FlowPilates and hip osteoarthritis
This is how FlowMat builds pilates classes for a student with hip osteoarthritis. They are the app's real rules, reviewed by a medical committee: what isn't recommended is never suggested, and what needs care comes with a warning for the teacher.
500 exercises in the catalog
Guidance for the class
Exercises FlowMat does not suggest
No exercise is ruled out for this condition: the care is in how each one is done. FlowMat suggests them with a warning and, when one exists, a gentler variation.
Exercises that come with a warning
Examples of exercises that do appear, with the guidance the teacher gets.
Open the leg only until you feel a gentle stretch, without forcing the hip joint.
If you feel hip discomfort, loosen the leg cross or sit on a higher cushion.
Rest the knees on cushions if you feel tightness or discomfort in the hip.
Do the stretch gently, without forcing the end range of the hip.
Place a cushion under the top knee if the bent position feels uncomfortable.
Bring the knee to the chest only as far as the hip feels pain-free.
Work within a small, pain-free range and don't force the end of the swing.
Work within a pain-free range and use a cushion if your hip doesn't tolerate full flexion.
Keep the circles small and within a pain-free hip range.
Reduce how high you lift the top leg if you feel hip discomfort.
Lower the height and range of the kick if your support hip hurts.
Reduce how high you lift the legs and avoid raising them above hip height.
and 49 more in the app's catalog.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do pilates with hip osteoarthritis?
It depends on each person and on what their treating doctor says. FlowMat does not replace that judgment: it helps the teacher plan the class, avoiding what isn't recommended with hip osteoarthritis and flagging what needs care.
What does FlowMat do with exercises that are not recommended?
It never suggests them when building the class, and they don’t show up as a replacement when you swap an exercise either.
Can I change the class FlowMat builds?
Yes. You can swap, remove, add or reorder exercises and adjust the reps. The catalog only offers exercises that are safe for the student.