Skip the first few paragraphs and start reading below the video if you are not interested in New Years Resolutions and go straight to the Mens Pilates Class information.

It is that time of the year again …. some folks set “New Years Resolutions” or NYRs as I call them.

I’m not a fan of NYRs. Most of us are just about able to stick to them for the first three or four weeks of the year. Then it’s back to the old routines, habits and procrastination. Is that you?

What about picking a theme for the year in different areas of your life, e.g. “Freshness” in terms so of what you eat (bin processed foods) or “Positive Outlook”  in terms of mental self-talk or “Healthy Habits” in terms of being active and exercising.

Once you identified three or four themes, jot them down, write them into your diary, onto yellow Post-Its and place them into your wallet, at the dashboard of your car, on your phone, maybe set alarms to remind you of the themes regularly, ideally daily and ask yourself “What simple action can I take today to align my day with that theme and have fun 🙂 ?”.

Here a sample for above themes “Freshness” + “Positive Outlook” + “Healthy Habits”:
Get two pieces of fresh fruit for your in-between snacks in the office or when studying, take the stairs when bringing that important report to your manager or cycle/walk to the library when dropping off that novel or text book, encourage others to join in and “Always look at the bright side of life …. ” or think of James Brown’s song “I Feel Good”.

Make it easy for yourself to succeed and have fun doing so ! 
Get those post-its and your diary out and start writing … come on lets do it now !
Martin

Now to the Mens Pilates Classes in South Dublin, Dublin 16 – Dundrum and Dublin 18 Sandyford, Lambscross.

I’m teaching these classes for around six years now. Most guys join initially because of some lower back issues, some as they want to improve their core strength as they play golf, others look to get a bit more flexible and to loosen their back after a regular running sessions and so it goes on.

I mix (1) traditional Pilates with (2) general core strength exercises, similar to what you might have done as part of your GAA, Football, Rugby, Golf or other training, think 5-6 variations of planks and add (3) a good bit mobility and (4) flexibility work in, as most guys are simply to stiff. I round it up with (5) various body weight exercises e.g. squat or press-up variations to boost general strength.

The age profile of past class participants in the “Men Only Pilates Classes” varied from mid 20s to early to mid 70s, whereas the age of the majority of class participants probably ranges from early to mid 30s to early to mid 60s. All ages are welcome.

I generally look at what participants can do and what the exercises allow them to do if they keep them up.

Every class participants takes it at his own pace, as everybody has different exercise backgrounds or possibly back issues or minor niggling bits. I show always two or three different variations of the same exercise, so you can pick which every version is right for you.

Drop-Ins classes or Trial classes are possible. Please contact me a few days in advance to check availability, if you plan to try a class.

The fee for 8 consecutive weeks is €100 one class per week, Drop-Ins are €14.

These classes take place:
1. Tuesday 6-7pm – Dublin 18 – Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross
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2. Tuesday 8.15-9.15pm – Dublin 14 – Dundrum, Taney Parish Centre

Contact me with any other questions you might have or to book your course.
Martin