In the brisk lifestyle these days, our fitness routine often gets the least priority. Besides, due to remerging waves of COVID, the gym routine of most of the people got distributed. If you want to stay fit you don’t need to go anywhere, you can tone your body at home itself by including Pilates exercises in your routine. Unlike heavy gym workouts, Pilates focal objective is toning the muscles with rudimentary tools like springs and bands or our own body weight. For this, you do not even need to use the big equipment of the gym. In this article, we will tell you about Pilates exercise.
What is Pilates?
In 1923, a German trainer, Joseph Pilates, introduced a new form of exercise to the world. During World War I, Pilates used bed springs for the therapy of convalescing soldiers. Those soldiers showed a quick improvement in their condition. From there, Pilates was adopted by athletes and dancers who recover from injuries.
Also read: If you’re not resolute, try these tips to maintain the continuity of your workout
After half a century, Pilates as an exercise began to gain popularity in many parts of the world, including India. Pilates consists of about 50 repetitive exercises that help with physical and mental conditioning.
Core principles:
Pilates is based on the following five principles to train the body:
- Controlled breathing.
- Work out of muscles of the abdomen.
- Neck alignment.
- Shoulder and chest posture.
- Hip movement.
Types of Pilates:
Broadly there are 2 types of Pilates:
- Mat-Based Pilates: This type of Pilates is done sitting or lying on a mat. In this, gravity and body weight are used as resistance.
- Reformer-Based Pilates: This type is performed on a special Pilates machinery called a reformer. Pilates exercises are done by sitting, standing, kneeling or bending on this platform.
What are the benefits of Pilates?
Pilates benefits are both therapeutic and preventive. It is beneficial for overall health. Following are the benefits of Pilates that you should know about:
- Improves overall fitness.
- Improves flexibility.
- Increases strength of muscles.
- Corrects posture.
- Body toning.
- Relieves back pain.
- Boosts lungs capacity.
- Promotes heart health.
- Aid in faster recovery from injury.
What you should keep in mind before choosing Plates?
Pilates is less effective as a weight-loss tool because it is a “low-impact” exercise. If losing weight is your only goal, you should do intensive exercises along with Pilates.
Read more: Is Protein Supplement actually Required? Or you can get a Sturdy Body without it?
While a Pilates mat may be readily available, a reformer for Pilates can be expensive. Reformer-based Pilates classes or rehabilitation programs can also be more expensive.
Moreover, if you start Pilates without any prior experience or professional assistance, you might observe problems like lower back pain, other muscle pain and tiredness. However, if you give yourself time and do Pilates under the supervision of a good trainer these problems will go away soon.
Pilates is considered safe for people of all ages and fitness levels. However, be sure to consult your doctor before starting Pilates if you are pregnant or have undergone a medical surgery recently.
1 comment
Good ?