Yoga or Pilates? An Unfit Middle-Aged Mans Experience.

So it’s nearly March again and maybe our new Year’s exercise regimes are tailing off a bit but us middle-aged men are still aware of our excess belly flab, stiff hamstrings and constantly aching backs. Someone has probably told us we should try Pilates or Yoga. But why? And which one? Well, over the last 4 months I’ve been trying them both in a “from coach potato to a “…now sink into your Downward dog” kind of a way”, via quite a lot of prayer positions to be honest!

After 40 years of sport (and probably about 2 days of stretching if you add them all together) I couldn’t really reach much below my knees let alone touch my toes. I tend to wake up wondering how to get myself out of bed (and I mean literally how), having suffered with fairly 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 and a very dominant lazy streak, coupled with some stupidly macho thing about Pilates and Yoga obviously being for flexible, strong women. But eventually the following list of reasons why I really should give them a go has prevailed:

• Big back spasms becoming more regular (needing help to go for a wee is not fun at 54!)

• Very stiff – stopping me doing everyday things like getting out of chair with saying oooHHHaaarrRRR!

• Always meant to (…tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow ....and all that)

• I’ve heard fantastic testimonials from other guys (and ignored them!)

• …and now I run my own Health & Fitness Studio so I’m there organising the classes most days anyway!

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 ever hamstrings like me. She starts teaching me new movements, poses and phrases like:

• Downward Dog (never seen my Working Cocker do it to be honest but never mind)

• Chaturanga (“Plank” to you and I)     

• Reverse Triangle

• Warrior (the macho me likes that one)

• Namaste (the light within me bows to the light within you)

• 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, I have to admit I start feeling the benefits almost immediately after the first class, so I decide to do at least two sessions a week, coupled with two weekly classes of Pilates!

Jess comments: “I can’t recommend yoga enough to all ages and abilities but especially middle-aged men who have maybe been physically active in the past playing rugby or football or those who are just starting out on their fitness journey. There is 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 great start to my first couple of Yoga classes, I decide to strike while I’m going well and give Pilates a good go as well. I’ve never even seen a Pilates class, let alone tried to do one, so I’m apprehensive when I strip off for my first attempt having persuaded a couple of mates, James and Jonny, to give it a go with me. Our instructor is the inimitable Fiona Clark. She turns out to really know her stuff and, to be frank, gets our abs, hips and back (or should I say our Core) to burn like hell. But, she somehow does it whilst periodically making us laugh at the same time! Now, that’s a talent for sure.    

Fiona has been teaching for 12 years and tells me it’s all based on a guy called Joseph Pilates who was a prisoner of war in a camp and devised 39 core exercises to strengthen his core and back. I’m delighted to say that she doesn’t attempt all 39 with us in week 1! When I enquire about the likely benefits or regular Pilates, she enthuses: 

“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 longer!. 

By now I’m starting to think about breathing a lot more than I ever have.  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, something we rarely do in this busy world. That in turns allows us to slow down, reflect, learn about ourselves and grow both physically and mentally”.

Back to Pilates and 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 and pleased with myself and so are my mates, both vowing to give it a few weeks of dedication at least. Fiona states:

“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 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 thereby protecting the spine. Cyclists and runners particularly receive massive benefits”.

Both Fiona and Jess are truly inspirational, as are Lara Kate and Olga who also teach at the GoFest Active Studio. They make it look so easy, explaining the poses or moves effortlessly whilst going through it with us and correcting our technique whenever necessary to ensure we avoid injury whilst gaining maximum benefit from each movement.  

So, 3 months into my new regime of 2 classes 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 easily! I’m still a long 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 that 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. I love the discipline of Pilates and I love the freedom of Yoga. The two work so well together and can build strength and flexibility in two very different ways”. 

We’ve got quite a wide age range of clients at the GoFest Active Studio so I ask Fiona if there’s an age that you would consider is too old or too young to start Pilates? She comments: “There is no age limit - I have many octogenarians in my classes but children should probably be senior school age before starting.”Jess agrees from a Yoga viewpoint: “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. Yoga can help you heal from past injuries and can be the perfect therapy after a difficult day.”

The spiritual element of Yoga is also a key part of it all. I’ve surprised myself as to how much I’ve enjoyed this aspect. Jess concurs: “Yoga allows us to build flexibility in the body which in turn allows us to build flexibility in the mind. This helps us in stressful work situations and when life gets tricky and complicated”. 

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”.

For more information, book classes or join our optional membership at GoFest Active Studio in Cranleigh:  https://www.gofestactive.co.uk/