Pilates has been around for nearly a century, but it wasn’t really on anyone’s radar until A-list celebrities like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow started doing it in the early 2000s. Since then, pilates has gained a massive following, especially among those in the fitness world. Pilates offers a safe and effective workout for almost any age or ability, and it’s been shown to help improve flexibility, abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability and muscular activity.
Like yoga and tai chi, Pilates is considered a form of intentional movement exercise. These types of movements focus on slow, controlled exercises that challenge the body to resist gravity and move through precise ranges of motion. Pilates is also non-aerobic, meaning that it doesn’t get the heart rate up as quickly as other forms of exercise.
One way Pilates creates muscle strength and endurance is by using a type of contraction called eccentric muscle contractions. These occur when the muscles are stretched against resistance, such as with a bicep curl or on a Pilates ring.
Another way Pilates helps people is by improving balance and coordination, and it can even help prevent injuries. It increases proprioception, which is the awareness of where your body is in space (like a sense of “spatial awareness”). This can boost performance for athletes and reduce the risk of falls and other accidents.
In addition to being a great core workout, Pilates has been shown to help with back pain and to ease the symptoms of dysmenorrhea (painful periods). It can be a helpful part of a regular exercise regimen, especially for people who participate in other activities that require repetitive movements, such as runners, bicyclists or swimmers.