If you If you’re looking for a new workout routine that will improve your balance, strength, flexibility, and muscle tone, Pilates may be the answer.
This fairly simple exercise has many benefits and is why Pilates is so popular on the internet right now. It’s very easy to do and costs almost nothing to participate in. Pilates is also great for beginners who want to get started on exercise.
So what is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of mind-body exercise developed in the early 20th century. It’s been around for over 100 years and is essentially a collection of low-impact exercises that help you link and coordinate your movement with your breath.
How exactly does it work?
Get out your gym mat and get ready to work your core like never before. Pilates is a specific sequence of exercises that emphasizes technique. Technique is very important. A Pilates workout lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of movements you’re performing.
It’s important to know that Pilates is not aerobic exercise, so you should consider combining Pilates with aerobic exercise a few times a week.
Credit: Bruce Mars on Unsplash
What do you get from Pilates?
Pilates workouts improve your overall posture because of the emphasis on technique. Strong core muscles improve posture because you can’t maintain posture without them. These workouts also strengthen your arm and leg muscles. Most of these exercises are weight-bearing, so you’ll experience the burning sensation that comes with them. Pilates has also been proven to relieve lower back pain. Pilates can improve your sense of balance and improve your flexibility if you do it consistently. Many of these exercises require you to balance and utilize your flexibility. Exercises like the side plank are pretty difficult without a sense of balance. So repetition can improve your flexibility a lot. You also have the benefit of improving your mobility because you keep moving your body from one exercise to another quickly. Consistency helps keep your body flexible and prevents future injuries. The more you move your body, the less likely you are to get injured.
“Pilates improves function, alignment, core strength, posture, control, focus, breathing… the benefits are numerous.”
-Glenn Ostergaard
Pilates vs. Yoga
Pilates and yoga are often confused and considered to be the same thing, but they are not. Yoga provides strength, flexibility, balance and meditation. Meditation is the main difference. Pilates provides core strength. Over time, the training becomes more difficult. There are many different forms of these exercises, but Pilates always repeats the same 50 exercises. It is important to know that these are different trainings and have completely different effects on the body.
Credit: Logan Weaver (Unsplash)
Does anyone else do Pilates?
Pilates has fascinated many people all over the world, some of the famous names you may recognize are: Lebron James, Megan Fox, Hilary Duff, Reese Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian, Sandra Bullock, Harry Styles, Kendall Jenner and many others trust Pilates for their training. Most of these people started Pilates at a young age, around our age. It has been an important part of their training routine for decades. Celebrities don’t always stick with one thing for long, but if they stick with this one, it must be a good thing.
How do you get started?
Remember that Pilates should be an addition to your regular training: try to do it once or twice a week. To work out your whole body, try to combine Pilates with aerobic exercise such as walking or running.
Invest in a rubber gym mat to work on along with your foam roller. These two pieces of equipment are essential for successful Pilates. Rubber mats and foam rollers are usually around $10-20 each, so they are pretty cost-effective. They last a long time, so it’s very important to invest in them now. They’re a buy-it-once-and-done kind of thing.
Clothing is also very important. The clothes you wear should allow you to stretch and move freely. Your body should be able to breathe and move. Your shoes will depend on where you do your Pilates training. If you are at home, you can go barefoot. If you are at the gym, you should wear shoes that have good grip.
All that’s left is to find a Pilates workout!
Credit: ArsAdAsta (via Pixabay)
Where can I find Pilates training?
Sure, most gyms have Pilates classes you can join, but they cost money. If you’re not willing to commit to a gym regularly outside of Pilates classes, a membership might not be the best idea. Gyms are great because they’re motivating and the instructors are there to help you perfect your technique, but they can get expensive.
So here’s another solution: home workouts. With a Pilates workout at home, you can work out at your own pace, skip some, and no one can see you. YouTube is a great place to find these types of videos. Start with short workouts and gradually make them longer. Don’t underestimate these workouts, it would be a big mistake.
At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you and your body. Choose an environment that helps you improve and motivates you.
summary
Pilates is not just exercise. It is a way of life, it creates mindfulness and makes your life better overall. We want to see Pilates change your life! Celebrities and influencers practice Pilates with amazing results. Try it for a week and see how it makes you feel. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel!
Share your results in the comments and be sure to take the quiz!
