'I go to pilates once a week and the physical benefits have been huge'

I commit to just one hour a week with pilates classes in my local gym, and it’s paying off.

Denise O'Donoghue writes abouts taking pilates classes. Picture: Larry Cummins at The Montenotte Hotel, Cork

Any time I decide to embrace a ‘New Year, New Me’ lifestyle it falls flat sometime around Women’s Little Christmas because I can’t commit to a massive overhaul in one fell swoop.

Many people manage a trip to the gym every day but realistically once I’ve worked five days a week, walked the dog daily, cooked my dinner, and found time to catch up with family and friends, I feel I’ve run out of hours. 

Instead, I now commit to just one hour a week with pilates classes in my local gym, and it’s paying off.

Dennehy’s Health and Fitness in Blackpool introduced pilates last March and, having been intrigued by its much-lauded spinal benefits for years, I signed up in an instant. 

It’s hard to stress the small stuff when you’re focused on not falling over

I’d been a semi-regular attendee at yoga classes and enjoyed those for a good stretch and clearing my mind — it’s hard to stress the small stuff when you’re focused on not falling over.

From day one, I felt more of an impact from pilates than I ever did with yoga so I’m continuing my bitesize fitness schedule into 2024. 

I still find it great for my head (again, trying not to fall helps clear your thoughts) but the physical benefits have been huge. 

I get a more intensive workout — I realised this as I limped into the office the morning after my first class. I became more conscious of my posture, sitting taller and straighter in daily life. 

The little aches and pains from sitting at a desk faded away too, thanks to the improved muscles around my joints. Plus, our instructor Mel puts on a fun class so you don’t notice the moves getting more advanced quite as much.