The Benefits of Pilates

23 Oct The Benefits of Pilates

The rigid and routine heavy lives we live today often have us working the same muscles over and over, rendering most of us very leg and chest dominant.
This disregards one of the most important muscle groups in terms of mobility and strength, our core.

Developed originally to aid dancers through injury, Pilates is an exercise where you perform a series of controlled movements that flow into each other with precision. The goal is to be completely in control of your body while performing these movements.
While this may sound similar to yoga, Pilates focuses much more on building functional strength.
On the other hand, yoga is centered around mobility and flexibility.

Because of this, Pilates is a great option if your aim is toning up or strengthening your body overall.

Additionally, if you’ve been experiencing back pain, tight hip flexors, or posture issues, consider giving Pilates a shot.
It primarily targets your abdominals, hips, glutes, back muscles and thigh muscles.
A lack of strength in any of these areas could be the key reason you’ve been experiencing any of the above issues.

With that being said, Pilates doesn’t really have a narrow target audience.
It is such a versatile exercise that it would greatly benefit anybody who consistently partakes in it.
This ranges from full time athletes to postpartum mothers, older folks and those who have never worked out a day in their lives.

Going back to its original purpose, Pilates is wonderful to guide you through injury recovery. So if you’re a highly active person, but an injury has unfortunately hindered your physical activity – Pilates is a great way to ease fitness back into your life in a safe and controlled manner and environment.

The benefits of Pilates for new/expecting mothers are almost too many to count on both hands.
The pelvic floor muscles support your uterus, bladder and bowel.
They go under a period of considerable strain during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Pilates incorporates movements specifically designed to improve the pelvic floor’s strength and flexibility.

This aids in avoiding issues such as pelvic organ prolapses, incontinence, and many other postpartum related issues. In fact, a low impact Pilates program while still pregnant is a great way to ensure that your postpartum journey will be a breeze.

The great thing about Pilates is how accessible it really is.
Technically, all you need is a mat. To many, the first image that comes to mind when Pilates is mentioned is the machine known as a “Pilates reformer”.

Good news, you can absolutely do Pilates and reap all its benefits without a reformer. In fact, mat Pilates may actually be more beneficial and intense than Pilates on a reformer. This is because you are relying completely on the control you have over your own body to perform the moves – with no support from a machine.

All in all, Pilates has so many benefits that it’s hard to find a reason not to sign up for a class right at this moment!

Here at Fitness in Motion, our mission is to make workouts like Pilates (and much more!) accessible for all, and to improve the overall health of our Lantau community. If any of the points above have intrigued you, and you or someone you know are interested in signing up for a class, do not hesitate to contact us.