*image taken from Google
What is Pilates? According to WebMD, Pilates is “the system of strengthening and stretching exercises designed to develop the body’s core, mobilize the spine and build flexibility.” If anyone has ever done yoga, Pilates is very similar but doesn’t just focus on breathing and the yoga pose. There are many health benefits to taking this class. The first is that it really focuses on moving with your core. In turn, if you do enough Pilates you will have a flat, toned stomach. Another benefit is that Pilates works the entire body at once. Although you really focus on your core, throughout the course of the class you will engage every muscle in some type of exercise.Another cool thing about Pilates is that it makes you more aware of how your body moves. You start to pay more attention to your posture…sitting in class slouched over all day and then going to the gym is a recipe for disaster. WebMD made a really interesting analogy: “Think of a tree, Pilates experts say. Does it have all its strength in its limbs? No. The tree is only as strong as its trunk and roots. Without a strong trunk, the tree would topple over.” When you think about it, this is very true. If we do not have a strong core then working out is harder and less effective. If you have time definitely try to work Pilates into your weekly schedule, you won’t regret it!
Works Cited
Sarnataro, Barbara Russi SarnataroWebMD Weight Loss. “Pilates Exercises and Workout Benefits.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/the-benefits-of-pilates>.
My mom is a Pilates instructor! She teaches a class in Princeton, NJ about 15 minutes from my house. She’s always trying to get me interested in Pilates workouts and teaches me of its benefits. Maybe I will give it a try.
This made me really want to take a pilates class….and feel like a tree branch because I hunch a lot. I’m gonna try to sit up straight now….
I have done Pilates workout videos before and they always hurt my core! I never heard of that analogy before but it really does make a lot of sense. I will have to go to one of the Pilates classes at the gym!
I have never even tried to do Pilates before because I wasn’t really interested. But now I would totally try Pilates just to see how it works for me. Having a strong core is so important to good posture and it helps in other physical activities such as running or walking, and it’s great that Pilates focuses on engaging all of these muscle groups and gets them working together smoothly!