| Pilates is the exercise of choice for | | | | use of the exercise program. |
| dancers, gymnasts, and a host of famous | | | | |
| Hollywood celebrities, and now it finds | | | | 5. Prevents You from Future Injuries |
| itself firmly entrenched in the mainstream. | | | | |
| So why is pilates so hot? | | | | Pilates strengthens your body and helps |
| | | | prevent future injuries. Pilates helps to |
| Pilates incredible popularity can be traced | | | | condition the whole body, not just certain |
| to the fact that it provides its faithful | | | | muscles. This helps balance the muscle and |
| practitioners with benefits that you simply | | | | strength of the body. Since no set of muscles |
| can't get through traditional aerobics | | | | is ever over or under trained, there is less |
| strength training format. | | | | risk for injury. The body becomes more fluid |
| | | | and supple, protecting against injury. |
| 1. Makes You into Muscle Man | | | | |
| | | | 6. Helps You Become Efficient With Your Body |
| If want a long, lean look without bulky | | | | |
| muscles, but with all the strength. Would you | | | | Last, but not the least one of the benefits |
| like to build strength and endurance without | | | | of Pilates is that it teaches you how to |
| getting the muscle man look? If so, pilates | | | | become efficient with your body. Very few |
| may be just what you have been searching for. | | | | exercises can help your body become more |
| | | | efficient in its movement. |
| There's a reason that pilates is the exercise | | | | |
| of choice for gymnasts and professional | | | | Why is efficiency so important? Being |
| dancers. Most conventional workouts tend to | | | | efficient means that your body moves in a |
| create bulky muscle. Why is this? In most | | | | way, that is smoother, safer, and less prone |
| workouts, the emphasis is placed on | | | | to injury. By practicing pilates on a regular |
| repetition and building strong muscles. | | | | basis, you can train your body more to move |
| | | | in a much safer and more efficient manner. |
| This causes already-strong (think: big) | | | | |
| muscles to get even strong, and thus bigger. | | | | Benefits of Pilates for Older Adults |
| Pilates does not rely on frequent repetition, | | | | |
| and thus no overgrown muscles. Pilates | | | | The benefits of pilates have been |
| focuses on the whole body, not just on | | | | particularly noted in older adults. Older |
| sections of muscles. | | | | adults are more likely to suffer from |
| | | | symptoms of arthritis, including stiff and |
| 2. Increases the Strength of Stabilizer | | | | painful joints. Pilates practice has also |
| Muscles | | | | been lauded for its ability to help prevent |
| | | | injury. |
| There are many benefits that one can achieve | | | | |
| through a proper use of the pilates program. | | | | Even adults undergoing serious rehabilitation |
| One of the most significant points of the | | | | therapy can use Pilates to increase their |
| pilates program is it's ability to increase | | | | range of motion and overall muscle strength. |
| the strength of stabilizer muscles that may | | | | But is Pilates safe for all adults? Who |
| not commonly be worked out in a standard | | | | should avoid participating in a Pilates |
| exercise program. | | | | program, and who is more likely to benefit |
| | | | from the program? |
| Also, since pilates stresses the use of | | | | |
| graceful and fluid movements, it can be a | | | | Consult your medical professional if you have |
| great way to get a better sense of the | | | | any doubts about your pilates program. If you |
| kinesthetics of your body. The sense of body | | | | are suffering from severe degeneration or |
| that you can achieve through pilates is quite | | | | physical pain, you should take extra care |
| significant, and many find that they are | | | | before beginning a pilates program. |
| better able to balance themselves regardless | | | | |
| of the position that they are in. | | | | You should never feel pain while practicing |
| | | | pilates. If you do, you know that there is |
| 3. A Mind-Body Workout That Strengthens Your | | | | something wrong. Don't be afraid to pull back |
| Whole Body | | | | if you feel overwhelmed. |
| | | | |
| Another one of the benefits of Pilates is | | | | Pilates was designed to progress naturally |
| that it engages the mind and enhances body | | | | from one movement to another. If you feel |
| awareness. Like yoga, tai chi, and Asian | | | | stopped at one movement, don't give up. Start |
| martial arts, Pilates is not just a workout | | | | at the beginning and work your way back to |
| for your body. Joseph H. Pilates studied | | | | the areas you found most challenging. |
| yoga, martial arts, and other ancient | | | | |
| mind-body activities and included a strong | | | | Other Benefits of Pilates |
| philosophical foundation into the practice of | | | | |
| Pilates. | | | | Tone and build long, lean muscles without |
| | | | bulk. |
| Pilates not only helps tone your body, but | | | | |
| your mind and spirit as well. The smooth, | | | | Reduce stress, relieve tension, and boost |
| precise and flowing movements of Pilates are | | | | energy through deep stretching. |
| designed to make you more mindful of your | | | | |
| body. | | | | Restore postural alignment. |
| | | | |
| Breath movement is also emphasized to put you | | | | Create a stronger, more flexible spine. |
| in touch with how breath moves through your | | | | |
| body. Pilates has been demonstrated to reduce | | | | Increase joint range of motion. |
| stress, anxiety, and helps lift depression. | | | | |
| The mind-body connection is fundamental to | | | | Improve circulation. |
| the study and practice of pilates. | | | | |
| | | | Heighten neuromuscular coordination. |
| 4. Pilates Strengthens Your Core like No | | | | |
| Other Exercise | | | | Offer relief from back pain and joint stress. |
| | | | |
| Another one of the benefits of Pilates is | | | | Correct over-training of muscle groups which |
| that the increased amount of strength that | | | | can lead to stress and injury. |
| one can achieve in the 'core' of the body. | | | | |
| The term core refers to the muscles in and | | | | Enhance mobility, agility and stamina. |
| around the area of the abdominal muscles and | | | | |
| the back. | | | | Compliment sports training and develop |
| | | | functional fitness for daily life activity. |
| Proper breathing control is also stressed in | | | | |
| pilates, adding to the numerous list of | | | | Improve the way your body looks and feels. |
| benefits that one can attain through regular | | | | |