This week, Chloë McPolin joins the TikTok trendsetters and tries out mat Pilates – even though it means giving her core a dreaded workout
Ball exercise: Chloë McPolin tries out a mat Pilates class at the Monday Studio in Rathmines, Dublin. Photo: Frank McGrath
Hobby comrades, everyone and their mother has been raving about mat Pilates. Every TikTok I have seen is telling me to put down the weights and start doing Pilates for my core. It’s the trendiest workout, with adorable baby weights in pastel colours and dainty ankle weights to boot. It is the style of class that encourages attention to the smallest detail, grippy socks and Lululemon sets.
To those unfamiliar with mat Pilates, firstly have you been living under a rock? Nonetheless, it’s a floor-based workout that strengthens your core, improves posture and flexibility, and helps you move with more control. It’s meant to be brilliant for everyone, but it focuses on my weakest part… the dreaded core.