By Manal Qureshi
With summer around the corner, it seems like TikTok is pushing one YouTube Pilates instructor after another YouTube Pilates instructor, with each one of them promising your dream body within a week at home. Every couple of weeks a new Pilates channel is trending.
But how realistic are these claims? To find out The Sheridan Sun committed to one Pilates workout video per day, exactly as instructed – with a few exceptions.
As many breaks as needed are allowed to complete the workout, none of the optional equipment is used as most people do not have access to it from home with the exception of a yoga mat. We invested in no equipment, went to no gym. It was just a yoga mat and consistency for one week to test if YouTube Pilates are worth the hype.
The first day was a bit of a reality check. It was tough. Extra breaks were needed on top of those given in the video. And we needed longer breaks too. In all, it took over 10 extra minutes to complete the workout. That wasn’t the only challenge. We found it was a struggle to maintain proper form throughout.
By the second day the soreness had already set in, but motivation was running high. Proper form was maintained by willpower alone, but breaks were still extended.
By the third day, the soreness had peaked. Worse, muscles gave out halfway and couldn’t be pushed even by mental determination. The moves in the video seemed impossible without extreme pain (and even nausea washing over). A rest day was required after this harrowing attempt.
After a 24-hour break, session four went a lot smoother. The difference was noticeable, with more controlled movements and almost no breaks.
The rest of the week followed a similar pattern.
Day five required pushing through both mental and physical fatigue.
Days six and seven marked a turning point, no breaks were needed and the videos became enjoyable to follow. However, after a full seven days there were still no visible physical changes which raised questions about the promise online tutorials give about results.
While Pilates is effective for building core strength, posture and stability it can often be misunderstood online as a quick way to lose weight and get toned. Transformation videos can be misleading depending on factors such as lighting, angles, and what type of clothes are worn.
Nonetheless, online Pilates workouts can be good for busy students who may not want to splurge on classes as they can be expensive. It’s convenient and free which is what many people need in a workout since exercise can be daunting.
Still, following along with videos online can come with risks. Some Pilates instructors say that without in-person guidance by a professional, it can be difficult to know whether exercises are being performed correctly. Even small mistakes like arching your back can cause major injury.
Furthermore, many videos labeled “Pilates” online may not even be Pilates.
When asked about popular YouTuber Nikola’s Pilates, instructor Alyssa Cadena wouldn’t consider many of the workouts online traditional Pilates workouts.
“There weren’t any cues and the structure didn’t align with traditional Pilates,” said Cadena. “Personally, I try to stay away from anything that says ‘do this to get a small waist,’”
While Pilates creator Joseph Pilates intended it to be useful for strength training and function accessibly, it’s still important to do research on videos and individuals going viral for any form of exercise.
Ultimately, after a week of testing, the results were less about outward appearance and more about inner strength. Although a “snatched waist” or defined abs were not attained within a week, stability, power and control were, the point of exercise social media seems to miss.
At home Pilates may not deliver overnight results but it can offer a realistic and accessible way for anyone to exercise. In a world of quick results, slower progress might be the most honest outcome.
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