When you've had a hard day at work and the gym seems like a
chore, there's one activity which will make you feel relaxed, elated and in
seriously fit shape. And it's not what you think, you filthy lot. Pilates isn'tjust a celebrity fad. It really works.
1. Say goodbye to stress
Pilates, and Dynamic Reformer Pilates (with machines as opposed to a mat), has
grown in popularity for a number of reasons. Luke Meessmann at TenPilates says:
'You feel – and see – results quickly, which provides great motivation to keep
coming. The classes are intense – it’s a full body workout. Not only can you
feel the exercises working, but you feel great afterwards... It’s also time-efficient – you can be in, worked out and
out again in just over an hour. And last, but not least, it’s a great
stress-buster. Whether first thing in the morning or after a long day at work,
Pilates provides a great escape in a fun, small group environment.'
2. Arms like an A-lister
Celebrities consistently credit Pilates as the reason for their toned muscles.
Given that the stars often have to plan their days down to the last minute,
Pilates fits easily into their day. And not only is it a hugely efficient
full-body workout, it has many additional benefits, too. It builds longer,
leaner muscles, improves core strength, flexibility and balance, and corrects
posture - making you stand taller and look slimmer.
3. Exercise without the fuss
When going to the gym fills you with dread and you keep putting it off, Pilates
lets you tailor your workouts and even complete sessions at home. The ideal way
to keep up with your training is to have an instructor design a bespoke
programme of exercises for you to keep up with in between your sessions in the
studio, and plan a review session every so often to make sure your technique is
still sound and you are getting the most out of your training. Check you're
performing the moves correctly and in time you'll be amazed by the results.
4. It can help you stay in shape
'A good intense dynamic reformer workout will see you burn many more calories
than a typical beginners mat class,' says Luke. 'The best way to ensure you
lose weight effectively and in the time frame you want is to couple your reformer
workout with cardiovascular exercise.'
5. It’s good for your posture
Pilates programmes are praised by everyone from athletes to office workers for
their ability to develop strength and correct posture in the key areas of the
hips/lower back, upper back and neck – basically counteracting the effects of
slouching. Any given class will focus on the areas that people need to
work on, namely releasing the typically overactive areas of the chest, upper
shoulders, thoracic spine (upper back) and hip flexor muscles as well as
activating and strengthening the gluteals, abdominals and shoulder stabilisers.
We activate these muscles in isolation and then progressively work them in more
compound and dynamic functional movements (movements that you are likely to
perform during your daily life).
All of this significantly improves dynamic stability – the ability of the body
to hold itself in better alignment for longer, maintaining upright posture,
stability and responsiveness.
6. You can even try it when pregnant
Pregnancy and childbirth are times of significant change for the body. But some
women don't want to give up their exercise routine as soon as they see those
little blue lines. Mums-to-be who regularly exercise their core muscles can
expect to experience shorter labours and reduced lower back and pelvic pain.
'Attending classes throughout pregnancy also significantly helps and speeds up
the process of getting your body back in shape after childbirth,' says Luke.
'It’s widely understood that the right kind of exercise, taken in the right
way, boosts the immune system and circulation, and helps provide the energy
levels needed to enjoy your pregnancy more fully and prepare better for labour.
However, as with any type of exercise, always check with your doctor first, and
remember to tell your trainer that you are pregnant before commencing class.'
7. A life free from back pain.
Pilates was initially developed as a rehabilitative tool. Joseph Pilates was a
German gymnast, born in 1883, who dedicated his life to teaching his exercising
techniques, believing that poor posture goes hand-in-hand with poor health. He
believed that by having awareness of breath and of alignment of the spine, we could
strengthen the deep torso and abdominal muscles, and reduce stress.
More
Information
To read the full
article click
here.
Further
Questions?
If you have
further questions, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional.
Use Whitecoat.com.au to easily find an
appropriate healthcare provider near you.
Sourced from
Marie Claire
12 Apr 2016
Subscribe to our mailing list to recieve regular e-mails from the Whitecoat team.
by Whitecoat