If you want a flat stomach and that lean, svelte appearance, Pilates can help. It’s a good way to build core strength that supplements traditional workout techniques used in the gym. It involves low impact exercises that balance muscles and improve the neuromuscular pattern. You’ll gain flexibility, strength, and functional fitness. You’ll also reduce pain. As Pilates builds core strength, it also builds grace and agility.
Pilates is best known for improving core strength and posture.
Unlike some types of exercise that are strictly for building bulk, Pilates builds lean muscle strength. It works on core muscles—the muscles in the front and back of your trunk that support the body and stabilize it. Core strength can relieve back pain and put more power into explosive movements. Core strength also improves posture. That helps relieve back, shoulder, and head pain and makes you look more confident.
Improved core strength helps prevent injury.
Strengthening your core muscles while preventing them from becoming too tight is the goal of Pilates. It helps protect the body from injury. Both too tight of muscles or too weak and loose create the perfect conditions for injury. Pilates gives you an improved range of motion but also supplies stabilization of the joints and overall support. If you play sports, studies show it can help prevent injury.
Pilates enhances the body-mind connection.
The practice puts your focus on what’s happening in your body and builds awareness of pain, discomfort, pleasure, and even your emotions. That heightened awareness makes you more aware of potential dangers from a fall. Improved mindfulness can also help in other areas of your life, including weight loss and satiation points when eating. You’ll also increase your energy. It’s low impact, so it tends to leave you feeling exhilarated and not exhausted when you’re finished.
- It improves circulation and boosts immunity. The immunity boost occurs because it boosts circulation and improves immune functioning. Studies showed that Pilates is particularly beneficial for immune functioning the older you are.
- It can help boost your strength and build stronger bones, like many types of exercise. It also improves cognitive functioning. That’s because of increased blood flow to the brain, the creation of neurotransmitters, and a longer lifespan of neurons.
- Improved flexibility, strength, and endurance can improve your sex life. It allows for longer sessions and new positions. It strengthens the pelvic floor to improve women’s sexual pleasure.
- You’ll improve your sleep and reduce inflammation when you practice Pilates. Like all exercise, Pilates helps you sleep better. It also increases lymphatic and synovial fluid movement to reduce inflammation, toxic build-up, and pain.
For more information, contact us today at LIV Fitness