Health and Pilates

Gaining health and fitness with Pilates is an attainable goal and an important piece of the health and fitness puzzle. While the process of achieving a fit and healthy body will ask you to work hard and be patient, you should know that it is not as hard as you think. Through careful planning, you can reap the benefits Pilates has to offer.

Once you decide to work towards health and fitness with Pilates, an important thing to recognize is the need to take it slowly. Do not rush into the process of beginning a new health and fitness routine because your body needs time to adjust. Building strength, both mental and physical, takes time. Rushing into a new regime without gathering the proper information might leave you disappointed and confused.

The very first thing to know when beginning a Pilates fitness routine is that there are different types of Pilates. There are mat exercises and those that need Pilates exercise equipment. Among the two, the mat workout is very common to start with because it requires no equipment except a mat or soft surface and it also builds our strength gradually. Mat exercises include the need to lay down on your side, back, and stomach or do kneeling and sitting positions when executing the exercises. The main principle here is the use of your own weight for resistance. The flip side is to add small Pilates equipment such as band, ball, and ring in order to perk up weight resistance and to make the whole routine more challenging.

The Reformer is the most essential of the larger Pilates equipment. There you will perform many of the same exercises as you do on the mat with the enhanced addition of weighted resistance. Since this equipment can be expensive, you can explore the option of private sessions with a certified professional or join a gym that offers reformer classes.

By the time you start with Pilates routines, health and fitness with Pilates is surely something you can master after some time. Just continue with the process because you will reap the benefits of health and fitness with Pilates. Indeed, after all the hard work, you will see and feel good results. So keep on persevering until you reach your goals. Remember: patience and tenacity are the key elements of any new workout routine

Pilates may seem like a new fad in exercise routines, but it has been around for a long time. Many people are still unaware of the benefits of Pilates. This type of exercise promotes inner health and total body fitness.

While many people workout just to try and improve their physical appearance, they miss the more important component of improving the condition of their body. Pilates makes you look good on the outside because you are healthy on the inside.

Common users of this type of exercise include dancers, runners, gymnasts, and those in the sports medicine industry. Trainers and physical therapists often use it to help their patients recover from injury and strengthen weak areas as part of injury prevention.

Here are the Top 7 benefits for overall health and fitness:

1. Pilates Improves Overall Body Awareness

One thing that teachers will say about the difference between Pilates and the standard workout regimen of weight lifting and cardio/aerobic exercise is that it promotes overall awareness of the body. And, this translates from focused exercises to better posture and overall strength in every day life. The traditional style of working out generally focuses on the body’s extremities, i.e. the arms and legs. Pilates on the other hand, increases balanced control and strength for the whole body.

2. Pilates Strengthens The Body’s Core

Your body core is the main part of your body in and around your back and abdomen. These muscles are what give you your posture and overall appearance. This practice is beneficial because it provides flexibility in your core as well as toning. Specific breathing and stretching exercises work to target and strengthen your core.

3. Pilates Increases One’s Body Control

Even though you are able to move different body parts independently, your body is one cohesive unit that is meant to function and move with fluidity. Pilates teaches proper body positioning and movement. When bad habits and posture are corrected you will have better overall control of your body. Think of stars like Madonna and Cameron Diaz, they have used it to develop strength and control in their bodies. And, on the red carpet they are picture perfect.

4. Pilates Prevents Injuries

Because it is a total body balance exercise program, all of your muscles are equally strengthened and developed. Injuries occur most when some part of your body is out of balance or weak. So, by increasing your overall body control and strength you will prevent injuries.

5. Pilates Improves Posture

Did you know that correct posture can actually make you look up to tem pounds lighter without losing an inch? This exercise improves your posture because of the increased body awareness and core strength. A stronger core makes it much easier to stand up straight.

6. Pilates Improves Range Of Motion And Flexibility

One benefit of this exercise is that makes it popular among dancers, runners, and especially women in general is the increased range of motion and flexibility that you develop through these exercises. It is a total body synergy workout that stretches the muscles to make them long and lean, which is ideal for those who don’t want to bulk up.

7. Pilates Improves Blood Circulation

Because it focuses on breathing technique and flexibility, the two combined provide better circulation for the body. Blood flows to muscles easier when they are stretched out. And oxygen aids in the all-important production of new blood cell.

Anyone can benefit from the practice of this exercise. You can get involved with this kind of exercise at home through videos and friends who do it, or consider joining a Pilates class at your local fitness center.