Originally developed in the 1920s for physical rehabilitation, pilates is a non-aerobic exercise that uses body weight and specialized equipment to create resistance training. It’s low impact and can range from gentle to intense. Incorporating a combination of floor based exercises and changing body positions, the challenge in Pilates is in moving the joints through precise ranges of motion while maintaining correct breathing and focusing on finding a center point to control the movement of the body.
Strengthening muscles through repetition is what gives Pilates its long history of success in strengthening the core and helping to alleviate back pain, including chronic lower back pain. It can also improve balance(Link opens in new tab) and mobility, which is important as people age. While many think of pilates as a way to strengthen, tone and build muscle, it is also beneficial for improving flexibility(Link opens in new tab) and improving posture.
The best time of day to do Pilates is when your body is ready to move. Some people prefer to do a short Pilates workout first thing in the morning so that they feel prepared for the day ahead, while others enjoy doing it at the end of the day to help them wind down before bed.
As with any exercise, you should always check with your doctor before starting a Pilates routine to see if it’s an appropriate fit for you. For most people, it is, but you should get the okay if you’re recovering from an injury or if you have another health issue that could interfere with your ability to safely exercise.