I have a question regarding one of my clients:
Background- She’s middle aged, hasn’t exercised since college, overweight and VERY committed & engaged, practicing etc.
1st class- she couldn’t feel stomach muscles.
2nd class- feeling muscles she’s never felt b4
3rd class- thinks she’s getting a hernia😳
What’s your advice? She’s been practicing roll-ups (which she can’t do yet) with a video I’ve done for her, for abt 2 weeks… should I tell her to chill? Her technique is fine when we’re together…. I’m not sure how to advise her. What do you recommend?
On another note: I’ve been asked to give a ‘men’s group’ pilates class!!!😇 any suggestions much appreciated! Thank you for all you do! 🔥
Hi Jessica, *Great questions!*
Regarding your female client
A few questions first:
* Where does she feel she may be developing a hernia?
* Is it around the *belly button* or closer to the *groin*?
If she suspects she has a hernia, I would encourage her to be evaluated by her doctor before continuing to progress her abdominal work.
In the meantime, I would keep her in *stable spinal positions* and avoid excessive spinal flexion or adding additional load (such as weights) while in flexion.
Instead, focus on building her core strength through exercises that minimize abdominal pressure, including: marching, toe taps, opposite arm leg reach, side-lying work. really use the pre pilates exercises along with the famous bridge.
* Roller work
* Small ball exercises
* Kneeling positions
* Standing exercises
* Controlled stabilization work
These are excellent ways to challenge the core while reducing strain on the abdominal wall.
To help, I’ll be filming a *20-minute Limited Flexion class* along with a **Limited Flexion Class Plan** to add to the Pilates Compass library. That way you’ll have a complete workout and teaching resource you can refer back to whenever you have clients who need to limit flexion.
Men’s Group Class
I love this! Men are often looking to be challenged, but they also tend to have a few common movement patterns.
A few suggestions:
*Challenge them*—they usually enjoy feeling strong and capable.
* Give them a few wins early in class, such as push-ups, planks, or balance challenges.
* Incorporate plenty of *stretching*, especially for the hips, hamstrings, and shoulders.
* Men also tend to benefit from **more spinal mobility in all directions**—flexion, extension, rotation, and side bending—as many spend years sitting, lifting, surfing, golfing, cycling, or doing repetitive activities that can create stiffness throughout the spine.
* I love using a **long Thera-band** for exercises like Roll-Up progressions and Leg Circles. It provides support while also helping improve mobility.
* Be ready to offer *knees-bent modifications* during seated exercises if hamstring tightness is causing the pelvis to tuck or the low back to become uncomfortable.
In general, men often have tighter posterior chains, so balancing **strength with mobility** will help them feel successful—and they’ll usually leave class surprised by how challenging Pilates really is!
To support you, I’m also going to film a **Men’s Pilates** class and add it to the Pilates Compass library. I’ll include programming ideas, common movement patterns I see, my favorite exercises and modifications, and how I approach sequencing a class for male clients so you’ll have another resource to reference whenever you’re teaching men.
Thank you for asking these questions! They not only help you, but they also help me create resources that benefit the entire Pilates Compass community. 💙. Everyone Please post your questions. I am here to help you become highly successful teachers! ml, Page
Page, thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I’ll be incorporating your suggestions into my practice. Looking forward to the upcoming video uploads! 🙏
Jessica, were you able to watch the video I posted LIMITED FLEXION with Props? Curious to hear how your client is doing!!
Yes I did! Amazing! Really appreciate you sharing the tips. As for my client, omg! I am so proud of her!!! She is coming along so well; accomplishing her first roll up this week!!!! Also, she did NOT have a hernia, thank god! lol She was just discovering new parts of her body. <3 It was a great learning experience for me as a teacher and I appreciate your tips & support. Cheers!
That is wonderful! Isn’t is fun being able to help client discover what their bodies can do and how they can overcome challenges? So proud of you both!