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What is Pilates?

Devised by Joseph Pilates, Pilates focuses on building your back, abdominal and pelvic muscles, collectively known as the body's core. A Pilates class will take you through a range of low rep and low impact exercises that will improve your core strength and posture.  It will allow you to develop and tone your muscles without adding bulk, increasing your flexibility and agility at the same time.

Although it focuses mainly on your core muscles, Pilates provides a complete body workout whilst giving you a better understanding of how your mind works in partnership with your body.

Benefits

Okay, we know that Pilates focuses on your core muscle strength and flexibility, but what else can it do?

Regular practice of Pilates has the following benefits:

  • Improves balance, coordination, dynamic stability, and body awareness
  • Improves bone density and joint health
  • Increases lung capacity and circulation
  • Releases stress
  • Prevents Injury
  • Improves relaxation and concentration

Pilates in Practice

There a several ways to learn and practice Pilates and the type you choose will determine where and when you can do it.

Mat Pilates is the most popular type of Pilates exercise and, as the name suggests, is done using a mat and other small pieces of equipment such as bands, balls, blocks and small weights.

Mat classes last between 60 and 90 minutes and are usually lead by a qualified Pilates instructor. These classes are recommended as the best place to start for beginners as mat Pilates allows you to get a grasp of the Pilates basics without the added complexity of large equipment, as used in Reformer Pilates.

The advantages of mat Pilates are that it is easy to do on your own, in group classes at the gym or at home in front of Fitness TV!

It is extremely unlikely that you will become bored of Pilates as there is no shortage of exercises that can be incorporated into a workout.

Joseph Pilates developed around 500 exercises and the methods and exercises continue to evolve.  With the help of new equipment and a vast array of exercises, you will be counting down the days to your next Pilates workout.

For more information about Pilates, please visit www.pilatesfoundation.com.