Pilates improves flexibility and overall health, and here are six Bollywood celebrities who do Pilates to stay healthy.
A rigorous training plan can leave you feeling exhausted and unmotivated to exercise. But imagine a workout that combines traditional core-strengthening exercises with dance flows – that’s Pilates. Whether you practice it on a mat or specialized equipment, Pilates offers a versatile and comprehensive workout that strengthens the body and mind. But this low-impact exercise isn’t just trending among fitness enthusiasts; it’s also a staple in the fitness routines of Bollywood actresses. From Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone to Kareena Kapoor Khan, Bollywood beauties have embraced the power of Pilates to enhance their physique and overall health. Here are six Bollywood celebrities who do Pilates to stay healthy and in shape.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that offers numerous health benefits. It is a set of standard exercises that emphasize precision of movement, breath control, and working the muscles to increase muscle tone and stability. Unlike yoga, which emphasizes the mind-body connection, Pilates focuses on strengthening the core through structured exercises. Pilates can be performed using several pieces of equipment, including resistance bands, reformers, foam rollers, barrels, bars, mats, and blankets. Pilates can help improve posture and flexibility, relieve pain, increase balance and coordination, and improve overall mental health. According to a study published in the Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal, Pilates combines repetitive movements to stress muscles and increase endurance.
Bollywood celebs do pilates to stay fit
Here are some celebrities who use Pilates to improve their physical fitness:
1. Alia Bhatt
Aalia Bhatt is a reigning king in Hindi cinema. Be it reviving her ‘Poo’ days in ‘Student Of The Year’ or winning a National Award for acting in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, the actress has etched her name into the hearts of millions. Apart from delivering exceptional acting skills, she is also known for her fitness. She often shares glimpses of her fitness sessions on social media and attributes her toned and strong physique to Pilates. Her trainer Yasmin Karachiwala has created a rigorous program for Aalia to keep her in tip-top shape for demanding roles.
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2. Deepika Padukone
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who is expecting her first child with husband Ranveer Singh, is an avid follower of Pilates. She regularly engages in a rigorous fitness routine that includes Pilates, designed by trainer Yasmin Karachiwala. She has made Pilates a regular practice to build core strength, flexibility and muscle strength. Deepika’s dedication to her workout plan and diet is no doubt the secret to her good health.
3. Kareena Kapoor Khan
Kaalina Kapoor Khan has redefined fashion with her role as ‘Poo’ in Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham and often wows her fans with her workout sessions. The 43-year-old actress has no rival when it comes to fitness. She is a born and bred Pilates girl and her trainer Namrata Purohit often shares glimpses of her workout routine on her social media platforms. To strengthen her core and arm muscles and tone her body, Kaalina combines different Pilates exercises, including mat exercises and equipment-based Pilates. In fact, her transformation and fitness has become an inspiration for millions of women in their 40s.
Read also: Veteran actress Helen is doing Pilates at age 85! Find out if it’s safe
4. Sara Ali Khan
Princess of Pataudi and Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan’s transformation journey is a source of inspiration and motivation. She fought bravely against PCOD and reduced her weight from 96 kg to 45 kg by following a rigorous training plan that included Pilates. She is one of the celebrities who regularly do Pilates to stay ahead in the fitness game. Under the guidance of trainer Namrata Purohit, Sara incorporates various Pilates exercises in her training routine to increase her flexibility and strength. Undoubtedly, her fitness journey is proof that adopting a healthy lifestyle can improve your overall health.
Read also: 8 Ways to Improve Your Pilates Practice and Get Better Results
5. Janhvi Kapoor
Following in her mother’s (Sridevi) footsteps, Janhvi Kapoor is known to be passionate about fitness. The actress swears by Pilates to boost her overall health and wellness. Pilates helps her develop a strong core and improves posture and flexibility. Janhvi performed single leg deadlifts on the reformer under the guidance of celebrity trainer Namrata Purohit, which strengthens muscles, strengthens the core, improves balance and establishes a deeper connection between the mind and body.
6. Malaika Arora
When it comes to fitness, we can’t leave out the OG Malaika Arora. She is synonymous with fitness and her ageless looks are the result of a well-rounded fitness and diet plan. Apart from being a yoga pro, the diva is also a pilates fanatic to stay flexible, strong and toned. From mat exercises to machine-assisted pilates, she incorporates a variety of exercise techniques to boost her overall fitness.
Read also: 5 Effective Pilates Reformer Exercises for a Full Body Workout
What are the benefits of Pilates?
First introduced by physical education advocate Joseph Pilates, Pilates is believed to have a variety of health benefits.
1. Increased body awareness
Pilates emphasizes controlled movement, precise alignment, and conscious breathing, allowing you to focus on how your body moves and feels while exercising. It deepens the mind-body connection, leading to more efficient movement and improved posture and flexibility. According to Sports Health magazine, the concept of “mind over matter” is a key element of this exercise, helping to increase body awareness.
2. Strengthen your core
According to a study published in Sports Health, Pilates includes the shoulder and hip girdles for core strengthening and emphasizes posture as a comprehensive, full-body exercise. Core muscles such as the abdominal muscles, power back and pelvic floor are an important part of Pilates. By strengthening these muscles, Pilates improves posture, reduces pain and increases stability.
3. Increased flexibility
Pilates incorporates a variety of stretching exercises that can help improve flexibility. Exercises such as controlled muscle stretches help increase joint flexibility and mobility, allowing you to maintain your range of motion and move freely and comfortably.
4. Improve your posture
Good posture is essential to overall health, and Pilates can help you maintain it. With its focus on aligning and strengthening the core, Pilates can help reduce back and neck pain and improve posture.
5. Reduce stress
Besides the physical benefits, Pilates can also help improve your mental health. It helps reduce stress and clear your mind. According to a study published in the journal Social and Behavioral Science, Pilates helps improve mindfulness and body awareness through breathing techniques and controlled movements.
