Pilates - Something for Everyone

What’s not to love about Pilates?  It’s an amazing low impact workout that uses controlled movements to strengthen, lengthen and tone your muscles.  We all hear about the attention Pilates gives to the core muscles, but it is an exercise option that works the whole body, building strength and flexibility while improving your posture. 

Still not convinced?  Well then, let’s take a look at all of the tremendous benefits of Pilates…

1.       Pilates is for everyone! 
Elite athletes, older adults, teens, pregnant or returning from injury, Pilates can be modified to meet all sorts of individual needs.  Just make sure you let your instructor know if you have any concerns or injuries that need to be considered.

2.       Pilates makes you flexible.
During a class, you work in a safe manner to lengthen and stretch your muscles as well as the range of movement in your joints keeping you supple and reducing the risk of injury during other sports or even in day-to-day activities.

3.       Pilates builds your core strength.
The deep muscles of the back, abdomen and pelvic floor are vital for good back health and posture.  These are the muscles that support your body’s frame and when strong, the neck and shoulders are more relaxed as they don’t have to work hard to keep you in the correct position. 

4.       Pilates gives you energy.
Cardiorespiratory fitness improves as Pilates focuses on your breathing which in turn stimulates all those awesome feel-good hormones (endorphins) along with oxygen flow and blood circulation all of which contribute to a fantastic boost in energy.

5.       Pilates improves body awareness
As a mind body practice, Pilates develops body awareness – or proprioception.  As a positive consequence, the body becomes more aware of stimulus which can help reduce the risk of injuries and falls.  

6.       Pilates decreases stress
Who doesn’t want to feel less overwhelmed by stress?  The inward focus and breathing exercises utilised during a Pilates class can settle your nervous system, lower cortisol, and take you out of the exhausting fight or flight mode we can be stuck in when stress takes over.

7.       Pilates improves balance
Because of the work Pilates does on core strength, as well as the focus on body alignment and whole-body exercises, you will notice an improvement in balance for all activities including those that involve reaching and twisting. 

8.       Pilates boosts immunity
Studies on older adults shows that Pilates helps boost the immune system and the research suggests this could be the case for all ages.  The impact on the immune system is derived from the improvements on circulation that come from participating in Pilates.

9.       Pilates improves cognitive function
Once again, the improvement to circulation delivers a win but this time it is in cognitive function in the areas of learning, memory and executive thinking (planning, focusing, remembering instructions, and juggling multiple tasks well).

Now you know why Pilates is so amazing, feel free to jump into a class – we’ve got three scheduled each week across August and September.  And I’d love to hear how you feel once you’ve enjoyed a few classes – see how many of the above improvements you can tick off.