how to know when your resistance is too high
With our new policy around weights we wanted to offer more on the reasoning of why we don’t go too heavy during Barre and Pilates along with a cheeky visual on how to spot when your resistance is too high. So, how do you know if your resistance is too high for your Barre or Pilates class? In Barre we use lighter weights at quick tempos for a very high number of reps so that you work your muscles (and raise your heart rate) to the max without putting stress on your joints. In Pilates, we perform very precise exercises to target the smaller, stabilizer muscle groups so we avoid heavy weights to keep us from recruiting those larger muscle groups.
Signs your equipment might be too heavy:
Using momentum: you're swinging your torso, lifting your shoulders, or moving your pelvis to help you hoist the weight upwards. (See Lily, Ahsley, and Caitlin.)
Sacrificing range of motion: you're making your movements smaller just to finish the rep, skipping the full extension. (See Ashley and Olivia.)
If you find yourself hoisting the weight or unable to move through the full range of motion your instructor is demonstrating, especially within the first few reps, it's time to grab a lighter band or set of weights! This does come with one caveat: if you're looking to build muscle, your form should start to slip, but it should be near the END of the exercise when your instructor is telling you it's the last few reps or your headed into that dreaded set of pulses. You are on YOUR fitness journey. Not your Barre neighbor's or instructor's. It may feel like taking a step back to go down in resistance, but in this context it's the opposite. It's helping ensure you are working the correct muscle groups so that you WILL get stronger in the safest way possible.
We will post soon about how to know when you SHOULD go up in weight. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. XO, the Splendid Barre team.
