Since its creation at the beginning of the 20th century, Pilates has been one of the most practised disciplines by people of all ages. To do this, many of us usually go to specialized training centres or a personal trainer. But did you know that you can practice it at home with a Pilates app?
Today, it is the turn to learn about the best applications to practice Pilates at home in 2024. Each of the tools you need on your Android or iOS to get the most out of this successful training method with your mobile.
If you don’t have time to attend in-person sessions, our team offers you all the solutions to do Pilates at home with apps endorsed and recommended by experts in the discipline.
Shall we get going? Start planning your training now and enjoy Pilates classes at home.
Best free Pilates Applications for Beginners
Although it is often confused with other disciplines such as yoga or gymnastics, the truth is that Pilates has distinctive characteristics that classify it as a completely autonomous practice.
If you want to try something else, check out these apps to practice free yoga at home or the best apps to earn money by walking. So that you do not download applications that stray from its initial philosophy, here you will find a review of the best available Pilates apps for iOS and Android.
1. Pilates by ShVagerFM
Its developer ShvagerFM has dozens of health apps. In this case, the app is the perfect option for those who are beginning to familiarize themselves with this training system.
Divide the difficulty into 3 levels to progress according to your performance. The movements are grouped into categories so you can find them easily. In total, it has more than 60 exercises that are expanded with each update.
To have greater control of each routine, it also integrates a calendar where you can specify the days dedicated to each session and a calorie counter app on your mobile phone. It is free to download and can be synchronized with other applications from the developer.
2. Pilates Anytime
Although it can be used by anyone, we recommend Pilates Anytime for those who want to maintain a daily regimen of sessions. The reason? Very simple, the app gives access to more than 3,500 tutorial videos made by a community of more than 180 certified experts.
This is complemented with talks, recommendations, workshops and additional content with which you can become an expert in the discipline. The videos are catalogued according to the level and the extra equipment needed.
You can have it free for 7 days. Afterwards, a plan is necessary to continue enjoying the app. Its monthly updates add new content to continue exploring different Pilates routines.
3. 5 minutes of Pilates
It is another of the best of Olson Applications Ltd, which already has us used to it with its 5-minute routine app. It is perfect for those who have little time or daily motivation. The content is designed for you to replicate without any equipment, focusing on routines for first-time users.
Although the graphics are 3D animations, it does not prevent you from following them without problems. The total number of sessions is 100, with each daily lesson being only 5 minutes. It is free to download and you can enjoy the content to a certain extent. If you want to access all its advantages, you must choose one of the plans offered by its developer.
4. Lumowell Pilates
Another software developed by experts with extensive experience in the market. Lumowell has motivating tools that will encourage you every day to achieve your proposed goals.
For example, it has a system of weekly challenges, a virtual trainer with personalized advice (based on your progress) and even a diet generator on your mobile according to your age, weight and height. It also gives access to a statistics system with graphs. This way you will be able to visualize your evolution more objectively.
The videos are 100% realistic animations that guide you step by step in each session. It also offers tutorials with stretches that you can use in other disciplines. You can download it for free, although some functions are only available for Premium users.
5. Pilates Coach
If you are one of those who miss out if you don’t have a personal trainer, this app is perfect for you to replace with a virtual one. It stands out in several aspects, but perhaps the way it distributes the routines is what has earned it 500,000 downloads on Google Play.
These are presented systematically depending on the user’s level, dividing the exercises individually to encourage familiarization with them. Its section with session statistics will allow you to check in one place the benefits you have gotten from the app.
All routines are accompanied by background music adapted to the type of exercise. The tutorials are made by virtual avatars that explain step-by-step how to do each movement. It has a free version and a paid version. At the moment it is only available for Android.
6. Pilates Workout Routine
With a total of 60 sessions divided into 6 programs, the app has tutorials in different formats (audio, text and video). Although it offers you a daily plan with pre-established combinations, you can customize your routine based on your needs. Of course, if you want to enjoy all its attributes, you must become Premium.
All this is from the hand of a virtual instructor who will also give you words of encouragement so that you don’t give up. And it has statistics of the achievements achieved so you can follow your progress.
Something that we cannot fail to mention is that some exercises are less than 10 minutes. This means that you don’t have to invest a lot of time or effort in your routine. If you are looking to push yourself a little more, sign up for the weekly challenges that the app has for you.
7. Sworkit
Sworkit is an app to practice Pilates that will serve as a complement to all the others. The tool provides you with a personal trainer with personalized exercise plans and a series of objectives to meet. Its interface is divided into 4 sections: aerobics, strength, stretching and yoga.
Once you choose the discipline, you must select the time you want to dedicate and the part of the body to work (upper body, lower body, abs, glutes, etc.). Sessions range from 5 minutes to an hour. You will always have tutorial videos to perform the exercises correctly.
The best of all is that you can adjust your training routine depending on your level and you will not need weights or other accessories to do it. On the other hand, the app data can be synchronized with the Health app. A good Pilates app on the wall, standing, with and without material.
Sworkit is free to download, although it includes subscription plans to enjoy ad-free workouts and personalized plans. Train anytime, anywhere!
8. My Pilates Guru: Exercise training classes for beginners to the more advanced
This free Pilates at-home app is one of the platforms with one of the most complete virtual Pilates manuals. You have the trial version, which includes a complete exercise session with step-by-step instructions. If it convinces you, do not hesitate to subscribe, because with the premium version you have about 100 different exercises with detailed explanations.
In addition, it allows you to create personalized practices that perfectly adapt to your body and your specific needs. As in many other applications, in this one, you can also record all activities to track your progress.
It is a virtual book which you have to read to make sure you have understood everything correctly and then put it into practice. It is a form of learning that is perhaps less widespread now since everything is done through video tutorials, but we have not hesitated to include it in this list due to the quality of the content. Furthermore, you may be one of those people who prefers to read, learn and then put it into practice; more than following a guided video.
There are free Pilates apps for all types of learning!
The price of the e-book is very affordable, $1.99.
9. A lot of Pilates
You can choose between stretching pilates or power pilates. You have a voice-over that guides you with each posture you have to do and images with the postures so you know exactly how to position yourself. This app is a good way to start with Pilates; since it has several levels so you can choose and go to the one that best suits you.
Of course, we recommend that you always go down, that is, if you are not sure what level you have, opt for the lower level.
Even if you have a higher level, doing the exercises well also ensures a good job. It is very dangerous for you to start doing higher-level exercises and risk doing them wrong or straining your body.
Downloading and most of the content is free, but if it falls short, you have the option of paying $10 per month or $50 per year to have more content and more options to practice. However, it is worth mentioning that the free version already has quite a few options, especially for a beginner level.
Pilates at home: benefits for your health and well-being
There are several reasons why Pilates has become such a popular discipline. Among them, the benefits it generates in the short, medium and long term have been a determining factor. Knowing them will give you extra motivation when doing Pilates exercises at home. These advantages are the following:
- Helps improve your body posture.
- Helps increase your flexibility
- Tone your muscles gradually.
- Strengthens the back.
- Reduce your stress and anxiety levels.
- Encourage your concentration.
- Promote control of your breathing. This also translates into greater oxygen transport throughout your body.
- Encourages pleasant sleep.
- Increase your energy and self-esteem.
An aspect also shared with other similar disciplines is that anyone can practice it, regardless of age, gender or health status. It is especially beneficial for those who are not fans of high-impact sports or who can no longer do them due to their age or current condition.
Applications and Pilates at home: all your doubts are answered
What does it take to do Pilates at home?
To do Pilates at home, you need different accessories, although the two essentials are a good mat and comfortable clothing to perform the movements with complete freedom. Everything you add from here will depend on your preferences and needs: magic hoop, elastic bands, pilates ball and roller, among others.
What is the best way to start doing Pilates?
The most important factor to consider when practising Pilates for the first time is the difficulty of the exercises. That is why we recommend that you start with the most basic exercises and, little by little, advance.
You also have the option of downloading a Pilates app at home choosing beginner mode and learning the main movements. And if you decide to sign up for an in-person Pilates class, make sure the centre has groups adapted to your level.
How long does Pilates take to take effect?
The first aesthetic and physiological changes from practising Pilates are noticeable after the first month or month and a half (with three sessions per week). In those who train twice a week, these changes begin to be significant after two months.
However, it must be kept in mind that it is not an exact science, since each body responds differently. There are other factors, such as the intensity and duration of the sessions, that can influence these times. The most important thing is to follow a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits.
What is the best free wall pilates application?
Sworkit.
To find more, explore app stores like the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play for Android devices. Use keywords like “wall pilates” or “pilates” to find relevant apps. Read the reviews and ratings to get an idea of the quality of the app.
When is it not advisable to do Pilates?
Undoubtedly, Pilates offers many benefits for the body. However, its practice could be counterproductive in certain cases. Therefore, Pilates training is not recommended in the following situations:
- Morbid obesity.
- Risk pregnancy.
- If you suffer from heart disease.
- If you suffer from acute inflammation.
- You have an unhealed wound.
- On doctor’s recommendation.
On the other hand, we recommend that you consult with your doctor and adapt your Pilates routine if:
- You suffer from a chronic musculoskeletal injury, a contracture or a hernia.
- You suffer from osteoporosis or scoliosis.
- You have chronic respiratory disease.
- You suffer from a degenerative disease.
- You are a pregnant woman or are in the postpartum period.
Is 20 minutes of pilates a day enough?
A large part of people who practice Pilates have had satisfactory results with training programs that last between 10 and 20 minutes a day. In this sense, sessions that have this duration allow us to observe notable changes in the body if they are carried out several days a week.
However, it is worth considering that short workouts are more effective when they are part of a general conditioning program, which includes cardiovascular exercises and other longer Pilates sessions. Likewise, in general, it is important that you do balanced training and not focus only on one or two areas of the body.
Yoga or Pilates, which is better?
There is no one discipline that is better than the other; It will depend on what you want to improve or what is more appropriate for your current state of health. Yoga focuses more on deepening your meditation practice and improving flexibility and balance. On the other hand, pilates could have more benefits if you are recovering from an injury or want to improve your posture and strengthen your core muscles.
Whatever your case, with the pilates apps that we have presented here you will have a great ally to get started from home when you don’t have the slightest idea how to do it.
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