Pilates is focused on enhancing core strength, crucial for overall torso stability and fluid movement. The core, influencing both legs and upper body, is essential for everyday comfort, such as sitting and standing without pain. The aim is to move gracefully through balanced muscle development, addressing potential weaknesses and promoting full joint mobility. The workout …
Pilates is focused on enhancing core strength, crucial for overall torso stability and fluid movement. The core, influencing both legs and upper body, is essential for everyday comfort, such as sitting and standing without pain. The aim is to move gracefully through balanced muscle development, addressing potential weaknesses and promoting full joint mobility. The workout encompasses core strength, muscle control, and exercises emphasizing proper posture and movement patterns.
Read on to discover the benefits of pilates and to help yourself decide if this workout is something you want to incorporate into your fitness routine.
While the recent influx of celebrities sharing their experiences with pilates has skyrocketed the popularity of the workout, it was in fact first introduced a century ago. German born fitness trainer Joseph Hubertus pilates conceptualized this workout in the early 1920s. Initially Joseph tried out some of the techniques of pilates for rehabilitation of the injured during World War I. Later, he and his wife launched a fitness studio for pilates in New York for injured dancers. Acceptance of pilates by dancers led to its popularity among athletes and others in the entertainment industry. Since then, pilates had been perceived as a workout for the elite for many years until the past decade when more people started to benefit from the pilates program.
Pilates is centered on building core strength. Core strength is important because it develops stability for your entire torso and promotes ease of movement. The core is a group of muscles that influences your legs and upper body. According to Harvard Medical School, core strength helps the layman sit comfortably, stand up from the chair without pain. It allows athletes and dancers to move more efficiently thereby reducing the chance of injury and enhancing performance.
For the creator of pilates, the goal of the workout was to help people move with grace and ease through balanced muscular development. An imbalanced body can cause weakness in the muscles and prevent a joint from moving through its full range of motion. Along with core strength and muscle control, the workout also includes exercises which emphasizes proper posture and movement patterns.
Apart from being an exceptional stress reliever, pilates also happens to be body friendly. It is not a hard-core workout that pushes your body to its limits. Below are three other benefits that might entice you to try out pilates.
Having strong core muscles can help relieve some of the tension that is built in the muscles. Pilates contributes to the strength of your core and its surrounding muscles, promoting a resilient and flexible back. This is especially applicable for people who spend hours sitting and working at their desks and consequently suffer from neck and back pain. Exercise can relieve the pressure and allow the body to move freely. Pilates integrates controlled movements and breathing techniques, fostering a sense of relaxation.
Pilates is an excellent addition to your workout routine as it enhances strength and flexibility, bringing functional diversity to your exercises. The workout involves a great deal of stretching and strengthening of muscles which increase the range of motion. Greater range of motion will allow joints to handle the intensity of different kinds of movement, reducing the risks of pulling or tearing a muscle.
Pilates can help your body move more efficiently and maintain better posture. Pilates exercises prioritize proper body alignment and posture. Incorrect alignment may lead to imbalances and compensatory movements, potentially causing leg discomfort. This workout activates the muscles that support your trunk region which helps to stabilize the entire body. The exercises create a connection and awareness between mind and boy. Your posture benefits as the awareness of body movements improves.
Pilates is not as intimidating as it sounds. It is not just for professional dancers or the injured! The democratization of pilates has been going on for a decade now. It is quite an accessible form of workout considering that little or no equipment is required to get started. Although some people do use specialized equipment such as the reformer machines, you can do the workout on the floor with nothing but a mat. After you have done a few sessions, you can get small, affordable bits of gear such as a resistance band or exercise ball to further your practice.
There are many ways to modify the workout to fit individual needs based on age, weight, physical fitness and workout goals. pilates is flexible enough to accommodate people on all levels and abilities from professional athletes to absolute beginners. Like other workouts, it is recommended that you take it slowly at first and gradually up the intensity. With time, your understanding of the principles governing pilates will improve.
Pilates could be the perfect addition to your fitness program if..:
Now that you have researched enough about the basics of pilates, you may want to watch a couple of workout videos to get an idea of what to expect. Additionally, if you have any underlying health condition or have not exercised in a long time, you should consult your doctor before starting the program. To make the most out of the exercises and avoid injuries, beginners should start under the supervision of a seasoned and certified instructor.
Below are some resources which can help you get going:
Pilates Anytime: Access world-class pilates instruction anywhere and on your schedule.
Lindywell: Discover over 300 online pilates classes through your computer or mobile app.
Glo Pilates: Begin your practice in Pilates Path, a series of 16 beginner Pilates classes including a 7-day free trial.
Pilatesology: Get access to Unlimited Online Classical Pilates for $20/month.
Fitness Blender: Find short instructional videos for a self-guided approach for your pilates routine.
Move With Nicole: With 2.55 million subscribers and 203 videos, Move with Nicole has a full playlist for Beginner Friendly Pilates. Nicole provides weekly workout plans that offer a structured and complete exercise schedule for the week.
Lottie Murphy: The page is run by experienced pilates instructor Lottie who has been providing lessons for a decade now. Check out her Pilates For Beginners videos on YouTube.
Blogilates: Cassey Ho, a certified Pilates and Fitness Instructor has designed a straightforward 28-day program called Workout for Beginners that will guide you as you begin your pilates journey.
And if you’re looking for pilates classes in your local area, use Google and type in “pilates near me” and it should show some results for nearby classes. Contact those providers and ask about how they accommodate beginners to get a sense for which in-person class would be best for you.
