19 Practical Health Benefits Of Pilates

Benefits Of Pilates

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to get in shape, you might want to consider trying something new?

In today’s article, for example, we’re looking at several practical benefits.

Pilates (pronounced Pil-Ah-Tees) is a physical activity that has proved to be hugely popular over the years.

Pilates has been practiced for centuries upon centuries, yet recently it has proven to be especially popular amongst people from all across the globe.

With more people realizing the importance of good health, people are embracing physical health and well-being and are making a real effort to become more active and healthier in numerous ways.

One such way is through the practice of Pilates, which is why we’re looking at the benefits of Pilates in today’s article.

From complete newbies to experienced veterans of the activity, Pilates is great for people of all ages, genders, shapes, sizes, and physical abilities.

But exactly what are some of the key benefits it provides and is it really as fantastic as people would have us believe?

Here’s a look at several practical benefits.

What Is Pilates? – A Brief History:

The get things rolling today, we’ll start off by taking a look at what Pilates actually is.

Pilates is a form of exercise which is designed to strengthen your torso while placing an emphasis on core strength and functionality.

Pilates is often compared to yoga, and to be fair, they do share similarities in that they are both low-impact, low-intensity exercises which are designed to work on your posture, flexibility, core strength, breathing, and mental health.

Pilates was developed by a German man named Joseph Pilates who was a part-time gymnast.

He developed this form of exercise for soldiers, and interestingly, dancers who were both injured, while he resided in the UK.

He was a firm believer that physical and mental health were both connected which is why he created Pilates.

In the 1920s, Joseph moved to the US, opened his first Pilates studio shortly afterward, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Pilates?

Benefits Of Pilates

Now that we have a clearer idea of what Pilates is, let us now take a look at what some of the main benefits actually are.

Here’s a look at several tried and tested benefits.

1. Anybody Can Do Pilates

One of the main benefits is the fact that anybody can do it.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re brand new to the world of fitness, or if you’re a seasoned fitness veteran with years of experience under your belt, Pilates is ideal for people of all fitness abilities, from all walks of life.

2. Pilates Is Scalable

Pilates can be as physically demanding as you like, so whether you’re looking for a slow and low-intensity workout, or a circuit training, high-intensity workout, Pilates can be scaled up to suit your own specific requirements.

3. Pilates Improves Your Flexibility

POP Pilates: Stretching for Flexibility! (Full 10 min) Pilates Video

When people talk about the benefits, you simply can’t overlook the fact that Pilates improves your flexibility noticeably.

Because of the stretches and movements associated with Pilates, over time you’ll find that your flexibility levels and mobility levels improve noticeably.

4. Pilates Burns Calories

Are you looking for new ways to fight the flab and lose the last of your lockdown weight before venturing out into the outside world once more?

If so, then why not try Pilates?

Pilates is a physical activity, and while it isn’t high intensity or as physically demanding as HIIT training, a typical Pilates class will still easily burn off a few hundred calories.

Take part in several Pilates workouts each week and these calories will soon add up.

5. Pilates Is Great For Your Back

Another of the practical benefits which we’re going to look at today is the fact that Pilates is also great for the back.

Many of the stretches and poses you perform as part of a Pilates workout are designed to help straighten out the back and strengthen it.

Therefore, if you suffer from back pain, backache, or even poor posture, Pilates is ideal.

6. Pilates Improves Posture

On the subject of posture, because sitting is now the ‘new smoking’ more and more people are suffering from posture-related issues due to the amount of time they spend sitting down.

Poor posture can lead to neck pain, back pain, the curvature of the spine, headaches, stiff joints, a loss of height, and much more on top of that.

What does posture have to do with Pilates?

Well, as mentioned, Pilates helps to straighten out the back and promote a strong core and good posture.

This will not only help to ease pain and discomfort but will also improve your overall quality of life too.

7. Pilates Is Fun

If you’re sick and tired of going through the same boring and monotonous workouts day in and day out and feel like trying something new, why not try Pilates?

BLACKPINK INSPIRED PILATES WORKOUT! | Workout Like Jennie & Rosé | MishMe

Pilates is a great way to get in shape because it is fun and enjoyable and it offers you something new and unique.

If you have fun when working out, it won’t actually feel like a workout at all.

8. Pilates Helps Establish A Mind-body Connection

As mentioned when describing Pilates, Joseph Pilates believed that our physical and mental health were closely related to each other.

Because of this, Pilates was designed to help improve mental health and help establish a mind-body connection.

When you take part in a Pilates workout, you actually have to think about each movement you perform.

With more traditional and intense workouts, as you’re working so hard you don’t really have time to think.

When you take part in Pilates, you are helping to bring a synergy between your mind and your body.

9. Pilates Improves Mental Health

Needless to say, when talking about the practical benefits, we simply cannot overlook the fact that Pilates has been found to improve mental health so much.

Pilates, like other forms of exercise, helps to promote the production and secretion of endorphins which lift your spirits and make you feel good.

It also suppresses cortisol production, helps you to control your breathing, helps you to relax, promotes sleep, and a whole lot more besides.

If you roll all of these benefits up into a ball and combine them together, you have the perfect recipe for great mental health.

10. Pilates Can Improve Athletic Performance

Another hugely practical benefit of Pilates is the fact that it has been found to help improve athletic performance.

Pilates helps to loosen up stiff muscles, strengthens the core, it helps to improves your mobility and flexibility, which in turn will help to make you a better athlete by boosting your athletic performance.

Athletes from all walks of life often incorporate Pilates into their training regimes, and we can understand exactly why that is.

11. Pilates Improves Your Balance

You never know when having a good balance may come in handy.

Okay, it’s highly unlikely that you will find yourself walking a tightrope anytime soon (unless you plan on joining the circus) but that doesn’t mean that having a good balance isn’t useful.

Having a good balance will make everyday tasks around the house easier, it will make you a better athlete, and it could even help you to avoid injury.

Because of the stretches, movements, and tools such as the balance board involved in Pilates, your balance will improve noticeably when you incorporate these workouts into your everyday training regime.

12. Pilates Is A Great Way To Meet People

If the best part of a year of isolation, being locked away from friends and family members have taught us anything, it’s the fact that we generally need to socialize.

If you’re looking to get out there and socialize, meet new people, and maybe even make new friends, Pilates is perfect.

If you search online for Pilates classes near you, you’ll find plenty of options and when you join you’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals with the same interests and goals as you, so the ice is broken right away.

13. Pilates Works Your Entire Body

Okay, Pilates workouts won’t work the same muscles as a full-body compound weight training workout would, but when speaking of the practical benefits, the exercise in question does in fact work your entire body.

Pilates moves your body in a number of different orientations and directions, which will help to stabilize and mobilize your body and work different muscles from different angles.

14. Pilates Strengthens Your Core

One of the main benefits associated with Pilates is the fact that it has been designed to help to strengthen the core and promote core strength and stability.

Having a strong core is not just great for overall strength and power, it’s also ideal for people who are looking to build a strong and powerful midsection and perhaps get a six-pack set of abs ready for the summer.

15. Pilates Boosts Circulation

If you suffer from poor circulation, Pilates could be the perfect activity to take part in.

Because Pilates is a slow and gentle form of exercise, it gradually boosts your circulation and helps to enhance blood flow and oxygen transportation in the body.

This is great not only for health but also for your energy levels as well, due to the fact that more oxygen being transported to your cells means more energy.

16. Pilates Helps To Invigorate You

On the subject of energy levels, Pilates is the perfect activity to take part in if you are looking for tried and tested ways of invigorating yourself and ramping up your energy levels.

Those who regularly take part in Pilates workouts and classes find themselves feeling revitalized, energized, and invigorated afterward.

This is largely due to the endorphins you produce, as well as the extra oxygen being carried to your cells in the bloodstream.

If you want the perfect way to start your day, be sure to kick your morning off with a Pilates workout as this will set you up nicely for the day ahead.

17. Pilates Is Great For Your Butt

Best Pilates Booty Workout | Amazing Tone & Definition In 10 Minutes

Okay, perhaps this isn’t the most practical of Pilates benefits that we’re looking at today, but even so, it’s still pretty awesome.

If you want a shapely, firm, and toned butt, Pilates will help to target the glutes as each movement and exercise you perform will work your glutes in one way or another.

Pilates is great for people with joint issues

If you suffer from joint issues such as arthritis, or chronic inflammation, finding a low-impact exercise can be tricky.

Fortunately, Pilates is exactly that.

Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that is perfect for people suffering from joint issues.

18. Pilates Reduces Your Risk Of Injury

Another very practical benefit is the fact that the activity itself helps to reduce your risk of injury.

To begin with, it boosts flexibility which helps to increase muscle elasticity, then on top of that, it boosts circulation, increases your core body temp, and strengthens your core.

Whether you’re a pro athlete or are a retired senior citizen, Pilates helps to reduce your risk of injury quite noticeably.

19. Pilates Can Be Done Anywhere

Finally, perhaps one of the most practical benefits is the fact that Pilates can be done anywhere, at any time.

To do Pilates, you don’t need any fancy equipment or spacious gyms or studios, you just need yourself and a little open space and you’re all set.

Final Verdict On Pilates:

So, what’s the final verdict on Pilates?

Well, as you can see, there are heaps upon heaps of benefits of Pilates to be enjoyed, so it will come as no surprise for you to learn that Pilates is indeed high on our list of priorities and we hold them in very high regard.

Pilates are versatile, unique, and hugely beneficial, and for that reason, we’re giving them two huge thumbs up.

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