Whether you’re an athlete or a beginner, the little movements that make up pilates can challenge your strength and build a better mind-body connection. Because of its focus on precision, control and concentration, Pilates has been shown to improve balance and coordination, which helps reduce falls and injuries. Like yoga, Pilates teaches mindfulness and can help you learn more about how your muscles feel in each moment.
Developed by Joseph Pilates, this transformative workout method builds a long and lean body. It’s practiced by celebrities, models, and athletes to strengthen, tone, and protect against or rehab from injuries.
In addition to its physical benefits, Pilates has a number of health and emotional benefits, including stress relief and a deeper sense of connection with your body. Its movements are low impact, so it’s safe for people with back pain or injuries, and its exercises can be modified for every skill level.
If you’re interested in trying it, ask your GP if it’s safe for you to do before signing up for class. And remember, it’s important to start slow and work your way up to higher difficulty levels, to avoid overuse injury.
It’s also a good idea to incorporate other types of exercise into your fitness routine, such as cardio or weight lifting, to prevent overuse injuries and to keep your body challenged. This is known as cross training and it can also help prevent fitness burnout, which may lead you to stop exercising altogether.