What Is Pilates?
Pilates is a systemized form of exercise which focuses on core strengthening; abdominals and back. A full body workout which tends to strengthen muscle, attain flexibility and form balance. There are 500 basic Pilates exercises which you can do on the Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Barrels, Wunda Chair, High Chair and MORE!Pilates is designed to work your entire body out in each session and focuses on balancing our imbalances. I love to say that Pilates makes everything you are already doing more effectiveDon't have gym access? Try this 30-minutes Pilates workout at home!Lesley Logan.
A Quick Look At The Benefits Of Pilates
- Improved Posture: As it enhances spinal alignment, it improves your posture and helps you feel more confident.
- More Energy: As it ramps up your energy levels, it allows you to do more by doing less.
- Compound Effect + Synergy: It works all your muscles at once, creating a synergetic effect.
- Increased Flexibility: With more stretchability, you'll experience lesser joint or muscular pain.
- Sports Conditioning: It improves your athletic abilities.
- Revitalizes The Mind: It boosts your overall mind-body connection, improving your daily function.
- Sharpens Focus: You'll be able to concentrate more on your daily tasks.
7 Incredible Things Will Start to Happen Once You Start Doing Pilates
Pilates has healed many athletes with various injuries ranging from troubled knee to straining back. It works like magic, but one needs to work hard with proper techniques.
For the right technique, an experienced Pilate’s instructor is essential when getting started. Lesley Logan talks about what incredible things happen once your body starts doing Pilates.
1. Improved Posture
Pilates conditions your core and strengthens your back. After a few sessions, you will feel a stronger core and an improved posture. Once your posture improves, you will feel and appear more confident.You will automatically feel taller! Your core is more than your abs. In a Pilates, you will strengthen your entire center which will help you stand taller and help your posture.Improve your overall muscle coordination with these 10 stability ball exercises!Logan
2. More Energy
After any great workout, you feel little tired and want to rest. Pilates is designed to energize you with a combination of some breathing and strength training exercises. After a few sessions, you will feel an overall increased energy.
It is because your most important part of the body is conditioned. A stronger core will always keep you more energized and take some pressure off your back.
No matter how you entered your session you will leave feeling invigorated! Because it’s all about quality over quantity you move the entire body around in a one hour session. Never over doing any one exercise or part of the body. Leaving you feeling strong and ready to take on what’s outside the Pilates studio.Make sure you're consuming a protein-rich diet such as the Ideal Protein Diet!Logan
3. Compound Effect + Synergy
After a few sessions of Pilates, you can see exponential growth in your body’s performance. The engagement of all body muscles working together will enhance the compound growth. More like team work.
When parts of your body work together with a single goal in mind, it can create a synergy effect. 2 + 2 = 5.
You’ll connect to more parts of your body than you ever knew! Pilates focuses on using all the muscles including the smaller ones. And, because it’s not about lifting heavy weights but instead more body weight resistance and spring tension your “go to” muscles get a break. Allowing the other muscles in your body to take on the challenge. And, you will feel those effects.Work all your muscles with this full body workout!Logan
4. Increased Flexibility
Don’t we all like to have a little more flexible body? Pilates requires motion is several dimensions. For instance, from bending your spine by flexing and extending to rotating your body inwards and outwards.
Motions like these prevent you from injuries and your daily tasks become more comfortable to execute and helps your sedentary lifestyle more bend.
The gymnast in you will be freed! Ok, maybe some of the gymnast…overtime as you get the foundations of the movement you’ll be rolling your legs over your head, twisting and turning. All things your body was meant to do but our daily life no longer requires.Struggling with a bad posture? Check out these anterior pelvic exercises!Logan
5. Sports Conditioning
After a few sessions, you can witness a substantial improvement in your athletic performance. The same way Pilates helps you on your daily tasks, a flexible body will give you more confidence in any sports or physical activity.Everything you’re already doing will improve! You like to lift weights, run, spin, rock climb, golf, yoga etc? All of these will improve because of you adding Pilates into your life. Your muscles will learn how to work together and so Pilates will fine tune your movements and when you go to do the other things you love your muscles will use what they learned in Pilates. You won’t have to even think about posture or using your core. It’ll do it for you!Need something more low impact? Try this easy 5 dance steps workout routine instead!Logan
6. Revitalizes The Mind
One of the essential aspects of Pilates is the synced body and mind. A synced mind and body can produce some fantastic results for any task at hand. Pilates helps you connect the mind and body.
The conscious breathing and motion will make you focus on your movements and help you understand your body better. After a few sessions, you will feel more composed and in control of everything.
Your mind and your body will start to work together!Improve your mental health with these 4 exercises!Logan
7. Sharpens Focus
The key to a job well done is always your focus. A sharp focus helps you do the work with more productivity and better results. Same goes for Pilates, a conscious effort to focus is required. It helps you practice focus.
Practicing focus is powerful when you engage your breathing, body tension and a conscious mind. Pilates teaches you to combine multiple exercises and attain laser focus.
Whatever you’re dealing with outside of Pilates will disappear! You cannot think about your to do list, your job or that nasty email you just got and do Pilates. To do Pilates correctly you can only be thinking about what’s moving where and moving!Learn more about how fitness improves your productivity and ability to concentrate!Logan
Why Is Pilates So Popular?
The fitness industry is growing every year: new fitness trends, more business opportunity, media attention, the entrepreneurial mindset of the millennials and general health concerns with rising health care costs.
Pilates has become one of the most known workouts in recent years. Nearly every gym has some instructor or facility for Pilates. Many people like Pilates because it efficiently works for all fitness levels. It is best for injuries, rehabilitation, dancing, gymnastics and any workout which requires ultimate core conditioning. You can modify your exercises for your fitness levels and goals.
It’s been popular for a long time. It has caught more popularity recently due to press from major athletes. Pilates is becoming more popular among men. But, celebrities have been touting its benefits for decades. And, due to its many benefits people of all ages are turning to Pilates to help them do more of what they love.Looking for that one exercise that builds your flexibility and strength? Try the kettlebell Turkish get-ups!Logan
Pilates Vs Yoga
Yoga is the most comparable workout to Pilates. It will be safe to say that the major difference between Pilates and Yoga is spirituality. Where Pilates is more about breathing and physical exercise, the latter is more about the mental well-being.
Pilates requires more exertion, will all due respect to the fitness goals. Pilates is mostly done on equipment such as Reformer, Cadillac, Barrels, Wunda Chair, & High Chair. Whereas Yoga is only done on a mat.
Learn more about what works for you - Pilates vs Yoga!
Why Is Pilates Better Than Others?
Pilates is for everyone. From seniors to people recovering from injury. From athletes to teenagers (J. Pilates is the perfect example) Other workouts and exercises have limitations, enough not to get you the desired results. Pilates has more than 500 exercises and there is a plan for anyone and everyone.I love all movement! But, not all movement is created equal nor is it good for persons of all ages! Pilates is great no matter your age because the basis of Pilates is functional movement. It requires you to use your whole body in every exercise. And, you can do the mat work anywhere you are as long as you So, if you don’t have time to go to a studio or a gym you can do the mat work!Logan
For a more rigorous training routine, try the 10-minute HIIT workout! Moreover, it's important to be dressed in proper tights while doing Pilates. Choose from the best options for men's gym tights & workout leggings for women.
So make sure you're in the right active wear that doesn't hinder your range of motion, allowing you to do every move in a sleek and clean manner.
About
LESLEY LOGAN is a PMA Certified Pilates Teacher and has been studying and teaching Joseph Pilates Classical Method since 2005 and 2008 respectively. She also has eight years of retail management experience, and six years managing studios regionally for Equinox fitness clubs. Read More.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pilates help in fat burning?
Yes, Pilates helps in fat burning as it improves your body composition. Although it's not as rigorous as cardio, Pilates helps you develop muscle toning and definition, leading to better metabolism and at-rest fat burn. Combined with a calorie deficit in your protein-rich diet, Pilates can help you lose weight as well.
Does Pilates strengthen core and improve coordination?
Pilates also strengthens your core and improves your overall coordination as it engages your entire body at once. As it combines resistance training with dynamic moves, it's one of the best fat-burning workout programs out there. As it promotes lean muscle mass development, it helps you achieve a lean and athletic physique.
Does Pilates minimize lower back pain?
Yes, Pilates totally helps in minimizing lower back pain! This is because it improves your core strength and stability, which helps you develop a proper skeletal alignment. This minimizes the stress on lower back when you're engaging in any type of physical activity. With consistent Pilates exercises, your lumbo-pelvic stability will improve, which is crucial for reducing lower back pain.
Does Pilates help build lean muscle?
Pilates is a great way to build lean muscle. It specifically targets your core such as your abs, glutes, lower back and pelvic muscles. It combines resistance training with dynamic moves, encouraging you to control your contractions and eccentrics, helping you boost your muscle strength and endurance. This is particularly great for people who don't want to workout with weights or get bulky, rather, they want to enhance their athletic prowess and look athletic.
What are some primary benefits of Pilates?
Some of the primary benefits of Pilates include:
- Improved flexibility as it promotes a full range of motion in every movement
- Greater muscle strength as it engages your abs, hips, hamstrings, lower back and glutes
- Better postural alignment as it develops stability in your spine and pelvis
- Strengthening your core muscles, which supports your body’s overall movement
- Improved physical balance with strength and flexibility training, which in turn, minimizes the risk of injuries
- A stronger mind-body connection, improved focus and concentration, and mindfulness
- Lesser risks of falling or tripping as it improves muscle balance and coordination
