Pilates

As people are becoming more aware of the importance of their health, they are finding that there are so many opportunities for them to help their bodies.  If you are a person who doesn’t enjoy going to the gym or health club and are just looking for a regular and fun exercise program you can go to, you may be interested in Pilates.  An exercise program that many celebrities use to tone their bodies and stay in shape, pilates is quickly becoming one of the most popular exercise programs today.

Developed almost a century ago by Joseph Pilates, Pilates is an exercise method that is known to have a number of great health benefits.  It has been cited as a great way to lose weight and maintain a healthy body.  Additionally, pilates has been tied with increased flexibility and strengthening your muscles.  Additionally, proponents of Pilates swear by its incredible effect of reducing stress levels and increasing your energy.  There are a number of types of pilates, including such popular methods as: windsor pilates, zone pilates, supreme pilates, and winsor pilates.

Pilates Exercise can be described as a system of exercises that are designed to create a synergy between your body and mind.  It is an extremely detailed exercise program that is designed to use your mind to control your muscular actions.  By building this relationship, proponents of pilates feel that you will maximize your body’s strength while minimizing its weaknesses.  As a result of this philosophy, pilates exercises have been shown to strengthen your core muscles, relieve spinal and back tension, and increasing your body’s balance.

Pilates also incorporates a number of breathing exercises that are designed to aid in blood circulation.  Pilates Exercise tends to focus on a part of your body that is described as the powerhouse.  By focusing on your abdomen, lower back, hips, and buttocks, Pilates will strengthen your core muscles and this will increase your body’s balance.  Unlike other exercise programs, pilates emphasizes body control.  Rather than trying to increase your body’s strength by adding resistance, pilates is designed to help you exert control over your muscles.  The increased relationship between your mind and your body is believed to be one of the biggest benefits of Pilates, as it increases your confidence and comfort with your physical self.

It is important that if you do decide to do pilates as your exercise program that you have the proper equipment.  If you are taking a pilates class, make sure that you feel confident in your Pilates instructor.  Don’t hesitate to say something if you feel like the Pilates exercise you are learning is too advanced for your body.  The worst thing that can happen is you say nothing and risk the chance of injury.  For some people, they are able to do pilates at home by watching a pilates dvd.  Make sure that you have the proper pilates equipment if you do decide to go this route.

A popular exercise program, Pilates has proven to be an effective and fun way to get your body into tip top shape.  As more gyms and health clubs are offering Free Pilates classes for the curious, now is the best time to see if Pilates is the exercise program for you!