How to set up an ipad for an online pilates class
Have you ever struggled to set up an ipad for an online pilates class?
If you’ve ever tried to set up an ipad for an online pilates class then you probably know how difficult it can be to get exactly the correct angle so that your camera is pointing at your body instead of the ceiling.
After many attempts at delicately propping up the ipad against the tv or wall, you walk over to your matt, turn around and see that it’s fallen over again. Then you have that maddening dash to readjust before the pilates instructor starts the next move. Before you know it the set of exercises is finished and you’ve missed out on a whole section of a class.
Some people have got fantastic gadgets that hold up the ipad for you including this nifty looking one that has a table clamp, extendable arm and 360degree adjustable ipad holder.
For those that don’t want to spend money or need a quick solution now for your next online pilates class, why not try this easy and free solution.
Easy and free solution to set up an ipad for an online pilates class
We have been busy experimenting with different ways of propping up an ipad and by far the most sturdy and easiest is using a few books. Hopefully in this technologically advanced day and age we still have some books lying around the house!
In the examples below we’ve used four books infront of the ipad and one behind. The ipad is actually tilted ever so slightly forward so it is leaning onto the four books. The book behind the ipad is simply stopping it from sliding backwards.
The books at the front need to be propped up on the side with the button so that the front ipad camera is free from obstruction.
Having the ipad sitting on a coffee table rather than the floor means the pilates instructor will get a slightly better view of your pilates movements. But if you don’t have a coffee table then the floor is fine.
The view of the back of the ipad
In this photo you can see the books are on the right hand side of the ipad. This keeps the camera on the front of the ipad free from any books.
The ipad is slightly tilted forwards towards the right of the photos by about 1-2degrees.
A top down view of the ipad and book set up
How far away from the ipad should I stand/ sit/ kneel or lie for an online pilates class?
We reckon that if your ipad is on a coffeee table then your mat should be about 7-9 feet away for your body to fit in the video.
If you’re doing standing exercises then the ipad is better to be a little higher like on a tv stand and again you should be about 7-9 feet away.
Having the camera in the corner of the room pointing inwards normally allows you to get a decent amount of space between you and your ipad – although you may need to be creative depending on space.
Be creative in small spaces
If your house is slightly smaller then creativity is key here – trying lots of different set ups before the class starts will help you feel more comfortable and let you concentrate on completing the online pilates class rather than worrying about camera angles. In the photo below we have the camera abuot 5 feet away and can still get a decent amount of the body in the video.
So that’s my top tips on setting up an ipad for an online pilates class. Hopefully that is useful and perhaps we will start seeing less ceilings and more bodies during classes!
Tim@advancephysio