Pilates is an intentional movement practice that emphasizes breath and body-to-breath connection. It can be gentle enough for rehab and recovery, or a full-on fitness workout that challenges even seasoned athletes. It’s also been shown to be a great workout for those looking to lose weight. Whether done on a mat, reformer or in the studio, the discipline burns a significant amount of calories for a low-impact, high-intensity exercise.
It builds lean muscle mass, which increases the metabolism and helps the body use more calories throughout the day, even when at rest. Combined with good posture, which also improves as a result of regular pilates sessions, this can help you appear slimmer, and feel stronger and more confident in your physique.
It can also help you better handle physical or mental stress, which may lower your chance of injury. This is partly due to the method’s emphasis on proper form and alignment. As a result, participants learn how to properly support their joints and spine, which decreases musculoskeletal pain and increases flexibility. One study found that people who practiced pilates had significantly reduced chronic lower back pain and disability, compared to those who did not — though more research is needed in this area (2).