Many fitness trends come and go. But a few stand the test of time and enjoy a steady stream of interest from newbies. Pilates is one of those workouts. It’s a relatively low impact exercise that has been around for 100 years. It’s been shown to be effective for people of all ages and levels of health.
Pilates strengthens muscles that support your spine and pelvic joints, improving balance(Link opens in a new window) and core strength. Its emphasis on breathing and the connection between body and mind can also reduce stress. Moreover, as with yoga and other mindfulness practices, the attention on breath in Pilates exercises helps increase your awareness of how your body feels and what its signals are telling you.
The way the Pilates movement sequences are designed also makes them suitable for a range of ages and ability levels. The small class sizes in a studio allow instructors to give students one-on-one instruction and help them correct their form, which can prevent injuries. It’s important to get an instructor’s approval before starting a program that involves repetitive, high-impact movements, though, particularly if you have any injuries or health conditions.
Because of the way it strengthens your core and improves posture, pilates can also lower the risk of falls(Link opens in a new window) or injury when you’re moving about your daily life. This is because it can make you more aware of your body’s position and movement, helping you stay in better control.