FlowPilates and rheumatoid arthritis
This is how FlowMat builds pilates classes for a student with rheumatoid arthritis. 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.
If your wrists or elbows are inflamed, use very light weights or work without any.
Use very light weights and avoid gripping hard if your hands hurt.
Use very light weights and avoid gripping hard with your fingers.
Support hands and knees on a soft surface and reduce loading time if there is inflammation.
Use a low-resistance band and stop if the foot joints hurt.
Reduce pressure if the foot joints are inflamed.
Rest hands and knees on a soft surface and reduce loading time if inflamed.
On flare-up days, reduce range and speed; stop if the joints hurt.
Support hands and knees on a soft surface and shorten loading time if there is inflammation.
On flare-up days, reduce stretch intensity and avoid any pulling on the hand joints.
On flare-up days, move the toes without pressing or forcing the finger joints.
On flare-up days, do the stretch very gently or skip it if the wrist is inflamed.
and 1 more in the app's catalog.
How the class is adjusted
- Reps and times at 80% of normal.
- 20 seconds of rest between exercises.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do pilates with rheumatoid arthritis?
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 rheumatoid arthritis 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.