Everything you wanted to know about Pilates

Pilates is a great exercise and strength training system developed by Joseph Pilates. In more recent years, Pilates has become one of the most popular exercise systems in the world. Pilates studios have opened in cities all major cities all over over America and the rest of the world. Pilates training consists of over 500 individual exercises, all designed to help you develop core strength, flexibility, and balance.

Pilates also uses a system of philosophy known as mind/body fitness. Pilates is very similar to Yoga or Tai Chi, in that it promotes a system of overall wellness based on developing health from the inside out. Pilates’ purpose is to teach you how to develop your mental ability in order to effectively control movement and achieve balance in body and mind.

The Pilates system educates you that effective exercise requires quality and not quantity. Each of the exercises is designed to focus on a core set of muscles. Most of the movements are performed slowly and focused. With Pilates, you are taught to view your body as integrated systems comprising of interrelated parts. While undertaking the practice of Pilates, focus is placed on coordinating muscles and improving joint flexibility. Pilates teaches you to work your body and not against it.

Pilates exercises can actually benefit anyone and can be adapted to accommodate people, regardless of their current physical state or age. Beginners start with an introductory mat work course. This course can undertaken in private, semi-private, or in group classes. As students progress, exercises become more focused and advanced. There are also a number of equipment classes available for advanced students that teach how to properly use of equipment such as the Reformer or the Cadillac.

Pilates is the ultimate workout

There is a common misconception that Pilates is only good for strengthening and stretching the core muscles of the body. Many people actually use Pilates to tone their abs and improve their posture.  Pilates in reality can do much more than that, when combined with an aerobic exercise (such as jogging or using an exercise bike) Pilates can help you achieve a full body conditioning workout!

Pilates Exercises for Strength-Training

Most Pilates exercises are great to tone the muscle, helping work large muscle groups beyond just the abs and the lower back. For example, the Plank position effectively works the chest and triceps muscle groups. Leg kicks work the glute and hamstring muscles very well. Free squats are one of the best lower body exercises, working the quadriceps, the hamstrings, and the glutes. These exercises shouldn’t be seen as “weak” exercises. Many of the world's top martial artists practice them on a daily basis to toughen their bodies and reduce the chance of getting hurt.

Equipment

Pilates devices such as the Reformer and Wunda chair are excellent.  They stretch and strengthen muscles, providing great full body conditioning, while teaching you how to use the different parts of your body efficiently. Efficient body movement is a key to great overall fitness, injury prevention, and high-level sports performance. Portable Pilates equipment like resistance bands and the Pilates circle are also effective training aids. They are inexpensive, transportable and can be incorporated into many of your current muscle conditioning routines for increased benefits.

Mind and Muscle Benefits

Muscle control and mental focus attained from regular Pilates training can help you in all aspects of fitness. For this reason, many professional athletes do take Pilates classes. There are very few exercise system out there that help you coordinate your mind and body as well as Pilates. The benefits of this coordination helps you increase your strength, improve your posture, alleviate pain, improved mental focus, and improved physical coordination.

Conclusion

As we have seen, Pilates exercise is a highly effective method of total-body conditioning. It is not designed to build huge muscles, but it will help better define the muscles you currently have, while providing so many more benefits that standard weight training cannot provide you. Add some good cardio training and you have a complete fitness solution that is great for your health!

If you are looking for an exercise program that will help you build core strength, flexibility, and balance, then look no further than Pilates. People of all ages and physical conditions can benefit from these exercises.

 

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