Yoga or Pilates..for Middle Aged Men?

Yoga or Pilates? A middle-aged man’s journey from zero to...?

Maybe, like me, you've recently thought about your excess belly flab, super-stiff hamstrings or constantly aching back? Someone has probably mentioned you should try Pilates or Yoga. But why? And which one? ?Over the last 3 months, I’ve been trying them both in a ‘from coach potato to a… sink into your Downward dog’ kind of way, via quite a lot of prayer positions to be honest!

After 40 years of sport and just as long sitting at a desk or car (with approx. 2 days of stretching in total thrown in), I couldn’t really reach much below my knees, let alone my toes. I wake up wondering how (literally) to get myself out of bed, having suffered from regular, frightening back spasms.

“Why hadn’t I ever done anything about it before reaching the age of 54?”, I hear you ask. Well, a classic mix of lack of time / lazy streak, plus macho crap about Pilates and Yoga only being for flexible women! But, eventually, the following list of reasons why I really should give them a go has prevailed:

• Regular back spasms (needing help to go for a wee is not fun at 54!)
• Chronic stiffness – can’t out of a chair without saying “oooHHHaaarrRRR!”
• I’ve heard fantastic testimonials from other guys (and ignored them!)
• …and now I’ve just opened my own Health & Fitness Studio called GoFest Active Studio

So it was that I started my first ever Yoga class with the amazing Jess Gamlin at the GoFest Active Studio at Cranleigh Cricket Club. Jess has been teaching Yoga for over 5 years and has that great ability to flex (see what I did there!) her style to cope with experienced practitioners (known as Yogis I think) and complete novices with the tightest of hamstrings like me. She starts teaching me new movements and poses like:

• Downward Dog (seeing my Cocker Spaniel in a new way now!)
• Chaturanga (“Plank” to you and I)???
• Warrior (the macho me likes that one!)
• Savasana (a pose where you lie down completely relaxed at the end of the class… one of my personal favourites!)

Although it’s physically quite tough for a beginner, I have to admit I start feeling the benefits almost immediately so I decide to do at least two sessions a week, and two weekly classes of Pilates to test them both out.

Jess comments: “I can’t recommend yoga enough to all ages and abilities but, especially, to middle-aged men who have perhaps been physically active in the past. There can be a lot of fear for people starting yoga that they won’t be able to do it as they aren’t ‘flexible’ enough when, in fact, that’s exactly the reason to start!”.

So, motivated by my first couple of Yoga classes, I strike while the iron’s hot and give Pilates a good go as well. I’ve never even seen a Pilates class, let alone tried one, so I’m apprehensive when I strip off with 2 mates (steady!) for my first attempt. Our instructor is the inimitable Fiona Clark. She knows her stuff and, to be frank, gets our abs, hips and back (or should I say our “Core”) to burn like hell, whilst simultaneously making us laugh! Now, that’s talent for sure.??

Fiona has been teaching for 12 years and tells me it’s all based on a guy called Joseph Pilates who devised 39 core exercises to strengthen his core and back whilst incarcerated in a prisoner of war camp. I’m delighted to say that she doesn’t attempt all 39 with us in week one! Fiona states:?

“You will feel longer, stronger, leaner. All exercise benefits your mental wellbeing but Pilates will give you time to concentrate on your breath and make you feel much more flexible and stronger.” I like the sound of all of that but, at 5ft 8 on a good day, I really love the idea of feeling much longer!?

There’s quite a lot of breath control in Yoga as well, albeit all through the nose whereas Pilates uses specific mouth breathing techniques with pursed lips.?

As Jess comments: “Yoga is a chance for us to connect not only to our physical body but also to connect to our breath, allowing us to slow down, reflect, learn about ourselves and grow both physically and mentally.”

But back to Pilates, our first class includes aspects of pretending to paint circles on the ceiling, via our flexed feet… With only Art CSE Grade 3 to my name, I struggle a bit with that one! But, 50 minutes later and, despite not really being able to feel my left hip anymore, I’m surprisingly upbeat. Fiona comments:

“30 hours is the benchmark to see a difference.” As the only men in this class, I enquire if Pilates is really the thing for men to tone up and endeavour to consign our back pain to history. She’s typically forthright in her reply:

“ALL MEN WHATEVER AGE SHOULD DO PILATES!!!! Men are generally less flexible - tighter in the hamstrings and calves. Pilates promotes the lengthening of those muscles whilst strengthening the core and thereby protecting the spine. Cyclists and runners, particularly, receive massive benefits.”

So, 3 months into my new regime of 2 classes of each per week, I have to say I’m sold on both. I’ve lost weight, feel stronger and happier, and can even get out of bed…bonus! I’m still a way off touching my toes but my shins are getting some attention at least! Jess often encourages us to “sink into the stretch” and I’m now starting to understand what this means.

As still a relative novice to both disciplines, they feel like they are both good for me in slightly different ways.?

Jess comments: “In my opinion, Yoga and Pilates are the perfect partners. Pilates is a series of precise and controlled movements designed to connect us to our core”.

After 3 months, we’re starting to get quite a wide age range of clients at the Studio so I ask Fiona if there’s a maximum or minimum age to start Pilates? She comments: “There is no age limit”.?Jess agrees: “There’s no better time to start yoga than now. Old or young can benefit from regular classes. Whether you’re looking for a fast-paced Vinyassa style or a gentle stretch and meditation, there is something for everyone”.

So, should it be Yoga or Pilates for middle aged men who need to do something to greatly improve their core strength, flexibility and overall health. I agree with Fiona and Jess, that the answer really is “both” are beneficial and work in partnership to achieve all of these aims.

For more information, book classes or join our optional membership at GoFest Active Studio in Cranleigh: GoFest Active Studio

For more ideas about staying healthy in Surrey & beyond, visit:?GoToHealth

For accessories to help with bad backs and posture, visit: Healthy Home & Office

..and take a look at a quick clip of a GoFest Active Pilates class in action:

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