Strength training with Pilates while living with Gaucher disease
It's been the ideal exercise for me and my inflammation after giving birth
Pilates workouts have become my “me time.” Once or twice a week, I step away from everything else — work, parenting, and the constant noise of daily life — and focus on myself and rebuilding my strength.
After pregnancy, I felt especially weak, and Pilates offered a safe way to regain stability without putting unnecessary strain on my body. Over time, it’s become more than just exercise; it’s become a consistent practice that helps me feel strong, steady, and in control of my health.
Exercise is important for everyone, but it becomes even more essential when living with Gaucher disease, as I do. Movement helps strengthen the body, support fragile bones, and ease some of the fatigue and stiffness that come with the inflammation that’s common with Gaucher. For me, the form of exercise that’s made the biggest difference is Pilates.
Inflammation itself is part of the immune system’s natural defense; when something goes wrong, the body can trigger swelling, heat, or repairs to fight infection or heal tissue. In small doses, that’s protective. But when inflammation becomes chronic, as it often does with Gaucher disease, it does harm instead of good. Ongoing inflammation contributes to fatigue, bone pain, and long-term complications such as osteoporosis.
Since I gave birth recently, I was already feeling weak, so these effects were especially clear. I needed a form of exercise that would rebuild strength safely, without putting my bones at risk. High-impact workouts weren’t an option, but doing nothing wasn’t, either. Pilates turned out to be exactly what I needed.
What Pilates does for me
What makes Pilates rare is its combination of strength and mindfulness. On the reformer machine, the resistance and guided movements work deep muscles, improve posture, and build core stability. That’s especially important for someone with fragile bones; strong muscles help protect them, and better balance lowers the risk of falls. At the same time, Pilates is low-impact, so I can strengthen my body without putting stress on my joints or bones.
The other side of Pilates is its meditative quality. Each movement is paired with focused breathing, creating a calm, steady rhythm. Stress can actually worsen inflammation, so this mental reset is just as valuable as the physical workout. For me, Pilates has become a way to quiet the mind and strengthen the body.
Over time, I’ve noticed the changes. I feel stronger, more stable, and more confident in my movements. Living with osteoporosis often makes me feel cautious, as though one wrong step could cause harm. But with Pilates, I’ve regained trust in my body. That shift has been as much emotional as physical.
Exercise will look different for everyone with Gaucher disease, but finding something that’s both safe and sustainable is key. For me, Pilates has become exactly that. It’s a practice that supports my bones, counters the effects of inflammation, and reminds me, week after week, that my body is capable of strength.
Note: Gaucher Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Gaucher Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Gaucher disease.
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