With the start of a New Year comes the perfect opportunity to reflect on personal growth and set fitness goals for becoming stronger and healthier. As you refresh your routine in 2025, consider incorporating Pilates to help build a resilient foundation for overall well-being.
This low-impact exercise is renowned for improving mind-body fitness through a balanced approach that combines strength, flexibility and mental clarity. Pilates not only enhances physical health but also promotes mindfulness and focus, making it a powerful addition to any fitness journey this year.
Three “must-try” Pilates exercises for 2025
Follow along as Melina Caleffi, a Merrithew® Instructor Trainer from Sao Paulo, Brazil, showcases three essential Pilates exercises. These moves are ideal for beginners easing into their practice and experienced practitioners aiming to fine-tune their techniques.
Hundred: Energize your routine
Often practiced as a warm-up at the start of a Pilates sequence, Hundred is loved for its full-body engagement and versatility, targeting the front abdominals while boosting endurance and coordination. Whether on the mat or Reformer, Hundred primes the body by facilitating circulation, strengthening the core and promoting controlled breathing.
Add this exercise to your routine in the new year to build stamina and set the tone for a focused, invigorating workout.
Arms Pulling Straps: Strengthen and align
Arms Pulling Straps is a strength-and-muscle-building exercise practiced in the prone position that focuses on building upper back strength and improving spinal alignment and posture. This spinal extension exercise activates the shoulders, back extensors and core while fostering a greater awareness of coordination.
Advance your practice in 2025 by incorporating this versatile exercise to build resilience and strength.
Long Stretch: Take your plank to the next level
The long stretch transforms the familiar plank into a challenging move. Performed on the Reformer, this full-body exercise targets the shoulders, arms and legs while requiring core engagement to maintain stability. Its flowing transitions and precise alignment demand focus, making it a true test of strength.
Make this exercise a part of your routine this year to add intensity to a foundational movement.
Tips for making Pilates a lifelong habit
- Start small: Dedicate just 15 minutes a day to your practice, whether it’s a quick mat or Reformer session. This manageable commitment builds consistency and sets the foundation for long-term success.
- Invest in top-quality equipment and accessories: Enhance your Pilates experience with our premium Reformers, durable mats and exciting props. These tools ensure comfort, engagement and optimal results.
- Find an instructor: Use Merrithew’s “Find an instructor” tool to locate a certified Pilates instructor near you. Personalized instruction ensures safety and maximizes the effectiveness of your practice.
- Stay inspired: Merrithew Connect™ offers hundreds of instructor-led workouts you can access anytime, keeping your practice fresh and exciting.
- Celebrate progress: Track milestones, such as learning a challenging exercise or completing a class, to maintain motivation.
Pilates for everyone: Easy to start and stick with
Getting started with a new workout routine can be daunting, especially if you're unfamiliar with the exercise or have no prior experience. The beauty of Pilates lies in its accessibility, offering a beginner-friendly approach that can be easily scaled to suit different fitness levels.
Start your Pilates journey today with Merrithew’s top-quality equipment and accessories and see how this powerful practice can make a lasting impact on your life in 2025.