Pressed for time?

Pressed for time? Can’t seem to find time to exercise? Here are a few ways to fit exercising into your already busy schedule.
 
Organize. Plan your day the night before, pack you lunch and your gym bag, and even lay out your clothes for the day. In the morning, put on the clothes you’ve laid out, grab your lunch out of the fridge and head to work. You won’t have to decide what to pack your gym bag because it’ll already be packed and ready to go!
 
Plan your workouts in advance. Put your training in your calendar and you’ll be accountable to yourself to follow through. At the beginning of each month, schedule all of your workouts at once. Then, cross them off as you complete them. If any are left undone at the end of the month, tack them on to the following month. Make sure you have a contingency plan for bad weather and unscheduled meetings. You're more likely to work out if you have strategies to overcome obstacles.
 
Do not skip a scheduled workout. It’s a slippery slope. You skip one and soon you begin to miss two or three. Then, you’re not working out at all. Even when I don’t feel like it, I get in the car, go to the gym and change into my workout clothes. Once I’m there, I know that I will begin working out. Sometimes, just changing into my workout clothes changes my mood. Silly but true.
 
Wake up earlier. These are stolen hours that could be used to improve your health, increase your energy level and jumpstart your day. Yeah, you may have to trade your ritual of reading the morning paper for NPR but it’s well worth it.
 
Bike/skate/run/walk. Washington, DC is a pedestrian friendly city that allows you to easily walk to your destination. If you’re not in a hurry, try getting off one metro stop early so that you can walk the remainder of the way to your destination. It’s an easy for you to squeeze in a bit of exercise into your daily routine.
 
Take a break. Use your lunch break to get in a quick run, bike ride or pilates session.
 
Train with friends. You still get the gab time in without the effects of the cocktail (or reward yourself with one at the end of the training session).
 
Travel right. Traveling this summer? So often when we vacation, we take break from our healthy diets and fitness routines. For a few easy travel tips to help you stay fit while traveling, read Travel Tips. You’ll learn about mobile pilates equipment and how to setup a mini pilates studio in your hotel room. You’ll even learn how to say “Where’s the gym?” in several languages. Don’t forget to visit the Flat Belly Pilates bookstore and blog for other practice tips!

Meet Our New Instructor

Flat Belly Pilates is pleased to welcome our newest instructor, Sarah Norman, to the team! She is certified through Power Pilates in beginner and intermediate mat and has been teaching for nearly three years to both university students in Greenville, SC and older adults in Memphis, TN. To book an appointment with Sarah, please click here.

Don't Forget!

Don’t forget! Until June 30, with the purchase of a single session for individual, duet or group sessions, you may take $10 off the price. To receive this offer, this coupon must be printed and presented in person at the time of purchase and payment must be made in full at the time of purchase. This coupon is transferable so please feel free to share it with family members and friends. Schedule an appointment today!

C'est quoi?

Pendant d’une séance de Pilates, on échauffe avec des étirements et synchronisation de mouvements sur la respiration pour déverrouiller et assouplir son corps. Suit un enchaînement de postures, debout, assise et allongée, qui optimisées par la respiration, permettent de solliciter intensément tous les groupes musculaires et améliorer en maintien, en solidité et en souplesse. Pilates redessine la silhouette, redresse le dos, affine la taille et favorise la perte de poids aussi. Pour l’information sur les cours particulier, téléphone 703.942.9726 ou visite Flat Belly Pilates sur http://www.flatbellypilates.com/.

We're Hiring!

Work with Flat Belly Pilates and share your enthusiasm for pilates!

Flat Belly Pilates is currently seeking a certified pilates instructor with comprehensive mat training and at least one year of teaching experience in single and group sessions. Power Pilates certification is preferred. Candidates must also possess current CPR certification and liability insurance. Candidates should be comfortable guiding clients through many poses with variations. Ideal candidates should be professional and enthusiastic as well as possess flexible hours and be willing to travel. To apply, email your resume to mail@flatbellypilates.com.

Pilateese

Dita von Teese, the biggest name in Burlesque since Gypsy Rose Lee, credits her hard work for her tiny waist to her workouts that include, of course, pilates! She says, “[i]t’s all corsets, Pilates and ballet classes. I train hard.” No doubt.

Joseph and Romana

Just saw the cutest video clip of Joseph Pilates and his protege, Romana Kryzanowska. What a treat for pilates enthusiasts! Enjoy.

Date Night

Regular practice allows you to reap the full benefits of pilates including a refreshing mind-body workout, decreased stress, development of strong core muscles, improved posture and strength, and increased flexibility and agility. Of course, consistent practice at home can be difficult when procrastination, distraction and skepticism come up. You may have the best intentions to practice but sometimes other things — family, school, and work commitments — derail your best efforts. So, be sure to make a date with your mat! The trick is gathering the momentum and practicing consistently. Allow Flat Belly Pilates to help you. Having a pilates instructor come to you makes you far less likely to miss a fitness session, making it more likely that you will achieve your fitness goals. Your trainer will design a regular program to suit your needs and lifestyle.

Book appointments online!

Double Leg Stretch

Begin this pose by lying on your back with your knees bent to your chest. Curl your head and shoulders off the floor. Then, lift your arms a few inches. Inhale and extend your arms and legs in opposite directions. Exhale and return to the starting position. Aim for six to eight repetitions.

Don’t forget to visit the Flat Belly Pilates bookstore for other practice tips!

Afternoon Practice

In addition to morning and evening appointment times, we have recently added afternoon sessions for your convenience. Now, you can get your pilates fix during lunch. Woohoo! To schedule an appointment, click here.