Health & Fitness : Pilates Exercises

Pilates is an exercise which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement.

Pilates is a gentle, low-impact form of exercise, that focuses on stretching and strengthening the whole body to improve balance, muscle-strength, flexibility and posture.

Pilates is suitable for people of all ages and all levels of fitness.

Positive effect of Pilates

Muscle tone, increased strength and flexibility and improved overall mobility and precision at which you move. It’s perfect for people who like a meditative element in their exercise regimes.

Why you’d Choose Not to do Pilates?

Pilates will not help you lose weight.

You need at least three cardio workouts a week plus two to three Pilates classes and follow a healthy eating pattern for overall results. If you’re used to high intensity workouts with loud music and a pumped-up instructor than you may find the Pilates classes too slow and monotonous.

What Will You Need?

The Pilates equipment uses the resistance of springs to create effort. The principle piece of equipment is called the reformer and consists of a sliding platform anchored at one end of its frame with springs. The platform is moved by either pulling on ropes or pushing off from a stationary bar. Another Pilates machine (Rowing Machines) is called the cadillac and consists of a padded platform with a cage-like frame above it. From this frame various bars or straps are attached by springs.

Mat exercises primarily focus on strengthening the muscles of the trunk and hip and increasing the flexibility of both the spine and hips. Lately, pilates has merged with other movement techniques, such as yoga, or use of an exercise ball.