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💪️ Fitness and Wellness

June 10, 2024

Unlocking the Benefits of Pilates

What Does Each Pilates Class Focus on?
The benefits of Pilates
How to start as a beginner
Combining Pilates with a healthy diet

Pilates has recently gained immense popularity as one of the best fitness workouts in the world for achieving happiness and increasing self-confidence. This type of exercise originated in the mind of German athlete Joseph Pilates in the early twentieth century.

In time, It has become one of the most famous and widely practiced international exercises. In this article, we will dive deep into what Pilates is, explore its origins and principles of practice, and its countless techniques and benefits.

What is Pilates and How Does It Differ from Other Workout Routines?

The workouts of Pilates aim to build physical strength, flexibility, posture, and mental awareness. It focuses on endurance, proper body alignment, and breathing techniques that are a bit similar to Yoga breathing exercises.

The workouts are different from traditional strength training in various sports classes, it is centered around focus, control, precision, breathing, and flow while practicing the movements.

What Does Each Class Focus on?

Strengthening the core of the body: the exercises are all about endurance by focusing on the core of the body. The core is known as the center of strength. This area includes the muscles of the abdomen, lower back, hips, and pelvis.
Focusing: Every movement requires mental attention and focus, as practitioners develop a deeper mind-body connection, enhancing body awareness and being able to take control of each movement.
Taking control: the workouts emphasize movement quality more than the time you spend practicing. The exercises are performed with high precision, which contributes to reducing the risk of sports injury as we often see.
Precision: every movement in Pilates is executed with care, which increases the effectiveness everytime you accomplish the class.
Breathing: proper breathing is an integral part of Pilates practice. Deep, coordinated breathing helps oxygenate the blood, energizes the body, and facilitates movement. It also promotes relaxation and reduces stress.
Improving flexibility: Pilates exercises are designed to flow seamlessly from one exercise to the next, creating a smooth and dynamic workout experience. Overtime, it will enhance flexibility and overall body awareness.

What Are the Benefits of Pilates ?

There are numerous benefits of pilates, these benefits aim to improve each physical and mental level. Take a look at the most prominent of these benefits:

Building Strength and Endurance

Most of the workouts target the deep abdominal, pelvic, and back muscles. Its movements can sculpt the body and make it more attractive and harmonious.

Improving Flexibility

Pilates exercises focus on lengthening and stretching muscles, enhancing flexibility and joint mobility. Increased flexibility reduces the risk of injury, improves range of motion, and enhances overall the body’s performance while exercising.

Improving the Body’s Posture

The exercises provide the body with correct standing and sitting by improving the shape of the spine, which helps correct postural imbalances and relieve back pain. It also helps strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and make it longer and straighter.

Increase Muscle Strength

Large and small muscle groups will be targeted. You will recognize the improvement of the muscles strength and condition, especially for employees who sit for long periods in front of screens. Regular exercise can sculpt fat and make muscles look long and lean, creating a balanced and proportioned body.

Reducing Stress

One of the most prominent benefits of Pilates exercises is enhancing relaxation and achieving mental clarity. It’s by focusing on breathing and movement, practitioners gradually feel that stress becomes less while progressively eliminating the constant feeling of anxiety that afflicts them daily, making them feel calm and renewed.

Injury Rehabilitation

Pilates is widely used as a rehabilitation method for individuals recovering from injury or dealing with chronic pain. There are special rehabilitation movements to help control injuries. This is why pilates is suitable for people of all fitness levels.

Tips to Start Pilates for beginners

Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or on an advanced level, Pilates offers something for everyone. As a beginner, It is important that you start with a qualified trainer who can guide you through the correct technique and the appropriate number of times you should practice pilates during the week.

The workouts can be practiced almost anywhere, even from home, which makes it easy to access by searching for Pilates exercises with pictures if you are at an intermediate to advanced level, or through dedicated videos on the Internet. With consistent practice, you will soon experience the amazing benefits and see visible results on your body and mind.

How Do You Combine Pilates with Starting a Healthy Diet?

Do you want to start a healthy diet to change your health for the better? At Calo, we offer you a healthy food delivery service to your home or office, especially on your very busy days. Calo meals are prepared with high precision and according to the information you provide through our application that is available on iOS and Android.

FAQ

What is the difference between yoga and Pilates?

Yoga focuses on connecting the mind and body through postures, breathing and meditation, as well as focusing on flexibility and relaxation. On the other hand, Pilates focuses on strength and stability, moving smoothly and a little faster through various movements.

How many times a week should you practice Pilates?

At least three times a week.

Can pilates burn fat?

Studies have proven that Pilates exercises help burn fat and are suitable for individuals who aspire to lose weight or change the shape of the body.

In conclusion, Pilates is not just about exercising but rather a comprehensive approach to health and happiness. It strengthens the body, calms the mind, and nourishes the soul. If you want to read more about health and how to eat on a budget, check the Calo blog for interesting health topics.

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