Turning up the heat on low impact exercise

LOCAL Pilates studios are turning up the heat on traditional Pilates, with increasingly popular ‘hot Pilates’ classes.

Hot Pilates is exactly that – traditional-style Pilates run in a heated room.

The practise was developed by former competitive athlete Gabriella Walters in order to increase the cardio and intensity of otherwise low impact workouts.

Founder of CorePlus Geelong, Emma Sharp, said Hot Pilates is simply a blend of the health benefits of Pilates, with the health benefits of exercising in a heated environment.

Beyond the usual strength and flexibility fitness benefits of Pilates, the increased heat helps warm up the muscles, allowing for deeper and safer stretching, helps increase mindfulness during exercise, and increases the cardio element.

“The heat also elevates the heart rate, adding a cardiovascular element to your class for those seeking fitness benefits in addition to strength and flexibility,” Sharp said.

“And as you sweat, your pores are opened and cleaned, and your body has begun to detox.

“There is nothing quite like the glow you experience as a result of regular practice, as your eyes beam brighter and skin becomes clear and smooth.”

At CorePlus in Geelong Hot Mat Pilates, Hot Strength and Hot Strength Cardio are all run in a thermo-controlled studio space.

“We increase the heat and it increases that cardiovascular fitness, it increases the intensity, but it also requires then for participants to bring their attention a little more inward and bring their attention to the room.”

Sharp said at CorePlus, different classes are heated to differing temperatures, as lower-temperature classes are often more accessible for those hesitant to try Hot Mat Pilates.

“The lower temperature classes can be a little more pregnancy friendly, and always help for people who are not quite used to the heat.”

Other local studios have opted for a slightly different method to increase the heat, with Wonder Yoga in Geelong and Zero Point Yoga in Drysdale and Ocean Grove both using far-infrared light to heat Pilates classes.

WonderYoga co-founder Sally Ferris said their pilates-yoga infused Wonder Sculpt classes are one of the many classes run under infrared light.

“When people arrive, [the room is] sitting at 75 per cent of infrared heat but the heat increases as the class peaks and then you’re just enjoying the warmth.”

“Our average class is at 32 degrees. No more than going for a good walk on a warm day, but if you have health concerns or underlying issues it’s a discussion to have with your health practitioner.”

Risks of hot Pilates can include dehydration and heat-exhaustion, and pregnant women should discuss the classes with their medical practitioner before signing up.

However, Ferris said the health benefits of far-infrared light are extensive, meaning on top of the benefits of practising Pilates, participants get the benefits of infrared light, including detoxification, pain relief, reduction of muscle tension, relaxation, improved circulation, weight loss and increased immunity.

“Infrared heat, is not just about heat and getting high temperatures, what we find is, yes, a warm room will increase cardio and facilitate a greater range of movement but what we love about the heat that we provide is it is healing.”

At Zero Point Yoga in Ocean Grove and Drysdale, all Pilates and Yoga classes are run under a far-infrared light.

Founder of Zero Point Yoga Rebecca Duffield described the far-infrared light like exercising in the sun on a winter’s day.

“Your skin will warm but the air around you is still really cold, the air temperature will never go over 25 but the far-infrared light will heat your body,” Duffield said.

“Far infrared has been studied for 150 years, because it heats you from the inside out.

“It’s anti-inflammatory, it’s more detoxifying for the lymphatic system, and it keeps the classes more accessible for people people who cannot deal with a heated room, for instance menopausal women.”

Duffield said the heat helps focus the mind on being present and learning to lean into the challenge of the exercise.

“We do these things with the body and the mind, the heat plays into that. In a sweaty class you make yourself comfortable wherever you, are instead of adjusting things around you,” Duffield said.Photo: Oliver Freeman