NIA has helped me deepen my connection with my body. It has helped me deepen my connection with Pilates. Sensing my breath, whether it's my forced exhale or the connection of using that breath to begin movement in my limbs or my core. It has brought stamina to my movement and created a sense of ease and flluidity in almost everything I do. Not to mention that it's just great fun, plain and simple. If you're curious at all, or just want another cardio option, please come and check it out. If you're looking for a change in your routine that adds some cardio into your workout routine, NIA is the right class with for you! NIA officially stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action, a fancy way to saying that NIA is a fusion of different fitness modalities. NIA in particular combines; martial arts, mind body arts and dance. It's comprised of 52 moves, it's non-impact, done barefoot and adjustable to your body's needs. Our amazing instructor Sara has been doing NIA for over 10 years and says that NIA is much more than that.
NIA is what is called a somatic education. It emphasizes the body's way of internal physical perception and experience. This idea is present in two of the mind body arts represented in NIA, Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique. By using sensation, we find ease in the body while still getting a whole body workout. Calming the mind and the nervous system can increase the blood circulation and cardiovascular health. Classes are designed on an arc, bringing the heart rate up slowly, peak, then slowly ease into stretching. The martial art and dance modalities help us increase our flexibility and stamina and can tone the body as well as alleviate pain. Sara began her journey into her NIA teaching when she walked into the wrong room for a class (thinking it was Pilates). Once everyone started moving she felt tight and uncoordinated. She felt she was too tall and had never danced before and she was only focusing on not falling on anyone, so she mostly watched from a corner. As she watched she knew that there as something there and she wanted it. She wanted to feel that ease of movement that those in the class were feeling, so she came back. Gradually she began to experience a shift in her body. Her joints loosened, shoulders relaxed and movement came easier than she has ever expected. Sara is the perfect instructor because she knows how it feels to be thrown into NIA, not really knowing what to expect or what to do. She knows how to connect with everyone in the room and create an energy that makes everyone smile and sweat and dance like you are the only one in the world. After just one class will notice a huge change. You will feel relaxed, loose, sweaty and more at one with your body. So sign up for NIA today on Fridays at 11 am and see whar NIA can do for you and what it can do for your Pilates practice. Like what you're reading? Share this with a friend who needs this! Share it on Facebook and comment below! If you're ready to start your IM=X journey, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and give us a call for one free session! #imxpilateshr#pilates#fitness#health#NIA#cardio#cycling#yoga
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It seems some people start an exercise program with the best of intentions only to quit shortly into a package or program. Regardless of good intentions, most people claim the reason is due to time constraints: kids, work, and you name it. However, when digging deeper into a person’s thought processes, studies are finding there is a lack of motivation causing the problem. And this puts a stop to good intentions for people who truly want to make changes to their health and fitness. Finding a glass of wine and a comfy chair after work to unwind is way more appealing. Sound like anyone you know? “A study published in the journal Health Psychology, shows regular exercisers are consistent because they turn exercise into a kind of habit… and successful exercisers train their body to react to a cue that gets them up and going.” Let’s look at this in terms of how IM=X Pilates and your membership can change your bad habits back into positive triggers, so you can reach your fitness goals.
Building a habit. Using an instigation habit makes use of a cue. For an example, an alarm clock that goes off will trigger you to see your shoes and clothes by the bed, ready for your workout that you have planned for 5:30am. This cue will trigger the execution of the habit or plan of action. The more automatic the process, the more successful the outcome. Trust me, this works. For 10 years, like clockwork, I taught 5:30 am fitness classes Monday-Friday of all varieties from step aerobics, to boot camps, pilates, weight training, and strength and stability. I rarely missed a day. The habit changed with the trigger changed… and I no longer had to get up at that time and perform that job. Making it automatic So in order to make exercise more automatic, pick a cue, like an alarm clock which will trigger a positive response. If you work out in the evening, then likewise you see your gym bag ready in your car, packed and ready to go. The great thing about this method is it requires very little thought and the habit will generally stick. After a few months of preparation, you will have formed your habit. Reinforce Exercise Habits Now that your exercise has become a habit, you still need to plan things out. Schedule your workouts so that nothing can get in the way. Keep a fitness journal…how did the workout go, did you have to leave early, were you able to get through everything successfully and do you feel like you are making progress in class. Do you need a private session or a chat with the instructor to iron things out that are not working or do you need a modification (are you not being challenged enough?) These are things included in your membership and are ways to make the most of your time in the studio. Doing these things can be rewarding in themselves. Further reward yourself with a manicure, a massage or a hike for a job well done. Add Variety! IM=X has all of that for you Don’t get stuck doing the same thing over and over. Try new classes at different times and with different instructors. We provide a variety of formats and we are always willing to put new things on the schedule and try things out. For example; Circuit Training with Todd, Tuesday Morning at 5:45am. So much variety with cardio, weights, reformer and mat training. Stretch Xercizer Class: A full body workout to include legs, abs, jumping, etc, but more stretching is added to these sequences. We offer yoga with Irina on Tuesday and Thursday. And we also offer Indoor cycling mixed with Tower and standing Barre classes. Yep, these classes will challenge you. But we won’t hurt you; we will encourage you to be the best you! Let’s Wrap it Up I hope you wake up or leave work every day with the deep desire to get to the studio and work out because IM=X has you addicted to working out…but that is not always the case. So make sure you have a cue that triggers a positive response to build a long term habit of working out. Please add variety to your workouts as our instructors want you to be happy in the studio. Doing this will make it more likely that you will stick with your workouts and with our studio long term. Then you will see magic happen: a happy, healthy body! References: Cathe Fredrich: This Determines Whether You’ll Stick with Exercise Long-Term - Cathe Friedrich Time.com. “Here’s the Best Way to Make Your Exercise Habit Stick” Health Psychol. 2016 Jan;35(1):69-77. Active.com. “A Lifestyle Choice: Getting Fit” Put it in your calendar folks! Our neighbor Max Taps is hosting a Parking Lot Party to celebrate their 1 year anniversary, and what is any party without Pilates?!
August 18th from 2 pm to 8 pm we want all of our friends and neighbors to come and join us for drinks, games, raffles and just having a great time! That's right, raffles, that means prizes. IM=X will be giving away 10 starter packages to brand new clients to the studio (each is a $59 value!). What's a starter package? Well if you win one of our starter packages you are welcome to 4 semi-private classes and 1 private session with one of our highly trained and certified instructors! This is the perfect time to win something good for you and your health! Already a member? Come anyways! Support local business and have a drink. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to CSU's Restoring Colorado Forest Funds! If you bring a friend and they decide to join or purchase something you get a goodie bag, too! Now is your time. Come and have a drink, support a great cause and bring a friend who you know could use a little IM=X in their lives. Whether it be to help them rehabilitate from an injury, get in shape without hurting their joints or just to melt stress away, there's endless reasons to share our wonderful studio with friends and family! Are you busy that day and don't have a chance to come and win awesome prizes or bring a friend by to get a goodie bag? No problem! New clients can purchase the starter package and sign up for their first class all from their phone! Or give us a call today, get more information and have us do the work for you. We will also be having a sidewalk sale on our merchandise, so come by and get your new favorite tank top or hoodie for a steal! Health is important to keep going and make sure you can provide the absolute best for those in your life. Pilates strengthens the core and the glutes, which helps support the back and can reduce back pain. Low impact on the joints is perfect for those who have knee and shoulder issues. Lengthening and stretching the muscles gives you a long lean look while toning, and flexibility also reduces risk for injury! Like what you're reading? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and comment below! If you're ready to start your IM=X journey then give us a call or shoot us an email and we can get you into a class as soon as today! (Pst, if you call us we can give you a free intro class to see if we're a match before you buy). #imxpilates#pilates#fitness#health#cycling#barre#yoga#raffle#event#CSUFireFund#MaxTaps#supportlocalbusiness#localbusiness Everyone looks at themselves in a mirror, and most people look multiple times a day. It could be for a number of reasons: fixing make up, making sure all the toothpaste is wiped away and making sure every hair is in place. But have you ever taken a look at your posture? Are your shoulders pulled forward and hunched, is the neck hanging down and forward, or even pulled back a little? What about your lower back? Is there a large curve or maybe no curve at all?
Maybe you haven't noticed what poor posture does to the body. Slouching the shoulders and the body forward not only causes aches and pains in the neck, shoulders and back, but puts a good amount of pressure on the organs, not allowing them to function properly. When your organs aren't working at full capacity it can lead to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome, and also doesn't allow the lungs to bring as much oxygen into the body and can cause poor circulation. Outwardly, poor posture doesn't allow you to move your feet correctly and may cause falls and other injuries. So why not fix what ails you? Just like creating bad posture, fixing it doesn't happen over night. There are a lot of articles with different exercises and tips and tricks to fix posture, but if you aren't actually doing them or sticking to the regimen, it's almost the same as doing nothing at all. Having good posture has many upsides for you and your health. For example, better posture portrays a more confident image. Looking more confident can help you feel more confident, and when you feel confident, nothing can stop you. On top of that it improves circulation and digestion as well as making you look slimmer and younger! With all the articles and research that is out there for people to look at, there is one method that has been proven not only to be very effective in correcting posture, but also protecting the spine and increasing flexibility to prevent any future injuries. You guessed it, Pilates. More specifically, IM=X Pilates. With the IM=X Pilates method you are guaranteed a safe and effective workout which is scientifically proven through research to improve your posture and cure what ails you. Of course one session won't just fix your posture, but coming consistently is proven to not only improve posture, but strengthen your spine and all of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and things that are so important to support your body and a beautiful postural position through an elongated neutral spinal alignment. IM=X Pilates focuses on this position, plus breathing, pelvic floor, and rib cage stabilization through our fundamentals and when you learn these five foundations to carry on to every day activities, you can feel confident in your posture and the sky is the limit. IM=X likes to work with the spine that you were given, keeping the natural curve of the low back. This allows you to work comfortably and safely to correct any postural issues! If you or someone close to you are one of millions of people who have any of the issues that are correlated with bad posture and think it's time to make a change, show them this blog and take a look at the articles attached below for more about why posture is important and simple things to do each day to help you to improve and maintain good posture! The Importance of Good Posture 15 Easy Ways to Perfect Posture Do You Have One Of These Posture Problems? Pilates Posture Check Love what you're reading? Like us one Facebook, Follow us on Instagram and share this blog with a friend who needs to read this! If you're ready to make a change and start your IM=X Pilates journey then give us a call or go online! For new clients we offer our starter package! For just $59 you are welcome to 4 semi-private classes and 1 private training session to see if IM=X is right for you! #imxpilateshr#pilates#health#fitness#cycling#barre#yoga#posture Suns' out guns' out ladies and gents. The days are longer, everyone is out and about and you promised yourself you would definitely have that summer body this year... But with the kids, school, your brother's sister's aunt had that one thing last month, let's just say that it slipped through the cracks. But it's not too late! In honor of all those 'lost summer bodies', we have added a deal just for you. Our new Summer Shape-Up Special is in effect right now and we want you to take advantage! For just $225 you are welcome to 15 classes within a 45 day period with us, making each class just $15! Why Pilates over all those crazy boot camps and fad diets?? Well, Pilates is proven to burn fat while building muscle, allowing you to lose inches; and after the workout is complete, you continue to burn calories throughout the day! And before you ask, no not all Pilates studios are the same. We ourselves have a secret weapon, our fundamentals. Our 5 fundamentals are introduced at the beginning of each of our classes, reminded throughout the class and shown to not only stabilize the body for safety, but also ensures a more accurate workout, again, getting you results faster. With class sizes no bigger than 10 people allows you a more personal connection with our certified instructors, letting you learn, build and achieve this summer. Don't wait too long! This deal won't last forever! So if you and a friend are one of the many who just lost track of time for summer, then take advantage now for a healthier lifestyle proven to work while keeping you safe! You can purchase this and look at our other options here.
* Please note that IM=X Pilates believes that all bodies are beautiful, but what makes them gorgeous is someone who is happy in their own skin, and that's what makes a perfect beach body. We're here to help you get there.* Love what you're reading? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, comment below and share with a friend! Take advantage of this deal while is lasts and see how the IM=X method can work for you! #imxpilateshr#pilates#fitness#health#happiness#sunsoutgunsout#summerspecial#sale#cycling#yoga#barre May is the last month of our sale!!! We are loving how many of you are taking advantage of the savings but sadly, like all sales, it must end. So make sure to go online and buy yourself a discounted membership before it's all over on May 31st! If you didn't even know we were having a sale then keep reading because we're giving you all the details! If you're brand new to the studio and really sure where to start, the best deal for you is our starter package! For just $59 you get one private training session, and 4 semi-private classes! This is a great way to see if you think the IM=X method is the one for you. If you've already been there and done that then take a look below and see what membership is best for you! Membership Savings12 month membership: $149 Normally $165 per month: $192 savings 6 month membership: $169 Normally $185 per month: $192 savings By taking 3 classes a week your membership pays for itself! Memberships that we offer that are not on sale: 3 month (paid in full): $499 BRAND NEW! 6 classes (per 30 days) for just $99 a month! You can add additional classes for just $18 (per class). Punch Card Savings10 session package: $199 Normally $250: $51 savings 20 session package: $369 Normally $450: $81 savings 40 session package: $699 Normally $800: $101 savings These are savings that you can't miss! If you already currently have a membership or a punch card pack and would like to take advantage of these deals, contact us! We are able to manually give you the deal to tack onto the end of your current purchase!
Never been to the studio and curious about how the IM=X method can work for you? Again, we can't stress enough how great our starter package is! With a one on one session with one of our instructors is guaranteed to make you feel more confident for your first class (even if you've never so much as looked at a reformer). With the 4 additional classes you can get a feel of the atmosphere with our members and instructors, what you can expect in each class to find if you and IM=X are a match made in heaven! Ready to make the last call? Click on our contact page to call or email us, or stop in to the studio and take a look around for yourself! Now is the best time to start a happier and healthier lifestyle. Like what you're reading? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and comment below! Make sure to share this with someone who needs to read this and get started on your IM=X Pilates journey! #imxpilateshr#pilates#fitness#health#cycling#barre#yoga#sale#highlandsranch#colorado#beachbody I can't say enough about the effectiveness of this program, and the caliber of the IM=X Pilates Studio. If you or someone you know is 'on the fence', you owe it to yourself to experience this first hand. Dani began her IM=X Pilates journey over four years ago. She walked by it many times over the first few months after Darci (the owner) had opened the studio and thought that maybe it would be the right fit for her. With a life-long history of clumsy accidents, broken bones, surgeries and chronic back pain (from a clumsy accident while running) she was tired of being in pain. After researching the differences between classic Pilates and IM=X Pilates it seemed like the perfect fit for her, and she never looked back! Her husband, Rick, on the other hand, has only been on his journey for a year so far. He started after seeing his wife's transformation and decided to give it a try for himself (with a little gentle nudging from his wife ;)). Rick had never done Pilates while Dani had tried it years ago at a friend's house with a small portable reformer. When Dani and Rick came to the studio they felt welcomed into the environment and the culture that Darci and the members have worked to create. Everyone provides support to one another, everyone truly believes in one another and all who walk through the doors feel the tremendous support of not only the staff, but also the great community of members. Not only are the instructors extraordinary but every member I have met has been supportive and an absolute pleasure to know The results for Dani and Rick have been amazing. Dani's balance is much better and her accidents are much less frequent and less severe. She is more toned, and has gained an inch in height (back from losing an inch and a half) and her blood pressure is back to healthy levels and credits IM=X, as it's one of the few things that actually calms her mind. Rick was surprised how quickly his strength and endurance had improved from Pilates. He's noticed improvement in flexibility (while saying he has a long way to go yet) and enjoys the singular focus this exercise affords making it very easy to center his mind and truly relax during each workout. I didn't know people could just stand while putting on pants- literally I would fall over- now I don't Dani and Rick have both made their time at the studio as one of their 'must-do's' each week. Not only do the workouts continue to challenge them but they also love the environment that allows them to relax and grow. While they both have many commitments; work, friends, and family while keeping up a home and taking care of two pups, IM=X is the one thing that they do for them. They have made it a priority. Now, not everything is IM=X heaven at the studio. Improvement could be made. For example, Dani wishes she could put Darci in her back pocket so she could get the same benefits of her pushing her to be her best while she's traveling for work. Rick on the other hand... wishes there were more margaritas. We are so happy that Dani and Rick are working with us on their fitness goals. We couldn't be happier to see them when they come in as they cheer on other members to do what they thought wasn't possible before because... well, they've been there in there shoes. They always do their best and with such positive attitudes it's no wonder that IM=X has been such a great fit for them. They are truly loyal members. Aside from this awesome power couple, studies show that couples who sweat together, stay together! You can read more about that here if you need a little more convincing. Love what you're reading? Then like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, comment below and get involved! If you find yourself relating to Dani and Rick now, and think it's time for a change. Then email us or give us a call and let us help you begin your IM=X Pilates journey to fitter, healthier and happier you! #imxpilateshr#pilates#fitness#health#cycling#towers#yoga#blog#profile#powercouple We're discussing 3 big topics at the studio; the move, the kids, and the reward for this post! The MoveFrom 5 years in Town Center to the next 5 (and more) in the Promenade Center, it hasn't been the easiest transition in the world, but my oh my it certainly is for the best! We are located directly across the parking lot from Max Taps, and right next door to Taste of Philly (we know, extremely tempting, so that just gives you the motivation to continue to work hard in your classes). We have classes up and running all while we are still moving things around and making sure everything is in it's perfect place! On top of that we've really updated the studio, our retail is 'oh so fabulous' and our studio is much more open! But as important as the changes, we did keep one big thing the same... our classes! They're just as hard as before, but with a little more room to spread out and continue to kick your butt! We'd also like to take the opportunity to tell all our Pilates Hotties how much we appreciate them for their patience and understanding while we continue to improve our space for your workouts! With our new location we have created new (for a limited time) prices on our punch cards and memberships! So if you thought about trying us before we moved or we just so happened to drop right on in to your neighborhood, now is the time to take advantage! For brand new members we are offering 1 private session, and 4 semi-private classes for just $60 (that makes each session just $12!). Already a member? Don't feel blue! We have deals for you too! We've lowered your membership packages as well as our punch card prices! (remember if you currently have a membership with us you can still take advantage of this incredible offer, just make sure you do it in studio with an instructor so we are able to put it on your account so you're able to get that special price!). The KidsWe are a big fan of kids, and while we don't offer childcare, we do like to emphasize that kids are welcome into the studio! Toddlers and babies who are in a stroller or carrier are welcome to come and watch whistfully as their Mommy/Daddy is kicking some butt on the reformer. Older children are welcome to come in and play on phones, iPads, read or whatever your kid is into (we also have a TV) to keep them busy! But we would like everyone to just keep the other members, and judgement of their child's mood in mind. That being said, if you're a stay at home mom who could only workout during the day but can't keep your children at home, bring them in, set them up with some items that will keep them entertained for the next hour and join the class! If you just picked up your kiddo from soccer practice and could just barely make it to that evening class, then have them bring their backpack in and get some of that homework done! Just looking about getting into the fitness world now that your baby is a little older? Why don't the two of you stop by and get a tour of the studio and see how IM=X can fit perfectly into your schedule! We don't want to be a reason that you feel you aren't able to get your workout in. We want to be accommodating and help everyone with their fitness goals! Any other obstacles you're trying to battle?? Ask us and see what we can do! The RewardMembers! We love you so much. You are the heartbeat that keeps this studio alive and thriving; and we want to show you how much we appreciate you with the best way we know how... Happy Hour.
We are hosting a happy hour at Max Taps on Wednesday the 25th from 4:30-7 just to say thank you for your patience and hard work in our classes. We chose Wednesday because they don't just have beer on tap... They also have Carboy Wines on tap too! The best part is that on Wednesdays... each glass is $2 off (internal cheering)!! All classes that night have been canceled to encourage our members to come and join us for a drink, meet new members and catch up with those who's schedule haven't matched up with yours in a while. For those of you who aren't currently a member or on the fence about joining our studio. Now's the time to shine! Summer is right around the corner, kids are almost out of school, and those late night with friends are coming up; and there is no better way to enjoy all these Summer activities than with a healthier and fitter you! Love what you're reading? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, comment below and share with a friend! If it's time for you to start your IM=X Pilates journey than don't wait! Hit that contact button and we can get you into a class as soon as the next day! Come learn what the IM=X method is and see what it can do for you! #imxpilateshr#pilates#fitness#health#sale#cycling#yoga#barre#highlandsranch#colorado#newlocationnewdeals WARNING! THIS POST CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND HOW TO SOLVE SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE YOU EVEN HAVE! Have you given birth and noticed that you abs just haven't gone back to their original 'flatness', are you a man who is constantly at the gym and watching what he eats and still can't achieve the 6 pack of your dreams? Well, this one's for you! If you look at yourself standing sideways to a mirror and it looks as though you still may be pregnant or just a rounded belly with no idea why you can't achieve a flat stomach then you may just have 'Diastasis Recti'. This is most commonly found in women after birth but has been shown in men and children. Diastasis Reci (DR for short) is defined as having a widening of the gap between the 2 sections of the rectus abdominis abdominal muscle and distinguished as having a 2.7 centimeter (or more) gap in between the ab muscles, leaving the stomach to look bigger and round instead of pulled in and tight. If you have a suspicion that this just might be the thing that is holding you back from the desired flat tummy but not entirely sure, then test it out for yourself! 1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor 2. Put your fingers on your belly button (palm down towards you) 3. Lift your head and neck just slightly off the floor while pressing down with your fingers. If there's a gap, then there is the diatasis 4. Now do the same thing just above and below the belly button because the gap may measure differently in all 3 places! (If you can fit 2.5 fingers in between the gap it is recommended that you see a doctor for more help) So if you're feeling the gap take a quick moment and think about if you have any back or pelvic pain or if there are any digestive issues. If the answer is no, then congrats you aren't suffering from RD other than just having the round belly! But if you answered yes, then congrats because it may be stemming from your RD and it may be solved! Now that you've done the test, and whether you have it or not, continue to read so you know how to fix or prevent RD!
Now the bad news is that it is not a simple fix, but the good news is there is a way to help correct it! RD is mostly related to internal abdominal pressure (*ding ding ding* pregnancy increases the chance!); and for you ladies who worked out while pregnant to try and stay fit during and after the birth but still ended with a bigger belly you may have been doing the opposite with your exercises! There is a lot of different research articles on the internet but from what we found the main exercises that everyone can agree on avoiding are crunches, planks and other exercises that increase the pressure in the abs! I know what all our members are thinking 'We have a lot of core work is this increasing my chances for gaining RD?!" Relax! The number one step across all platforms on how to correct RD is breathing! They all recommend that you have to learn to engage the transverse abdominis and pelvic floor muscles effectively and correctly, NOT JUST WHILE YOU EXERCISE! While doing your every day tasks like lifting and twisting while staying in alignment you will begin to fix the RD by pulling in the ab muscles in! 'Well if I haven't been doing it this long how am I going to start doing it now, and how do I even find these muscles or make a conscious effort to begin with before it can turn into an unconscious movement?' Next time you're sitting in traffic give yourself a conscious moment to try and correct your breathing. Sit up nice and tall with a natural spine. Then without tensing the chest or shoulders gently pull the belly button towards the spine as you slowly exhale and right there you've found the correct muscles! Try and find a couple of moments during the day to begin with, to correct your breathing, get in tune with your deep core muscles and pull those abs back together! Now looking deeper into RD articles it says to avoid quite a few Pilates movements to decrease the chances of ever getting it, so why would a Pilates studio want to write about this while it's just going to draw attention to what is going to happen?! IM=X Pilates isn't your typical Pilates. In every single class we go through the '5 fundamentals' and the 2nd fundamental is called 'the forced exhalation' Now for the members who are actually doing the breathing correctly and throughout the entire class, don't have RD problems because the forced exhalation (FE) immediately engages the transverses abdominis and is encouraged to be used throughout the entire duration of the class! RD is said to be caused from constant pressure on the ab muscles. But IM=X is always adding additional muscles to all ab exercises that will take some of the pressure off the abs while still allowing to let them work and strengthen. All while keeping the transverses abominis engaged, you're going to be doing more good for your abs too and helping you prevent and correct RD symptoms If you feel that RD is holding you back from you goals and want to focus on correcting it a little more then take a look at the two articles we've listed below! Wellness Mama: How to Identify and Fix Diastasis Recti: This is a wonderful article that will give you even more than what we've provided and even has more articles at the bottom of sources and where to find additional exercises to help fix RD! MUTU System; What is it and How do You Know If You Have it?: This article gets a little deeper into what causes RD and how to fix it as well as what to avoid to prevent it. Love what you're reading? Like our page on Facebook, share this with a friend who needs to read this article and follow us on Instagram! If you're ready to start your Pilates journey and learn how to correct your RD through proper breathing and abdominal engagement then hit the contact button and give us a call to start your FREE week with us! #imxpilateshr#pilates#health#fitness#cycling#barre#TRX#yoga#abdominals#diastasisrecti#breathing Are you a spin fanatic? Do you religiously go to your barre classes 5 times a week or maybe go for a jog every single morning before breakfast? Well, we hate to break it to you but... you're doing it wrong. Everyone is guilty of getting into a comfortable routine, especially with their workouts. But in order to get the best results it's all about variety. Doing the same kind of workout every single day actually combats the workout itself and can overwork the muscles and can even shape them into unflattering figures (like, have you ever seen a guy at the gym who's just a little too obsessed with his biceps and completely forgets about his legs? Not the most flattering right?). It's actually recommended to do one kind of workout just 2 or 3 times a week (and just that alone isn't going to get results or keep you healthy which means you have to add multiple workouts to your week). And when you're paying a hefty price for just Barre, spin or Pilates that seems a little silly doesn't it? With IM=X Pilates however, we offer just about every fitness craze class in our studio so that you never get bored, ensure that you are getting a balanced workout and challenge yourself to get the best results every single day! I mean you wouldn't just eat bread for every meal every day of the week right? (although it is awfully tempting). So why would you only do one kind of workout? The key is to find a healthy and balanced workout that is always challenging you because you're never fixating on one kind of muscle group or movement type. It's important to challenge and keep yourself on your toes! We get it. I mean who has time to figure out where to go to get all these kinds of workouts and plan a schedule to make sure that you're maintaining a balanced workout all while juggling the family schedule and figuring out what to make for dinner? Don't stress, IM=X has you covered! We focus on creating a one stop shop. You never get bored with your workouts and we are constantly updating our workouts and increasing our instructor's knowledge and adding new certifications into our studio to keep you on your toes! So taking a Barre class along with your yoga and Pilates and Cycling schedule is going to really spice up your workouts and you're going to notice a change if you continue to change it up and come into more classes! So instead of paying multiple hefty membership fees at different studios and gyms, why not get it all in one place for just a fraction of the cost? And if you haven't really thought about this all before and want to look a little deeper into what we're talking about, then just take a look below! We broke down the four biggest workout trends right now so that you can see the benefits and downfalls of each! Pilates: Pilates focuses on core strength and stretching the muscles instead of tearing them to build them up. Building a good core is very important to keep you strong throughout the entire body, it's been proven that back pain in a lot of cases, is caused by poor core and glute strength! Pilates was originally invented to help injured soldiers to rehabilitate and strengthen their muscles. Today Pilates is still being used to not only rehabilitate muscles but to prevent any future injuries (because a strong and flexible body is a body less likely to become injured). This low impact exercise is now a world wide fitness icon and has many studies backing up the amount of good it can do for both injured and healthy bodies. While IM=X includes cardio in every class, it's not as much as a lot of people may want or even need (although to be fair this is the closest kind of workout that may hit all of the basics within an hour class). Yoga: Yoga is a multi-century old exercise that focuses on building strength and flexibility through movement with minimal equipment. It allows the mind to let go of the day and become more in tune between mind and body to learn about what your body needs, not what the mind wants it to do. Holding poses increases strength all while challenging balance. While increasing muscle mass, there is no muscular or cardio endurance added, one of the big components for losing weight. Barre: Barre came around the same time as Pilates and has been modified multiple times over the past 80 years with multiple variations being taught today. Combining 4 kinds of workouts together, yoga, Pilates, muscle endurance and ballet, it's shows to help improve muscles tone and lengthening as well as flexibility. However, like every hybrid exercise, it doesn't get every single kind of workout in every class and depending on the variation and the instructor, it's almost impossible to get every single element into a class and more than likely one element is neglected leaving you with just 3 elements with a hint of the 4th. While still getting 3 variations is still amazing, you're still missing a major element to help you improve yourself. A more major downside to only focusing on Barre is that you begin to develop a muscle memory (just like all workouts) but those muscles may transform to unflattering shapes if other muscles around it are not being worked on. Cycling: Just like riding a bike outside but without all that nature and wind! Cycling came around in the 50's and is still a fitness craze all around the world. Cycling is made to work along with music while increasing leg and core strength while improving cardiovascular endurance. This is a great workout for losing weight and toning and building muscle for the most part. The problem area with cycling is that it's quite difficult to make sure that the upper body is working just as hard as the lower body for balance. So if you're only focusing on cycling, chances are that the upper body is quite weak (without any other training added in). So just from these four types of studios you can find in most Colorado towns you can see that while every workout has amazing strengths, there are some weaknesses that could take a toll on the body over a time of overuse. So to be taking care of your body correctly, not overwork the muscles and not get bored of your routine is to mix up your workout, and if your studio only focuses on one kind, then you're just plum out of luck.
Well at this point you might be thinking "Oh if only there was a studio that provided all of this and more, then I could stay entertained, motivated and constantly see myself change and have my body feel better too!" Maybe not that dramatic but some sort of variation right? And that my hotties is where IM=X Pilates comes in. IM=X Pilates of Highlands Ranch has all of these and more! We will never let you become bored with your workout because our instructors are constantly updating and researching to keep their classes up to date and difficult for all of their clients. There is no chance for you to gain the dreaded 'muscle memory' so that you no longer feel tired at the end of a session. But most importantly, all of our classes are made for every single person! So if you've been to a class and felt like you couldn't even finish it or that people may have been judging you for not being able to keep up then you aren't in the right studio! All of our members have their own stories that lead them to us. Many with back and knee issues, some looking for a workout that can help them lose weight but in a way they feel confident and know they can get through the whole class. If anything, new members will be more comfortable with asking for modifications and less likely to be looking at their neighbors for competition (because it's about the journey not about the finish line). So if you're bored with your routine and feel like you could teach the classes yourself with your eyes closed, then maybe it's time for a change! Stop the constant swapping out studios and stick to one that will meet all of your needs and then some! Love what you're reading and want to start your fitness journey that will lead to your success? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and hit the contact page to get started with your free week trial to see how IM=X Pilates is so much more! #imxpilateshr#pilates#cycling#TRX#barre#yoga#health#fitness#community |