Progressive core and abdominals Pilates calendar
Progressive core and abdominal calendar building up strength and endurance
This calendar introduces a new class every week which focus on building muscle strength in our core and abdominals – each week progressing in difficulty.
Alongside these new classes we work our way through some of our older favourites which incorporate both stretching and strengthening exercises.
Although we aim to progress throughout the month it is important to work within your own levels. You will notice that I regularly give options for the range of exercises employed in the classes. So please select the level you’re happy with.
I hope you like it (feel free to leave a message at the bottom of this page).
44 COMMENTS
What a fantastic idea! Thank you and a Happy New Year to you
X
Hi Vicky. I like the idea of a structure and some change to the weeks, however, for people like me who has been doing pilates for 5 years (but consider myself a Moderate), could you introduce a Moderate session in Week 1?
Hi Liz, thanks for your feedback. Perhaps next time I will add an addition ‘optional’ class for those with more experience and that is more challenging in each week – so that it is more suitable for a wider range of people. For now, please do interchange one or two of the easier classes with another more challenging one of your choice. Happy New Year.
Hi
I tried a couple of your classes this week and was very impressed and was delighted to receive your January pilates calendar. It looks brilliant and I hope to follow it for the month. Many thanks for getting me back into pilates. Best wishes for a safe and happy 2021
Chris
Thanks Chris. Have a great month!
Just thought I’d let you know how much I’m enjoying your classes.I specially love the harder classes because the pace,balance and the workout is encouraging to keep you going and not giving up.Thanks to the variety.Your instructions are clear which I find very easy to follow even without actually looking at you.
Thanks Pauline, I a glad you’re enjoying the classes!
I was doing your classes while staying with my 90 year old mum over the Christmas period. She was in the next door room, and commented that she liked hearing how often you say well done – “how encouraging” I quite agree with her. Thank you for the variety and I agree with Liz’s comment about adding in some tougher classes, although I understand at this point of the year, there might be new subscribers.
A great start to 2021 Vicky, and the calendar is a fantastic idea and very motivating. Even though I’ve done Pilates for years, it’s good to have easier classes to get back into a post Christmas routine. Thanks for everything you do to help us stay fit, flexible and healthy. xx
This is a brilliant idea. There are so many good classes on the site but this packages them up beautifully, interspersed with new classes.. really helps me keep on track.
Hi Tracey. Thanks for your comment. I am glad the calendar is helpful for you!
Happy New Year Vicky, I am hugely enjoying your programme and certainly feel it lifts the spirits and makes one feel ready for the day – usually do first thing with every intention of doing another class in the evening – intention not often fulfilled!!
I am a relatively fit 77 with wonky knees and finger joints and would be grateful for recommendation for finger exercises for hands – probably quite minor but flipping painful after heavy use (gardening, millinery work ie pulling, stretching etc) and knitting for grandchild.
Warmest wishes to you – hope new babe is loving pilates action!
Gabrielle
Happy New year to you too Gabrielle. It’s difficult to give any specific advice on exercises without any assessment. Often if there are any arthritic changes in your finger joints then trying to regularly stretch the joints through their ranges is useful in reducing stiffness in the joints. Also placing them in warm water and exercises such as squeezing a sponge out or using a stress type ball for strengthening can also help. Best wishes, Vicky
Really enjoying the pilates classes,thankyou very much
Very grateful,for your online classes. In normal times I it difficult to find a Pilates class at a time that suits me but this is a perfect offer as I can attend before or after work, especially as I spend so much time sitting at a computer. Thank you for reminding me to breathe and relax my shoulders.
I have just done the abs and core energiser ( week 3) and thought it was an absolutely super class. Thank you so much.
Great. Thank you Sarah. Glad you enjoyed it.
I am really enjoying the January classes. Absolutely perfect and i feel so much better for taking time out and taking part. THANK YOU VICKY
Thanks Lizzie. That is so nice to hear 🙂
Hi Vicky, I’m new to Pilates and have been thinking about trying it out. I have a 19 month old and would really love to slim down and get fitter. Can you please tell me if I need any equipment to do these sessions ie resistance bands etc? Thank you x
Hi Katherine. No, you don’t need anything. Most people will use a mat but it is not essential as long as your floor is relatively comfortable. Following a survey I did recently I will be doing more classes with equipment as this was requested. But almost all the classes on the site at the moment use only a mat :).
Thank you for some lovely classes; I think they are wonderful. The only disappointment is that the sound is inconsistent and sometimes I cannot hear you – it fades away. I do have the volume on full – but it makes no difference. However, I think what you do is lovely. Thank you.
Hi Trish. Thanks for your feedback. I apologise for some of the sound issues. This is more apparent in the older classes were I was using a lapel mic. I have now invested in a microphone and audio recorder that is better quality and stays in place a little better :). All the classes from January onwards should have this improved sound (although, I am no technical whizz and am happy to admit I am still on my learning curve with editing these videos)
Hi, l particularly want a focus of pelvic floor exercises, fairly new to Pilates and am a Yoga Teacher, can you recommend a class or style of class? Looking forward to doing some with you!! Xxx
Hello, If Pilates is quite new to you and you want to work on your pelvic floor it might be worth having a look at our ‘engaging core’ tutorial video as it’s always important to get the basics right first. You can find this video here https://pilateslive.co.uk/principles-of-pilates/core-stability/ . There are lots of different classes to choose from on the website that involve working your pelvic floor and deep abdominal core muscles so you can choose length of class etc. You may like to try something like this https://pilateslive.co.uk/pilates-classes/core-pelvic-floor-upper-body-workout/ . i hope you enjoy the classes, Vicky
Hi Vicky
I have tried several of your classes now and really enjoyed them. I normally pay for yoga classes (pre pandemic) but you have converted me to pilates so I will be paying you in future and doing my work outs at home 🙂
I just need to get my husband on a mat too with his lower back pain…
Thank you
Sally-Ann
Hi Sally-Ann, thank you so much for your comment and your support. I am glad you have been converted :). PS – regarding your husband, there is a class on lower back pain currently available on the site: https://pilateslive.co.uk/pilates-classes/pilates-for-lower-back-pain/ that may be suitable… + I am working on a whole back pain / strengthening series that will be available early March that he may be interested in.
All best
Hi Vicky,
I have recently stumbled onto your website and am enjoying the January Calendar. How long will it remain live? I am only at week 1.
Thank you.
Hello. I have no plans to take it down. Glad you’re enjoying it!
Hi Vicki
Hope you and your family are well. Really enjoying your January calendar. Great to see you adding a new class every week. It would be great if you could do a February calendar too. Thank you
Val
Hello Val, Really great to hear you are enjoying the January calendar! We already have new classes planned for February which we are excited about sharing but we will look at doing another calendar again soon! best wishes, Vicky
Hi Vicky, thankyou very much for this January programme. I have been doing the sessions virtually with my Mum and Sister (with me sharing the screen via Skype) and it’s been great! Thanks again, Laura
So glad you have liked it!
Hi Vicky,
Thank you for the January class calendar. It’s been great to follow a programme and see the difference that regular Pilates has made to my flexibility over the course of the month. I’ve been mixing classes up with running 3 x a week so I’m still working my way through the programme. Will the calendar still be available on your website over the next few days?
Thanks so much!
Hi Anna, yes. I have no plans to take it down so don’t worry. Glad you’ve enjoyed it. If you’re into your running, you may also like these classes too, 🙂 https://pilateslive.co.uk/all-pilates-classes/pilates-classes-for-runners/
Hi Vicky Just want to say thank you so much for all the effort you put into your classes. They are first class! So easy to follow and the range of levels is perfect. When I used to attend a weekly or twice weekly class, I always felt I wanted to do more at home but could never remember the sequence of exercises so tended not to. With your classes I can do a bit every day in a guided and structured way wherever I am. The different class lengths are also really useful as I can pick and choose according to how much time I have available on any given day. I plan to start running again soon. Having been plagued with injuries, including a bike collision causing spinal fractures and then a year later when I started exercising again, a fully ruptured achilles tendon, it’s been a long road back to fitness. However, as a determined state pensioner (just!) I remain committed to be as fit as I can be and your classes have signficantly helped me to achieve that objective. Thank you x
PS I really like the calendar. It would be great if that model could be repeated every so often x
Hi Shirley. Thank you and I am so glad to hear about your progress! Yes, the calendar seems to have been very popular! – I am looking in to creating another one for spring :). In the meantime I am working on some new classes for February as well as some shorter series that will be available very soon.
Really liked your mix of January Classes. Will there be a similar February set? Thanks for all your hard work putting these together and sounding so encouraging!
Hi Hilary, thanks for your comment. In February there will be a mix of classes targeting different parts of the body (sign up to the newsletter to be the first to hear…if you have’t already!) Following feedback I gathered from regular particupants just before xmas I have a list of classes and activities that have been requested :). I will also be releasing a new section on the site that collates series of classes together very soon, so you can follow a programme of your choosing when you like. Although at first these will be series of 4 classes opposed to a calendar like we did in January. However, as the January programme was so popular I will also work on creating another very soon as well. Although not for February I am afraid – probably March or April.
For the last 15 years, I have worked 3 times weekly with a bio and twice a week with my pilates instructor on a reformer. During this pandemic and lockdown, I started doing a daily routine with Pilates Live. This has truly changed my life. I was extremely worried about the impact of not being able to work face to face with my fitness team but Vicky’s expertise and safe pilates space have supported me throughout. I referred approximately 30 people to your site, some are now regulars and others I am not sure if they ever followed up. I start every day with Vicky, sometimes for a short class and sometimes with a full body and much longer class. I love them all.
I just know that I cannot harm myself because your exercises are safe. I am 65 years old with multiple sclerosis and such a fan of your work and a firm supporter. I always look forward to your new classes.
Hi Ina. Thank you so much for letting me know and for your kind words and support. All the best.
Dear Vicky
I suffer from chronic back pain at the age of thirty five.I was offered a back operation which I refused. Hence my doctor have told me recently that there is nothing they can do. I am nearly sixty nine and you have changed my life by reducing my pain immensely.
Your instructions are so clear and straightforward that sometimes I am able to close my eyes while doing these movements.Also because I do your Pilates daily it adds to the interpretation of knowing what to do. I honestly could not complete the day without doing a class.
Thank you Vicky!
Pauline
Hi Pauline, Thank you for your lovely comment. It is so nice to hear that he classes have helped to improve your symptoms. best wishes, Vicky