Pilates in the Birmingham Area

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Pilates in Birmingham
Photo by photology2000 via Canva

You may have heard “Pilates is a great work out!” And then you wondered, “What is Pilates? Is Pilates for me? Where do I sign up?” Well, then this post is for you! Read on to find out all you need to know about Pilates in the Birmingham area.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility, posture, and balance. It was initially popular among ballerinas, but now it is a popular form of exercise for women and men of any age looking to build strength and maintain balance. (Because who doesn’t want to be strong and elegant like a ballerina?) Many of the exercises focus on strengthening your core and pelvic floor muscles.

Is Pilates for me?

Pilates is great for:

  • Women who are postpartum since pregnancy and delivery often leave women with weak core and pelvic floor muscles
  • Women who experience stress urinary incontinence, which is the leaking of urine while coughing or sneezing. This can be a sign of weak pelvic floor muscles.
  • Women who experience pelvic muscle pain with intercourse
  • Anyone who wants to resume exercising after physical therapy for an injury (since Pilates is low impact but is very effective at strengthening your muscles) 
  • Anyone with low back pain
  • Anyone with an autoimmune disorder, which increases inflammation in your body
  • Anyone looking for a fun exercise program that is lower in intensity, but still effective

In 2018, I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune condition that causes dry mouth and eyes, fatigue, and joint pain. I wanted to find lifestyle changes that could decrease my inflammation and improve my symptoms. Someone recommended that I try Pilates. Not only have my symptoms improved, but I’ve also found a fun exercise that I love, made new friends, and improved my balance and strength!

Where Do I Sign Up?

Most Pilates studios offer a trial class. I highly recommend that you try one or a few trial classes to be sure that you will enjoy it and to see which studio is the best fit for you. It also helps to choose a studio that is close to your home, work, or childcare since you are more likely to go if it is close by.

There are a lot of options for Pilates in the Birmingham area. Here are a few to check out:

Vestavia Hills

BODYBAR Pilates

Club Pilates 

CORE Pilates

Essential MVMT + Pilates

Life Time

Mountain Brook

Core Strong

Mpower Pilates + Cycle Studio

Pilates Mountain Brook

Homewood

Club Pilates

Provision Studio

Studio G Pilates

Hoover

BODYBAR Pilates

Club Pilates

The YMCA has several locations around the area that offer pilates classes, too!

I love the positive changes I have seen in my body. I also enjoy the community of young and older women and men that I have become a part of through my studio. I plan to continue practicing Pilates for many years to come. You should definitely give this exercise a try if you are looking for a long term, low impact and fun way to increase your strength, balance, and flexibility while making friends along the way. 

If you’re interested in working out away from home, but you also need childcare for that to happen, we’ve got you covered with this list!

Ultimate Guide to Gyms With Childcare in Birmingham

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Maurine B
Maurine was born and raised in Montgomery, but now calls the Cahaba Heights region of Vestavia Hills home. She met her husband, Jacob, while attending medical school at the University of South Alabama. She then completed an Ob Gyn residency in Gainesville, FL before returning to Birmingham. After practicing medicine full time for 12 years, she transitioned to flexible hours with a pregnancy resource center. She loves having more time to be with her husband and two children, volunteer with local nonprofit organizations she is passionate about, work with the PTO at her daughter’s school, and serve at her church. When she is not with family, Maurine enjoys pilates, reading, and art, and she almost always has a project she is working on.

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