The Benefits of Pilates
March 5, 2009 by Tisha Tolar
Filed under Exercise
A man by the name of Joseph Pilates developed a physical fitness system we now know as “Pilates”. It teaches total body awareness, it has benefits, 
good posture, and the practice will increase your strength, flexibility and a toned body. In the past five years or so, Pilates has gained popularity and more than 10 million people, including athletes, dancers, Hollywood celebrities and supermodels claim to use Pilates.
Pilates includes over 500 exercises which can be done on a mat or using equipment that was invested by Joseph Pilates. There are exercises within each of three levels for beginners, intermediate and advanced students of Pilates.
The benefits of Pilates are many, both when it’s used as your health and fitness program and when used to rehabilitate individuals with poor backs, knees, and other problem areas of the body. Some of the benefits of Pilates include:
Strengthening Muscles Without Bulking-Up
Body builders want to get the “muscle man” look, and look forward to bulging arms and muscles that are clearly defined. Bulking-up comes from workouts with repetitions. For most people though, particularly women, the goal is to be stronger, but with a longer, leaner appearance. Pilates does not rely on repetition, and rather than focusing on one muscle group at a time the way a typical work-out does, it involves the whole body.
Strengthens Your Body Core
A strong center is key to balance, good posture, and gracefulness. Pilates strengthens your back and abdomen muscles, and improves your gracefulness. The awareness of your body gained through Pilates will cause you to naturally sit up straighter, carry yourself with more grace and have better balance overall.
Work Out Your Mind
Pilates is not just for your body and muscles; it also serves as a work out for your mind, similar to Yoga or Tai Chi. The movements you participate in with Pilates involve smooth and precise positioning which requires you to be more mindful of your body. You focus on your breath and how it moves through your body.
Pilates has been proven to reduce stress levels, lift people out of depression and decrease anxiety issues. The connection between the mind and body is fundamental to practicing Pilates.
Prevents Bodily Injury
A stronger body helps prevent many common injuries. Because Pilates focuses on strengthening the entire body and not just specific muscle groups, your body is more balanced and strength as a whole. There is less risk for under developed muscles in certain areas of the body that aren’t worked out as often as the rest of your body in a traditional work out, and therefore the risk for injury decreases. The body becomes more fluid in it’s movements.
Additional Benefits of Pilates Include:
• Increased range of motion by joints
• Increased coordination
• Back pain relief
• Improved mobility and stamina
• Improved flexibility
• Improved body appearance
• Overall health conditions improve
