What Is Polates And Why Is It A Great Workout For Busy Mums?
Being a busy mum means all of your days are centred around your kids’ needs. From school drop-offs and pick-ups to after-school activities, dinner, bath time, and the eventual sacred bedtime, mums are forever busy with their children!
We get it, being short on time can be very stressful. You may feel you have no time for yourself to practice self-care or move your body. However, did you know that having an effective exercise routine can drastically help reduce stress, whilst improving overall strength, balance, and flexibility?
For us busy mums who are time-poor, you can benefit from a whole body fusion Pilates class called Polates to effectively engage all your muscles in the one class. Why? Because taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your kids! You want to show up for them in the best way possible, which means being happy and healthy.
Before understanding why this is an excellent workout for busy mums, it is essential to understand what Polates actually is! So, let’s dive in 🙂
Understanding Polates: A Perfect Fit for Mums
Polates is a full-body exercise that combines the grace of pole dancing with the precision and toning of pilates.
Polates is low-impact and focuses on core strength, flexibility, and endurance. The pole is used merely as a prop and a guide, and the class is based on the main principles of pilates.
Breath, concentration, centre, control, precision, and flow are the basic principles of Pilates that guide the practitioner in performing each movement with proper attention and efficiency. This creates a foundation for a solid, full-body workout that is great for all muscle groups, as well as helping to calm the mind.
How can you get an effective all-over body workout?
Whether you’re on a 9 to 5 schedule, running around after children, or bouncing back after having a baby, Polates is an excellent fitness choice for us mums.
Practising regular Polates sessions can help reclaim your strength, flexibility and improve overall fitness and mental health. Due to the range of postures, it targets many different areas all in one class. These exercises are especially great for women as they are designed to target the core muscles and help strengthen the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.
You’ll experience a full-body workout, which targets areas such as core muscles, glutes, legs and arms. An effective Polates class is 55 minutes long and can be done at a dedicated studio like mine, called Polates Perth.
So, what can Polates do for you?
1./ Improve your Posture and Balance
Polates improves posture by practicing exercises that encourage correct alignment and balance, helping to avoid injury, aches, and pains. This is crucial for busy mums who are constantly running around after their children.
2./ Alleviate Back Pain
Polates exercises activate the core muscles. A strong core supports the spine, reducing strain and discomfort. Doing regular classes effectively increases muscle tone, supports your spine and alleviates back pain.
3./ Increase your Flexibility
Polates classes offer a wide range of motions in muscles and promotes greater flexibility. This in turn will benefit your body, helping reduce aches and pains.
Benefits of Polates For Mums
Incorporating Polates sessions into a weekly exercise routine can provide mums with a wide range of benefits. Here’s just some of them:
Benefit #1: An Efficient Workout for Time-Poor Mums
Busy mums are time-poor, therefore Polates is a good choice for mums since sessions work out the whole body and are highly effective. Try to attend a couple of classes a week to reap the benefits.
Benefit #2: Manage Stress Relief and Mental Well-being
Polates is a great stress reliever for mums as it focuses on controlled movements with breath. When practicing Polates, you are concentrating on achieving proper technique, along with moving with the flow of your breath, which helps to quieten the mind.
Controlled breathing and concentration help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Benefit #3: Improve your Strength and Flexibility
Polates sessions stretch and tone many muscles and offer a wide range of motions, which helps with your overall strength and flexibility. It also improves posture and provides stability.
Real Stories: Mums Who Love Polates
Polates for mums has transformed the lives of thousands of women by enhancing their physical fitness. Here are some real-world experiences of busy mums who have transformed their lives through Polates:
Emma, 40, mother of two teenage boys
“It was always challenging to find time for myself as a busy mother of two teenagers. I started doing Polates once a week, early in the morning before the kids went to school. I feel more balanced, and my muscle tone and core strength have improved.”
Lisa, 38, mother of three
“Polates has been a game-changer for me. With three kids and a part-time job, my life is hectic! I do Polates three times a week. Now my mental health has improved, my flexibility has increased, and I no longer feel stiff or have any aches and pains.”
Start Your Polates Journey Today!
Polates can be a great way to enhance strength and flexibility if you integrate it into your life. Even if you can only practice once or twice a week, which is the case for mums who are always on the go, this type of workout is really effective.
So, try to find a time that works best for you and your family, whether it be in the morning or evening. Invest in yourself and use this to practice a bit of self-care so that you can be the best mum you could possibly be to your children!If you’ve tried Polates, I’d love to hear how you found it in the comments below 🙂
Leanne Smith is a personal trainer living in Perth. She specialises in strength training, as well as pre and post natal exercise. Leanne has over 5 years of experience in fitness, her passion for helping mothers reclaim their strength and well-being shines through her engaging and effective workouts. Leanne’s unique exercise approach combines flexibility, strength training, and mindfulness. Perfect for allowing busy mums the self-care they deserve! Join Leanne at Polates Perth and transform your fitness journey with her practical yet fun guidance.