The Benefits of Pilates

There are many benefits of Pilates, and Pilates is a great way to add variety to your fitness program.

Pilates (pronounced puh-LAH-teez) is a method of exercise named after its inventor, German born Joseph Pilates, who developed Pilates in the 1920's. Pilates is based on six basic principles: Centering, Control, Concentration, Precision, Flowing Movement, and Breathing. Pilates emphasizes quality over quantity, and Pilates exercises don't include a lot of repetitions for each move. Instead, each exercise is done fully and precisely. Professional dancers have used Pilates for decades, and many top athletes now use it.

Pilates consists of a series of exercises done on the floor or using special equipment. The floor exercises are done in either a sitting or lying down position. Pilates exercise equipment, with names like the Reformer and the Cadillac, utilizes resistance from the participants own body weight. Many Pilates exercises require you to hold your torso in place while moving your limbs in different directions.

Top 5 Benefits Of Pilates

1. Increases core strength. The core is all of the muscles of the midsection and the lower back, and developing a strong core is the foundation of Pilates. A strong core stabilizes the spine, improves body alignment, and increases strength, balance, and flexibility. A strong core also helps prevent poor posture, lower back pain, and muscle injuries, and helps you perform just about any physical activity better.

2. Increases flexibility. While Pilates is not as focused as yoga is on stretching and flexibility, Pilates still involves plenty of stretching and is a very good way to increase flexibility.

3. Provides a safe workout. Pilates exercises are very low impact but still provide a challenging workout. Pilates puts no stress on the joints and no wear and tear on the ligaments and cartilage around the joints, especially the knee and shoulder joints. Pilates is used in many physical therapy facilities to rehabilitate injuries.

4. Works the entire body. Pilates works the entire body, unlike many other training programs that only work certain muscle groups. Pilates is a great way to prevent muscle imbalances and potential injuries, because a Pilates workout will never overtrain or undertrain any muscle groups.

5. Improves mental health. The mind-body connection is fundamental to Pilates. Pilates reduces stress, anxiety, hostility, and depression. The smooth, precise, and flowing movements of a Pilates workout will leave you feeling calm, balanced, and rejuvenated.

In conclusion, the benefits of Pilates are powerful, and it's not surprising that Pilates has become one of the most popular forms of exercise.

Recommended Resource

YogaAccessories.com sells Pilates accessories in addition to yoga accessories. They sell high quality products at the lowest prices on the internet. They carry a great selection of Pilates DVDs.

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