Although it may seem unusual, there are some legitimate reasons why people might want to exercise in bed. Before you dismiss the possibility out of hand, consider the following scenarios:
–You are staying in a hotel without a fitness center or a pool, and you are quite unfamiliar with the area. You don’t want to miss your workout again.
–You are just getting over a cold or other energy-zapping illness. The symptoms are subsiding, but you know that your normal workout routine would not leave you enough energy to get on with the rest of the day’s activities.
–It’s a rainy Monday morning and all you want to do is shut off the alarm clock and crawl back under the covers. Or it’s Saturday morning, and you have just slept in and want to stay in bed as long as possible.
–Your last pair of yoga pants hit the hamper yesterday, and you can’t go to the gym in your kitty cat PJs before heading to the laundromat.
–Your gym is closed for a rat infestation, a visit from a presidential candidate, or because the owner eloped and left for the honeymoon. Hey, it could happen!
There are definitely times when working out in bed might look like a good idea, or just a welcome break from the usual routine. But can you really get a decent workout in bed? Can someone even do Pilates on a mattress?
Benefits of Exercising in Bed
Believe it or not, it is possible to use only your mattress to do a Pilates workout. According to celebrity Pilates instructor Erika Bloom, who has developed such a workout, “The bed is a great, easy place to get a toning, lengthening workout using just your body weight.”
Turns out your mattress can function much like a Pilates Mat, with the extra spring giving a bit more resistance for exercises like the Bridge or the Flight position, which stretches the back muscles. The extra padding may even allow those with back and hip problems to find relief from the pressure a thin mat on a hard floor can put on sore muscles.
A Few Cautions
Those with injuries or chronic pain should be sure not to attempt any workout without their doctor’s okay. Also, pregnant women on bed rest may be tempted to try working out in bed, but it probably isn’t a good idea unless your obstetrician suggests it.
Workouts done entirely in bed will necessarily be limited; you probably won’t get much cardio benefit from this type of workout. But for those mornings when circumstances and/or your own lousy attitude don’t seem to be favoring a workout, it may be worth considering a bed workout rather than scrapping the idea of a workout entirely.
Final Thoughts
As many trainers will tell you, any workout, no matter how easy or mild, is better than none at all. Working out in bed may be enough to keep your muscles and joints limber in between gym workouts and may prevent you from losing ground in meeting your fitness goals.
Pilates Sports Center offers a full schedule of Pilates classes from beginner to expert, as well as teacher training programs up to and including PMA certification.
photo source: Flickr
