PREPARE FOR PILATES

Pilates is in high demand, with the mind-body exercise set to boom in the UK this year. But if you've not yet given it a go, here's everything you need to know to start your home practice

Pilates is the workout du jour, the crème de la crème of mind-body exercise, and it’s tipped to be top of the exercise charts this year. Why? Possibly because it not only lengthens and strengthens the body, but also helps exercisers to gain control over their breath and core muscles. It’s got a wealth of celebrity advocates – with Hilary Duff, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson all crediting Pilates for helping them stay in shape – and we’re seeing a horde of new Pilates workouts and studios prepare to pop up over the coming months. So, if you want to get to grips with this popular form of exercise but don’t know where to start, follow these beginner tips from The Little Book of Pilates by Rachel Lawrence (£6.99; Vie Books) to go from strength to strength this season.

SETTING UP YOUR HOME STUDIO

Find a place in your home which is a calm, comfortable space you can relax in. It can be a room or simply a place dedicated to your practice which has no distractions and where you can be alone and uninterrupted. In creating a fun ritual of a place to go, you will quickly find yourself looking forward to your time on the mat. This will help train your mind and body that, when you are in this space, you can switch off from everything else to focus on yourself. If you can, place a large mirror in the space so you can see yourself – this will help you correct your alignment during the session. Be sure the space is big enough to extend your arms and legs in all directions without hitting the furniture; you don’t want to keep shuffling around to make space to do the movements! The most essential item in this space will be your Pilates mat.

BUYING YOUR FIRST PILATES MAT