10 Reasons To Do Pilates
Have you tried Pilates yet??
Anyone yet to give Pilates a try might be missing out on a wide variety of really positive benefits that can’t be ignored.
The mental and physical benefits of Pilates are not widely known, so if you want to find out more about these, you’re in the right place.
Pilates is a mind body form of exercise and body conditioning that focuses on using your core or center to move your limbs. Dancers originally took to this method in New York City 90 years ago and it's been a mainstay for Hollywood and models workout regime for quite some time.
We’re going to take a closer look at the many ways in which you might benefit and start to feel a difference as a result of doing Pilates regularly.
Read on to find out more.
Photo by @swanntanamobay
Increased Core Strength
This is probably the most famous benefit! Your core is all the muscles in your torso and includes abs, obliques, low back and hips. every single move you do in Pilates will have you engage your abs. It will especially focus on the deepest layer of your abs- known as the transverse abdominus- which will in turn help you develop that flat tummy you’ve always wanted.
Breathing
An important aspect of Pilates is the importance of breathing and the role it plays in the exercises you perform. As you may know- your muscles need oxygen to move but it also has a huge connection to your mind. Essential for movement, we are consciously trying to align our breath with movements and direct our breathing into the lungs fully. It not only helps you to relax but also gives you space to focus on your body and your own mental clarity. You’ll get much better at utilizing breathing techniques when you do more and more Pilates.
Strength & Toning
One of the major benefits that comes with working out in general and Pilates in particular is your ability to build body strength. It’s true; you don’t have to be lifting heavy weights to build strength. Pilates is actually a great way to get stronger and enhance muscle definition, often using your own bodyweight. The moves focus on your full body and they focus on lengthening your muscles as you strengthen. So if you want to get stronger without necessarily wanting to add bulk or be bodybuilder, Pilates makes a great choice.
Improved Flexibility
Pilates works with dynamic flexibility as opposed to yoga which works on static flexibility. In Pilates we are actively moving into and out of the stretches as opposed to Yoga where we gold the stretches for long periods of time. This not only increased your functional flexibility - it is also safer then many of the pretzel like poses in Yoga. In recent years more and more studies have shown active stretching to be more effective than static- and Pilates practitioners have known this for decades.
Improved Balance
Pilates works your core and stabilizer muscles which are responsible for balance. If you incorporate the standing exercises into your routine and use props like balls and bands- you will increase the workload in your glute legs and calf muscles which are also responsible for keeping you upright. this is important as we age to prevent falls
Improved Heart Health and Circulation
There’s plenty of full body motion involved in Pilates, and by moving parts of your body in ways that you maybe never have before, you’ll dramatically improve your heart health and circulation. This is especially true if you combine traditional Pilates with cardio principles. Poor blood circulation is not at all a fun thing to have. It can cause numbness, fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, swelling, breathing problems, and skin issues. Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to every part of the body. Pilates will increase your circulation
Decreased Stress Levels
Many people find that one of the major mental health benefits that comes with doing Pilates is lowered stress levels. Pilates requires focus and concentration -awareness on the task or movement at hand, and feeling where the challenge is and listening to the teacher or video. We bring your minds into your bodies in order to mind our bodies. By doing this we learn to tune out the noise in our mind and tune into more positive things. Pilates is a moving meditation. Try it- you might be very surprised by the outcomes that you experience.
Less Aches & Pains
When you gain the benefits that come with greater balance, flexibility and strength, you’ll feel more comfortable and won’t experience so many aches and pains. It’s about strengthening all of those core and making it more resilient over time. In Pilates we practice centering- we strive to work evenly on both sides of our bodies and we align our bodies from our center. We begin our moves from the transverse abdominals or deep ab muscles and we align our joints accordingly. This balances our body and prevents it from going askew. With the help of the right bamboo clothing designed for mind body exercise, you can make sure you’re always ultra comfortable during your exercises too.
Better Athletic Performance
Athletes use Pilates as a supplementary exercise to their main sport. This is because we practice complete control of our movements- something that is needed when you are aiming for a target, swinging a pole, dashing for a finish line, or performing endless flips. Additionally the precise movements we practice on the mat can be carried on to make your sporting positions and plays more accurate. The benefits above, such as increased flexibility, balance and strength can, in turn, compliment your running, gymnastics, golf or any other sports.
Reduce the Likelihood of Injury
Finally, the extra flexibility core strength, joint stability and muscle protection that’s developed when you do Pilates consistently helps to make injuries less likely. Being more flexible and having a more balanced physique will make you better able to perform activities and sports without sustaining injuries as easily as you otherwise might. It will also help you become aware of your posture when driving or working at a desk- which can contribute to injuries over time. This is another reason why Pilates is popular in rehab settings as it is an integrative form of fitness that encompasses your whole body in a functional manner. Try it and see!