In this commercial world, most people would agree that getting something ” Free” is a good thing. After all, if you’ve got something for nothing, you’re ahead of the game, right?

But when it comes to Pilates, getting “Free” exercises may be a double edged sword. Let me explain:

There are two things that you need to bear in mind when you consider Pilates exercises.

Particularly when they’re free.

Suitability

Pilates exercises are beneficial because they are designed to work particular muscles in a safe and effective way. The only way you are really going to know if you are executing a Pilates move correctly is to be observed by a qualified instructor in a class. If you attempt to do Pilates at home, on your own, from a book or a DVD how, in Heaven’s name are you going to know if you’re “doing it right”?

Even if you are lucky enough to have all round mirrors (and I don’t know anyone who has those in their living room!), as soon as you turn your head to check you’re in the right position, you will be out of alignment. Many of the teaching points for a Pilates exercise are subtle, and sometimes even for an experienced instructor they can be difficult to spot in a client.

Pilates is very “hands on”. In other words, your instructor (as well as giving you verbal cues to help you get into the right position), may come over to you and gently move you around, so that you can feel the emphasis of that particular exercise in the right group of muscles. Therefore, a beginner attempting to teach themselves will get none of this essential feedback.

I’m not saying for a moment that no -cost downloadable Pilates exercises – or those learnt from a book or DVD for that matter, aren’t valuable. Frankly, any exercise that you do will benefit you.

And if you exercise at home, you will get an idea of what Pilates is all about and whether you would enjoy going to a class. You will be able to practice at home what you have learned in class – and you will be reminded of all the teaching points before you do the exercise.

People are strange; if they book and pay to come to a private class they tend to turn up on time, be far more consistent about attending regularly and therefore, get most benefit from Pilates.

However, in my experience, if the classes (same studio, same instructor!) come as part of a membership package at a gym, consistent attendance takes a nosedive! Because they are getting the class for free (sort of), they often don’t bother to turn up regularly (It was raining: I was tired: I thought I’d go to LatinoGrooveAerobics instead; etc) and when they do turn up, a lot of them are just going through the motions – because they haven’t been coming often enough for it to make any difference whatsoever.

The problem with “free” is that people tend to value things in direct proportion to how much money they’ve paid out. And to get anywhere with Pilates, you have got to do it regularly.

Whether they come free or not, Pilates exercises are infinitely valuable. Just do them.