Watch Ruth’s Home Studio Set-Up Bloopers!

Setting up a Pilates Home Studio.

Just about everything has gone online now. It’s the new normal, but it’s far from what we’re used to doing!

In my recent experiences teaching online, there’s one thing that has made some of these experiences better than others – being prepared!

 

FIVE SET UP TIPS FOR A BETTER ONLINE CLASS EXPERIENCE:

1) Find the perfect vantage point.

Set up your device ahead of time so you can dive right into the class and rid yourself of any anxious energy. Set up with the screen facing you/ the mat with the camera on in video mode; this will let you know how much of you can be seen by the instructor.

Select a vantage point that gives a full side view of you on the mat either slightly elevated above mat level or significantly elevated with a slight angle facing down on the mat. 

It’s also helpful to have a second set up for standing work, which captures your whole body.

If you can find a spot that allows for both a full view of the mat and standing, it saves you moving the device around during the session, but that’s not always possible!

I use a small tripod on a bookshelf for my phone and just the bookshelf for my laptop, but you can get creative with books etc. to prop up your device.

2) Set up your space before class starts. 

If you’re taking a movement class, you need to be able to move! Clear enough space that you can reach your arms and legs wide – lie down and do some snow angels, stand and do lunges in all directions and make sure you can open your arms wide here too. Make sure that when you do all these movements, you can see yourself doing them on your device screen (see tip 1!)

3) Have all your “toys” handy.
If you need equipment or props for your class, have them on hand before class. Check to see if the organizer has posted this information. If you’re not sure what you’ll use, have everything you can think of on hand.

4) Make sure you can hear the instructor well. 

Give your device a test run with a friend or family member. Stand well back of the device and see if you can still hear the conversation. Consider using an external speaker – wired or Bluetooth or using wireless headphones. Be sure to test these before class starts too!

5) Remember that we are using the internet and that it may not be steady and reliable. 

Set yourself up in the same room as your router or hardwire yourself into the router, and you’re more likely to have a smoother experience.

I use a Powerline ethernet connection, which costs about $100, and it has helped a lot.

If your signal is “unstable” and the instruction is getting “sticky” keep going on the last thing you were doing or take a moment to rest and breathe. If you’re really stuck- disconnect and reconnect! 

 

And finally, some online etiquette to help us all.

If you’re in a group class on Zoom, keep yourself muted until after class. The instructor is not going to forget to tell you what props you’ll need or anything else pertinent to the success of your class, I promise!

Take a moment to Pin the Video in Speaker View. 

Hover over the instructor’s picture, and you’ll see the word “mute” and next to that three little dots in blue and white – click the dots and the option to “Pin Video” should appear. Selecting Pin Video means that even if someone has forgotten to mute themselves, you’ll still see the instructor as your main view!

 

With these little tweaks, we hope you’ll get more bang for your online buck!  

Stay home, stay well and keep moving!