Mat Pilates In Dubai: Bazaar’s Guide To The Best Fitness Studios In Town
Bazaar Arabia shares with you the work-out much beloved by stars and how it is different to yoga…
Mat Pilates In Dubai: The Best Fitness Studios In The City
Pilates is a low intensity work-out that simultaneously increases flexibility and mobility – ultimately improving posture and carving a toned physique. By targeting and strengthening smaller muscle groups one becomes more aware of their body during sessions, eventually self correcting as the movements that seemed peculiar at the beginning become easier. The creator Joseph Pilates founded the namesake excise after his time as a circus performer, boxer and self-defence instructor. Pioneering ‘the Cadillac’ reformer, that resembles a canopy bed, as well as a regular reformer machine, and a series of excises that just require a mat.
Although you may be questioning if this practice is similar to yoga, another class that famously only requires a mat, but there are key differences between the two. The first difference is their origins. Yoga is an ancient Indian practice rooted in thousands of years of philosophy manifesting in an array of differing styles and disciplines. Yoga poses are distinct from mat routines, involving the art of holding static positions and flowing through a sequence of movements. Mat Pilates sessions focus on controlled strength positions and often incorporate specialised equipment to achieve muscle engagement.
What is Mat Pilates?
Unlike Reformer Pilates, and suggested in the name, Mat Pilates does not require specialised equipment and is usually preformed on a mat on the floor. The work-out relies on body weight and gravity for resistance. The exercises are designed to improve core strength, flexibility, balance, and overall body awareness. Classes vary in difficulty and level.
During the practice, an instructor guides you through using equipment such as: resistance bands, stability balls, weights and a pilates ring to add layers of intensity to the session.
It should also be noted that most studios that offer Reformer Pilates will also offer Mat classes. Mat Pilates is defiantly the more accessible of the two, with hundreds of thousands of YouTube videos and Instagram reels guiding you through routines – it is an effective and transformational at home work-out. However, attending a studio allows you to learn how to correctly engage your core and small muscle groups, as well as learn breath work techniques that are vital to producing results.
Where to do Mat Pilates in Dubai?
Studio 14
Location: Al Thanya Street, Umm Al Sheif, Dubai
Zen Yoga
Multiple Locations
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/joja