Pilates is a low-impact exercise that strengthens the body’s core muscles, improves posture, and helps relieve back pain. It’s also been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea, or painful periods.
Pilates also promotes a mind-body connection, which can help you learn to love your body and respect what it can do. By focusing on precise movements, it forces you to get in tune with your body and notice how much better you can move when you are consciously activating your muscles and aligning your body just so.
While most people think of their abdomen when they hear “core” training, the true core of the body is your trunk, which includes the muscles of the upper and lower spine, hips, buttocks, and pelvic floor. Pilates exercises target these muscles in a variety of ways, promoting stronger, more balanced and stable posture (1, 2).
One of the biggest challenges with pilates is that it takes time to see results. This is why it’s important to be patient and commit to a consistent practice. Even on the days when you’d rather hit the snooze button than head to your studio and huff and puff through a session, it’s important to make Pilates a priority so you can build strength over time.
Pilates is a great addition to any exercise routine, but it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting a new workout program. They may recommend that you modify your program to prevent injuries or to improve the outcomes of your existing exercise routines.