Written by Han McKimm
Programs and challenges are both great ways to help you to stay motivated and on track towards your exercise goals. Let’s break down exactly what each of them is, so that you can choose the one that suits your needs, personality and lifestyle so you can get the best results.
What is a challenge?
At Our Pilates, a challenge is a short (5-14 days) series of classes, designed to boost motivation and help you to create a positive exercise routine. There will usually be a theme to the challenge, with each class being relevant to this theme and balanced across the duration of the challenge. Han plans our challenges so that there is a variety of repertoire each day and a good mix of classes to keep you interested and excited to roll out your mat.
The intensity of a challenge is usually quite high and there will be a daily class to complete. The reason behind this high frequency is to give you a quick boost of endorphins and serotonin so that you immediately feel the benefits of regular exercise. It is not suggested or expected that you will maintain this intensity once the challenge is over, think of it as a kick start to a more realistic exercise routine.
Sticking to a short term goal is generally much easier than a big long term goal. So by joining a challenge that goes for 1-2 weeks, you can easily see the finish line and are very likely to get to the end. This gives you a great sense of achievement and a positive attitude towards exercise. This is a great way to lay the foundations of a consistent exercise routine moving forward because you are already feeling good about your experience.
What is a program?
Our Pilates programs are more about hitting your longer term goals. Ranging from 3-10 weeks in duration, our programs take you on a journey from start to finish to reach your goals and to see and feel results. Consisting of between 3-5 classes per week and building in intensity from beginning to end, a program is a sustainable way to exercise consistently for a longer period of time.
Han designs our programs to work towards a specific end goal and to feel balanced across each week. Each class is specific to the goal of the program and as the weeks progress, the classes become more challenging. By the end of the program, you should be very aware of the progress you have made. Depending on the goals of the program, you will feel stronger, more flexible and more in control of your movements.
A program sets you up with a realistic and sustainable exercise routine that you can maintain long term. For this reason, they are an effective way to really see and feel the change in your body and mind.
Which is best suited to me?
This really depends on what you’re looking for and how your mind works. If you know you’re an ‘instant gratification’ kind of girl, then I would definitely start with a challenge. The quick burst of energy and short-term commitment will be much more suited to you and you are far more likely to stick to the plan.
If you are more of a ‘slow burn’ type, who likes to commit to something and see it through, then a program is for you. You can put your classes into your calendar and plan ahead to the end, ticking them off as you go. A program is also more suited to anyone who just can’t commit to a class every day, even for a short period of time.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a challenge is there to kickstart your routine, whereas the programs are created to actually achieve your goals. So if you do have a specific goal in mind, but really need that boost first, you could start with a challenge and then move into a program to really get those results.
The beauty of exercising from home is that you can try a program or challenge, and if it isn’t for you, you can just switch whenever you like! You’re far better off starting something than thinking about it and putting it off.
Either way, the benefits you will see from committing to either a challenge or program are:
- Boost motivation
- Set up a consistent exercise routine
- Experience new classes you may not have tried before
- Focus on a specific goal or body part
- Increase energy levels
- Improve mood and mental health
- Gain a deeper knowledge of your Pilates technique
- Strengthen your mind-body connection
Ready to try one?
Examples of Our Pilates Challenges are:
Examples of Our Pilates Programs are:
- 21 Day Transformation (3 Weeks)
- Foundations (4 Weeks)
- Technique (6 Weeks)
- Tone (8 Weeks)
- Running Programs (10 Weeks)
If you are still unsure or have any other questions I haven’t answered in here, please just reach out at hello@ourpilates.com.au, I am happy to help!
Han x