Like yoga, tai chi and qigong, Pilates helps you feel more grounded and connected to your body. It’s a low-impact, partial weight-bearing exercise that can be done by people of all fitness levels. The movements — performed on a mat or using equipment — are designed to be gentle but challenging and can range from a controlled stretch to a full-body strength training workout.
It improves balance and coordination. Many exercise programs target only a few muscles in the core, but Pilates exercises work all the joints and muscles of the entire body. This makes it easier to perform daily activities, and reduces the risk of injury. It also increases proprioception(Link opens in new window), or spatial awareness. This means that when you do Pilates, you become more aware of where your muscles are strong and weak, and where you store tension.
In the long run, it can reduce back pain. Many studies show that it is more effective than other types of resistance training(Link opens in new window) for people with chronic lower back pain. It can help improve the strength of your muscles, and also help reduce pain and stiffness in your back and neck.
It can also make you more toned and increase your lean muscle mass, which can help you lose weight(Link opens in new window) if you’re following a healthy diet. Pilates can also help you get better sleep, which can improve your overall health.