If you’re looking for a low impact, low-stress workout that will strengthen and stretch your body, pilates is a great choice. Whether you do it on the floor using gravity for resistance, or on modern equipment like reformers or large spring-loaded Megaformers, Pilates is a total body exercise that will leave you feeling great even on day one.
Joseph Pilates’ definition of physical fitness was: “a uniformly developed body with a sound mind, capable of performing every day’s activities with spontaneous zest and pleasure.” While we can’t promise that pilates will give you that perfect beach body, it does have some powerful feel-good benefits that will help you live life to the fullest.
Unlike other forms of exercise, Pilates focuses on slow, controlled movements that require more focus than repetition. It also emphasizes core strength, with exercises targeting the abdominal muscles, pelvic floor and back. As these muscles become stronger, the movements they support will be easier to execute with proper form. This helps to avoid injury by eliminating overuse of large muscle movers and developing the small stabilizer muscles that are essential for movement and balance.
The mental component of pilates—focused breathing, mindfulness and the practice of connecting your mind to your body—has been shown to reduce stress. It’s also been used as a complementary workout for athletes, including dancers, golfers, runners, cyclists and football players to enhance flexibility, agility, posture and performance. It’s a workout that can be tailored to meet your specific needs and goals, from reducing chronic back pain to improving sports performance.