The methodology behind pilates has been around for years. Initially, the workout regimen was used by dancers to strengthen their bodies without the added risk of putting up muscles or injuries. Nowadays, everyone can include pilates into their daily schedule, be it complete beginners or seasoned professionals. As a workout methodology, Pilates help builds core strength, improve flexibility, balance, and coordination by putting emphasis on breathing, alignment, and flow of movement. If you are still unsure of taking up Pilates classes, here are five reasons to take up the workout to help you make up your mind. Take a look.
Pilates workouts incorporate stretching flowing movements that help engage multiple muscles all at once and keep them flexible and supple to handle injury-causing stressors effectively. With improved flexibility, you can indulge in your favorite activities such as golfing, bowling, playing tennis or football without any inhibitions. Doing Pilates helps you correct any length imbalances while performing bending and twisting movements; therefore, improving the overall coordination of the muscles and joints of the body.
Poor posture does create multiple structural changes throughout the body that end-up causing pain and imbalance in the shoulders, neck and head region. Eventually, the individual may develop health conditions such as - might cause a migraine, lower back, hip, knee and foot pain. Pilates trains your body to engage all of the core muscles, support and stabilize the spine. Pilates movements cause lesser strain on the lower back and joint, therefore, making them perfect for the arthritic, overweight and aging population. Most exercises in the system are performed while lying down or sitting that takes all stress off the joints and the spine while stabilizing the major joints of the body.
Pilates is among the few conditioning exercise sequences that help you feel rejuvenated after the workout, regardless of your age or health condition. Studies have shown that workouts comprising stretching and articulating movements of the spine and back muscles help push the cerebrospinal fluid up and down the spine. This increases the blood flow to the brain while engaging all major core muscles at once. In addition, the motion sequences of the workout are controlled by your breathing; therefore, your body takes-in more fresh oxygen.
Your core, not only comprises the rectus abdominis or the “6-pack muscles” in the front part of the torso but also includes your entire midsection, lower back, abdominals, obliques, diaphragm, and pelvic floor. Pilates workouts are the best type of core exercises that activate all these muscles all at once (plank exercise) and also isolate the abdominals (tummy crunch exercise). Exercise form is of utmost value in Pilates; therefore, you must learn to keep your back aligned properly and engage the core.
Regular Pilates workouts help develop lean, strong muscles and also assist in losing extra body weight. How? Well, the low-impact exercises work on the same formula as other forms of weight loss workouts; burn more calories than you consume to create a significant calorie deficit. By working for all your major muscle groups at once and focusing on each movement helps you to release tension, increase your lung capacity, and burn a big amount of calories in a shorter time frame.
Our body is the strongest in a neutral alignment with a taut core. However, most people fail to maintain a neutral curve in their lower back while sitting or moving. Pilates teaches you how to hold a neutral back position while playing sports or lifting weights in the gym. Popular strength movement exercises such as deadlifts and weighted-squats require you to maintain a neutral-spine alignment, without which you can easily injure yourself.