10 Reasons Why Pilates is Good For You
Pilates is a low-impact workout effective at strengthening, lengthening, and toning your muscles through controlled, repetitive movements. Pilates is all about slow, controlled movements—but its fitness and health benefits are supercharged. Whether you go for a class on a mat, one on a reformer (a flat, bed-like machine with muscle-strengthening springs), or a more contemporary variation with equipment like spring-loaded chairs and megaformers, you’ll notice the benefits from day one.
Here are a list of the 10 benefits of Pilates. Why not give it a try!
It gives you a rock-solid core
The core muscles of the body are the deep muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvic floor. These muscles support a strong, supple back, good posture, and efficient movement patterns. When the core is strong, the rest of the body is supported. The neck and shoulders can relax, and the rest of the muscles and joints are free to do their jobs. Pilates involves a variety of abdominal exercises, which help to improve not only the strength of the core muscles but also their endurance. But exercises that target your tummy are hardly the only reason it’s a dynamo core workout. Most Pilates moves require you to keep proper alignment and challenge your stability to stay balanced, which helps fire up your midsection.
It makes you more flexible
Pilates has been a favorite of dancers for decades and now we know why. The workout is about strengthening and stretching—and research has shown it comes with a major muscle-loosening payoff. Fantastic for increasing flexibility for runners and cyclists too who naturally have tight muscles.
It improves your posture
A big focus of Pilates is maintaining good posture and balance as you slowly move through all the movements. So it makes sense that doing a mat or reformer routine will help you sit and stand tall the rest of the time too. A strong back, glutes, and abs won’t just look good but are key for nailing perfect posture.
Pilates is a whole body workout
Pilates trains the body as connected whole, focusing on the core, lower body, and upper body strength as well as flexibility and posture.
Pilates workouts promote strength, balanced muscle development, flexibility, and increased range of motion for extra joint mobility.
Attention to core support and full-body fitness, including the breath and the mind, provide a level of integrative fitness that is hard to find elsewhere. It is also a reason that Pilates is popular in rehab settings, as well as with athletes who find that Pilates is a great support routine, inhibiting injuries.
Pilates is for everyone
Whether you are an unfit older person, an elite athlete, or somewhere in between, the foundations of Pilates apply to you and your body. The focus on building core strength, proper posture, and the body-mind connection make Pilates accessible to all.
With thousands of possible exercises and modifications, Pilates workouts can be tailored to individual needs. There are ways you can adapt the exercises, and there are even specific considerations for Pilates for men and during pregnancy. If you have any current or past injuries or other particular concerns, you can work with a trained Pilates instructor to learn modifications.
It helps with weight loss
If you practice Pilates regularly, it will change your body. Known for creating long, strong muscles, Pilates improves your muscle tone, balances musculature, supports beautiful posture, and teaches you to move with ease.
As a full-body fitness workout, Pilates can help you lose weight. You obviously need to ensure this is balanced with a healthy diet.
Combined with cardio and a healthy eating plan, Pilates becomes a prime weight loss and body toning tool. To get started you can either join a Pilates class or a one-on-one class with a recognized Pilates trainer.
Pilates increases energy
The more you exercise, the more energy you have. And the more energized you are, the more you'll feel like doing your exercise routine. Pilates is a great low-impact form of exercise that can be incorporated into your daily routine.
Improves sports performance
As Pilates helps to balance your body, develop muscular symmetry and align your posture, sportsmen and women find that Pilates can help to reduce the likelihood of injuries.
Great for during pregnancy and post pregnancy
One of the great benefits of Pilates is how it can help with spinal and pelvic alignment. This is particularly beneficial for pregnant women and women who have just given birth, as the physical changes that come with pregnancy can put a strain on your alignment.
During pregnancy, Pilates can help to maintain your level of fitness, strengthen your pelvic muscles and also promote efficient body mechanics. These are ideal as your body prepares for childbirth.
During childbirth, the strengthened pelvic floor will also make it easier for mothers-to-be to give birth.
And after the pregnancy, Pilates can help you to get your pre-baby body back!
Pilates integrates body and mind
Joseph Pilates said that Pilates was about the "complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit." This is a secret of Pilates exercise. When you practice each movement with your total attention, the body and mind unite to bring forth the most benefit possible from each exercise.