From The Gardening Bed To The Reformer

As the weather warms up a bit, many of us are excited to get back outside and spend time in our gardens. There is something deeply restorative about getting your hands in the dirt, but as any gardener knows, a weekend of weeding often finishes with aches and pains.

Gardening is like an athletic event. Think about the movements you perform while gardening: There’s a lot of squatting, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and lifting involved. And if your hips and ankles don’t move well, your lower back tends to volunteer for the job…even though it really shouldn’t. 😉

This is where your Pilates really shines.

In Pilates, we spend a lot of time working on deep hip flexion and ankle flexion, which are key for getting up and down from the ground without the dramatic groaning and “now how do I stand back up?” moment.

We also build core strength and spinal mobility, which help support all the twisting and reaching that happens when you’re planting, pulling weeds, or trying to reach just one more thing a little too far away.

And then there are your hands and wrists. Pilates often includes weight-bearing through the hands, which helps strengthen the wrists and forearms. That makes gripping tools, digging in soil, and pulling tough weeds a little less taxing.

Furthermore, the focus we place on our shoulders during class, means you can prune and dig without stressing your neck and shoulders.

💜 The goal of Pilates isn’t just exercise—it’s helping your body move well so you can keep doing the things you love.