The Benefits of Pilates

There are several 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. 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 exercisers own body weight. Many Pilates exercises require you to hold your torso in place while moving your limbs in different directions.

Pilates is based on six basic principles: centering, control, concentration, precision, flowing movement and breathing.

Here are the primary benefits of Pilates:

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, low back pain and muscle injuries.

Provides a safe workout. Pilates exercises provide a challenging workout while at the same time being very low impact. 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.

Works the entire body. Pilates works the entire body, unlike many other training programs that only work certain muscle groups. Because Pilates doesn't overtrain or undertrain any muscle groups, it helps prevent muscle imbalances and potential injuries.

Increases flexibility. While Pilates is not as focused as yoga is on stretching and flexibility, Pilates still involves some stretching and it will help increase flexibility.

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

As you can see, the benefits of Pilates are impressive, and it's not surprising that Pilates has become a very popular form of exercise.

Recommended Resource

The Pilates Power System is a complete guide to learning and practicing Pilates. It makes it easy for anyone to learn and practice Pilates without having to attend Pilates classes. Click here to learn more

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