing and controlling the exercise - it should be hard enough!

As most of you know I have been practising pilates for about 18 years, and still find the exercises hard.

Trouble is, if you focus too much on core work in supine position (on your back) you can neglect your back, which over time can cause an imbalance in the core muscles, your anterior (front) muscles are overworked, resulting in negligence in the posterior (back) muscles.

Also it can be hard going on your neck muscles if you are constantly lifting and lowering the head and shoulders.

One of my own classes was covered recently, and the instructor used balls (they vary in size and are slightly smaller than say, the size of your head and have some give in them. Now these balls are really good, they should be used between the knees or the feet. I know we use blocks or cushions for these exercises.

A couple of women told me about some of the exercises she gave them, and they sounded pretty advanced, I'm not sure I would have tackled them myself! They are meant for people with no injuries whatsoever.

One particular exercise was shoulder bridge with the ball under the supporting foot, so the roll up was done, and then the other knee brought into table top! Can you imagine the pressure on your lower back and the hamstring?? What if the ball slipped?

EVERY exercise we do, I have tried it myself, as I have a back issue, if I'm not happy with the exercise as it's too challenging on your spine, I won't use it.

As I can do up to 11 classes or more a week, I need to protect my back, but also have a responsibility to look after those who are at the class, as I certainly wouldn't want anyone hobbling out of the class in pain and not coming back!