Pageant Pilates | Full Body Workout for Beginners

This is a 50 minute beginner pilates mat work out that you can do anywhere. You only need the space of a yoga mat. It's low-impact, super safe, and tightens your core, back, shoulders, and inner thighs.

When I competed at Miss America, I had gotten into great shape with a combination of cardio (running), strength (weightlifting), and daily pilates training. I actually upped my pilates workouts to twice a day every day during the two weeks leading up to the competition (thank you Sharmila at Core Arts Pilates.) Because it's low-impact, I did it everywhere... hotel rooms, before bed, and even random times during the day if there was down time I but had a full face of make up on and didn't want to get sweaty.

This is the longest video I've ever posted and I debated shortening the video to just the core exercises. But I decided to teach this in the form of a full class while demonstrating so that you can follow along with the sound of my voice. Just put this on the TV or prop up your phone and see how you like it! I built a lot of time in for rests in-between exercises so you can treat it like a moving meditation.

Doing 5 reps with the proper form and with the correct muscles engaged is better than doing 20 sloppy reps. Rather than quickly going through the motions, the pilates technique is more about being mindful of form and breathing through it. This beginner class moves slowly so that you can really focus on executing each movement safely and effectively. Have fun and drink lots of water when you're done!