The Health and Wellness Benefits of Pilates
Are you trying to reach your full fitness potential in 2022? Getting started with a healthy lifestyle isn’t always easy, especially if you live an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. Why not try something new and fun that will help you get strong and improve your mobility?
Pilates might be your new favorite fitness activity.
But why choose pilates over other types of exercise? What are the pilates benefits? We’re here to answer your questions so you can make an informed decision about your health and wellness.
Read on to learn all about the health benefits of pilates.
Improved Core Strength
One of the biggest benefits of Pilates is how much it can impact your core. If you’re tired of trying to get stronger abs, don’t waste time doing countless crunches in the gym. Try taking a pilates class either with or without equipment.
Pilates requires you to use all of those stabilization muscles in your core and back. Some of those cores are deep inside, and you may never work them with traditional exercises.
Pilates challenges your stability, but it doesn’t feel as intense as a standard workout. You’re going to work your core without knowing it.
When you have better core strength, you’re also going to have better posture as a result. You’ll find yourself sitting up straighter and feeling more comfortable day-to-day.
Improved Performance in Other Exercises and Sports
If you already exercise or play a sport, Pilates is still a great addition to your routine. It’s perfect for “active rest days” or just general low-impact exercise days when you’re still feeling sore.
Because Pilates can improve your balance and stability, you may find yourself performing better when you’re doing your other physical activities. You might feel sturdier when you’re doing lunges and squats, less clumsy when you’re running, and more.
Your overall balance will improve, meaning that you’ll be able to do single-leg exercises, like single-leg deadlifts or Bulgarian split squats, with less effort and better form.
More Flexibility
How flexible do you feel? If you’re like most people, the answer is “not very.” Many people can’t even touch their toes (though there are genetic components to your ability to touch your toes alongside lifestyle and fitness components).
Good flexibility leads to better mobility. Better mobility has benefits that will last a lifetime. You may find yourself able to avoid many of the mobility challenges that people face as they age.
Pilates requires slow and steady movements. Those movements gently stretch your body. You’ll lengthen and expand your muscles during each exercise.
This is active stretching. While you should also try standard stretching between pilates sessions, active stretching will warm up your muscles and improve your mobility in a safe and comfortable way.
Overall Strengthening Benefits
Pilates can be used as strength training! You don’t have to lift heavy weights to strengthen your muscles (though we always recommend traditional strength training in combination with pilates for even greater benefits).
Pilates doesn’t only strengthen your core. It can also strengthen your upper and lower body. You can strengthen your chest, your back, your arms, your glutes, and more.
Many people use pilates as a burnout after more intense strength-training exercises. You can use your own body weight to build muscle!
Weight Loss
Pilates isn’t a traditional weight-loss activity, but when you add it to your routine and combine it with an otherwise healthy lifestyle, you can shed a few pounds and tone up.
The number of calories that you burn during a standard pilates class will vary depending on the intensity of the class, your current body composition, and how hard you work. That said, any time that you’re working your body and staying active, you’re sure to burn calories.
Pilates shouldn’t be the only thing in your weight-loss toolbox, but it makes a great addition.
Low-Impact
If you struggle with your joints or if “regular” exercises are too intense for you, pilates is a great way to start your fitness journey. Pilates is a low-impact exercise that still delivers fantastic results. It’s easy on the joints so it’s accessible to everyone.
When you go to your first Pilates class, make sure to tell your instructor if you have any joint pain. They’ll be able to modify the lesson to relieve pressure on that joint.
You may find that your joint pain lessens over time after you build strength and mobility.
Mental Health Benefits
Pilates isn’t only good for your physical health. It can also benefit your mental health.
First, it’s great for mindfulness. Pilates requires you to have a mind-body connection and focus on the muscles that you’re moving. You won’t be able to maintain your balance if you allow your mind to wander too much!
Pilates also requires you to control your breathing. Learning steady breathing exercises is a great calming technique. It may lower your stress and blood pressure.
All forms of physical activity, including pilates, will cause your brain to release endorphins. Endorphins are “happy chemicals” that can alleviate stress, depression, and more. You’ll leave your workout sessions feeling great!
Take Advantage of These Pilates Benefits
If you’re looking for a way to get healthier in 2022, pilates might be the answer. The pilates benefits are great for your body and mind. This seemingly simple low-intensity exercise can have a big impact!
Start taking advantage of the pilates workout benefits this year!
At Carmel Pilates and Personal Training and Studio J Pilates they aim to help all of their clients reach their full health and wellness potential. Learn more about their in studio training and view their upcoming class schedule today!