Refreshing mind/body workout
With an emphasis on proper breathing, spinal and pelvic alignment, and concentration on flowing movement, participants develop body awareness and increase movement control. In Pilates, quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
Build long, lean muscles
Conventional workouts tend to build shorter muscles with more bulk and increase the possibility of injury. Pilates practice helps elongate and strengthen muscles, which improves muscle elasticity and joint mobility.
Create a stronger, more flexible spine to offer relief from back pain and joint stress
Pilates exercises focus on developing a strong core at the center of the body, which Joseph Pilates called the “powerhouse.” The powerhouse consists of the deep abdominal muscles, as well as the muscles closest to the spine. The powerhouse is strengthened by integrating the trunk, pelvis and shoulder girdle in the series of abdominal exercises. By building strength and connection of this musculature, undue pressure is released from the back.
Correct overtraining of muscle groups which can lead to stress and injury.
A major cause of injury and chronic back pain in traditional workouts is muscular imbalance, which makes weak muscles weaker and strong muscles stronger. Pilates conditions the entire body from head to toe with no over or under training. Balanced bodies allow for greater ease in daily functioning and sports performance with a decreased risk of injury.
Enhance sports training through more efficient patterns of motion
With the development of proper techniques in Pilates exercises, multiple muscle groups are trained at once in continuous movements. With a focus on precise technique, bodies can be re-trained in more efficient patterns of motion, which aids in injury recovery and sports performance.
Feel safe and challenged
Pilates mat work is both gentle and challenging to your body. Most of the matwork is performed in a supine (reclined) or seated position, which allows participants to have a low-impact workout that can be intensified or modified according to each participant’s needs. Pilates is often used in rehabilitative exercises and is beneficial for older adults to increase joint mobility, bone density, range of motion, and muscle strength.