Ruth Langsford has let fans in on her exercise routine, showcasing a specific workout on social media. The Loose Women panellist, 65, is a keen advocate for healthy living and claimed that her ‘core is already feeling stronger’.
“Weekend Pilates with @siobhanklloyd,” she wrote to her followers. “This move is called Baby Swan apparently – it was hard so I’m not looking forward to progressing to grown-up swan!! Really loving mixing up mat sessions and Reformer…my core is already feeling stronger.
“Determined to keep this up! Look like Flintsone’s Bam Bam with this tiny ponytail!” Although Pilates is often confused with yoga, the latter generally involves holding poses at a slower pace, whereas Pilates concentrates more on muscle toning.
Therefore, anyone aiming to shed pounds or build strength could benefit from Pilates. Medical professionals also recommend it for recovery from certain health issues.
However, its advice stresses that Pilates isn’t a foolproof method of relieving painful symptoms and that ‘more research is needed’ on the subject. It is recommended to seek GP advice first if you are interested in attending classes in these situations.
“More research is needed, but there is some evidence to suggest that Pilates can be helpful for people who have lower back pain,” the NHS explains. “Regular Pilates practice can help with posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility. It can also relieve stress and tension.
“…If you have back pain, you’re recovering from an injury, or have a health condition, speak to a GP before following these classes.” You may be surprised to hear that various other celebrities regularly partake in Pilates.
Jeremy Clarkson is among them, having revamped his fitness routine following life-saving heart surgery. Writing in his column for The Sunday Times, he said: “I’m always surprised when I wake the morning after a session to find my legs are stiff, because it doesn’t really feel like I’ve done very much at all. My instructor assures me, though, that I really have. And that makes me happy because so far I’ve relied on luck to keep me alive.”
Meanwhile, Love Island presenter Maya Jama also explained that Pilates is the only form of training that she doesn’t have to talk herself into doing. “I do one-to-one sessions with Marsha Lindsay at Nobu London and it’s great because it’s a lighter workout but you’re using every single muscle,” she told Women’s Health last year.
“You can also do it at midday, and it doesn’t leave you drenched with sweat. It’s the only form of exercise that I don’t have to talk myself into doing, and that’s a big thing for me!”