If you’re looking for a total body workout that helps you get stronger and toned, look no further than Pilates. It’s been around since the 1920s, and it’s not going away anytime soon. So if you’ve been wanting to get back on your Pilates mat lately, we’ve got five great reasons to grab your leggings, get out your mat, and give Pilates a try . These five benefits of Pilates gave us the motivation to get back on our mats.
More than a fitness craze, Pilates has a history of its own that dates back to the 1920s. German-born Joseph Pilates developed a conditioning method to rehabilitate injured patients during World War I. Then, in the blink of an eye, his rehabilitation work was embraced by the dancing community as a way to prevent injury through stretching and careful attention to form.
Today, nearly 100 years later, Pilates is still a common practice in the fitness world. So what are the real benefits of Pilates? Here are our five favorite reasons why you should get back on the mat.
Perhaps the simplest benefit of Pilates is that unless you prefer a reformer, a mat is all you need to work your whole body. Working Pilates movements on the mat brings greater focus to form, flexibility and core strength using the simplicity of our own body weight.
Additionally, by removing any additional equipment, Pilates allows us to focus on ourselves more intuitively. By using our own weight as resistance, it’s easy to see where we can push a little harder or when we need to go a little slower. Remember that this form of exercise is not intended to increase muscle mass, but rather to develop overall muscle strength.
The benefits of Pilates soar when it comes to hyperfocused movements. Through pulsating movements, it sculpts muscles in ways that target parts of the body we may have forgotten existed, whether it’s small or large muscles. Unlike other workouts, where you just move your arms, legs, buttocks, abs, etc. This flow requires deep concentration in order to maintain the different positions.
The good news is that due to the smaller, targeted movements, there is plenty of room for modification. This makes Pilates a suitable exercise for people with different abilities and fitness levels.
We are not talking about sit-ups. Pilates uses the core as the base, serving as the anchor for each position. By being mindful of every movement, Pilates combines deep breathing and core strength to better protect our body from potential injury and ensure every movement is performed correctly. This is a precision exercise.
#4 It connects body and mind
Like yoga, Pilates emphasizes the mind-body connection (an added benefit of Pilates). The Pilates method is based on muscle relaxation and small movements. Without using external equipment, Pilates requires us to do the following;
Studies suggest that one of the biggest benefits of Pilates is how it improves flexibility. But flexibility is also a way to access other benefits. When we’re more flexible, we’re less prone to injury, and it can help improve our range of motion.
Incorporate a bit of Pilates into your current fitness routine
Ready to add a little more Pilates into your life? Try adding a few Pilates sessions to your current fitness routine, along with a good mix of aerobics, strength training and active recovery days, to create that healthy balance that also adds variety to your fitness routine. ‘coaching.
To start or continue your practice, discover the benefits of Pilates with Cassey Ho , award-winning trainer. Whether you’re pressed for time or looking for a full Pilates workout, there’s a class for everyone. So grab your mat, choose your class, and hit play now.
