Do you know about the workout that promises both physical and mental well-being? No wonder Pilates is buzzing around social media and among celebrities. If you’re a beginner looking to enter the world of Pilates workouts, this guide has everything you need to know, for beginners and gym rats alike.
Pilates, an exercise method developed by Joseph Pilates, attempts to strengthen the core, increase flexibility, and improve general physical and mental well-being. Pilates is practised on special equipment (a carriage or mat) that’s designed to target deep muscles in the abdomen, back, and pelvis. It helps promote breathing and concentration and build coordination and alignment.
Benefits of Pilates workout
Improves mobility and flexibility
Flexibility is the amount of passive stretch in a muscle. Mobility is the range of motion at a joint. While good mobility needs flexibility, it takes strength as well. Mobility is something to go after. Flexibility might enable you to a bound deep in a stretch, but it is not functional flexibility. Pilates exercise continues to move rapidly, with fluid transitions between precise, slow, and monitored actions. Most Pilates moves are integration exercises rather than mere stretchings. Moreover, exercises that enable you to strengthen, stretch, and carefully control your body, increasing your muscles while increasing flexibility.
Promotes core stability
Boosts mental health
Pilates has several mental health benefits that can be achieved by developing focus and concentration. Pilates acts on anxiety and depression by prompting relaxation and facilitating the production of endorphins through creating awareness of movement and breath. Also, as you become more fit, your posture, mobility, and strength increase, making you more self-assured, which has a positive influence on your mind.
Improves quality of life
Pilates has the potential to enhance your life tremendously. You can be more flexible, stronger and more body-conscious. Pilates also eases back pain while enhancing joint mobility, balance or coordination. They also teach one how one is supposed to breathe to reduce anxiety levels thereby enhancing awareness for enhanced mental health. Consequently, it becomes possible for increased physical vitality and superior sleep quality as well as self-confidence that is much stronger towards leading an improved life standard.
Increased energy and vitality
Pilates is a great way to uplift your mood and revitalize your body to feel refreshed. It helps promote circulation, oxygenation, and lymphatic drainage to recharge your mind and body which provides a natural energy boost that lasts for hours.
Helpful tips for beginners starting Pilates workout
Here are some beginners-friendly tips for a Pilates workout:
Qualified instructor
Pilates focuses on precise body movements and hiring a qualified instructor who can guide you through the workout can help you achieve your desired results.
Start with basics, then gradually up your level
Start with beginner-level classes to learn the basics. Pilates involves specific techniques and principles that are best grasped from the outset.
Focus on proper form and breathing
Pilates involves precise body movements and coordinated breathing patterns to engage the correct muscles, thus it is important to be fully present and focused.
Read our story on the difference between fat loss and weight loss
Listen to your body
Pilates can be intense, especially for beginners. Listen to your body and start from the basics, then gradually up your level as your strength and flexibility improve.
Consistency is key
Like any fitness routine, consistency is key if you want to achieve the desired results. Aim for consistency to build strength and improve flexibility.
Stay mindful and present
Pilates is both physical and mental exercise. Staying present during your sessions, and focusing on each body movement, and breath is essential for this particular workout.
If you want to build strength, improve flexibility, or just work on your physical and mental health, Pilates has something for everyone. Embrace the journey into the world of Pilates, and discover its transformative effects on your body and mind.
Hero Image: Courtesy Alex Shaw/Unsplash; Featured Image: Courtesy Elena Kloppenburg/Unsplash
Also read: Yasmin Karachiwala on her fitness journey, busting myths about Pilates and more
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What is the Pilates workout?
Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on strengthening muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. It emphasises core strength but it targets other areas of the body through controlled movements. Pilates workouts typically involve exercises performed on a mat or using specialized equipment like a reformer.
– Is Pilates a good way to lose weight?
While Pilates can contribute to weight loss indirectly by building muscle and improving overall fitness, it’s not primarily designed as a weight loss workout. Pilates can help increase muscle tone, which can boost metabolism and potentially aid in weight management. However, for significant weight loss, it’s generally recommended to combine Pilates with cardiovascular exercises and a balanced diet.
– Is 20 minutes of Pilates a day enough?
Twenty minutes of Pilates a day can be a beneficial addition to your fitness routine, especially for beginners or those with time constraints. Consistency is key, so even shorter sessions can yield results over time. However, the effectiveness of a 20-minute Pilates workout depends on various factors, including intensity, exercise selection, and individual fitness goals. Longer sessions or combining Pilates with other forms of exercise may be necessary for more significant fitness gains.
– Is yoga better than Pilates?
The choice between yoga and Pilates often depends on individual preferences, fitness goals, and physical abilities. Both forms of exercise offer numerous benefits, including improved flexibility, strength, and stress relief. Yoga tends to focus more on flexibility, balance, and meditation, while Pilates emphasises core strength, stability, and controlled movement. Some people may find one practice more enjoyable or suitable for their needs than the other, so it’s essential to explore both and see which resonates best with you.
Tags
Written by
Anushka likes to write about fashion, beauty, and other nice things. When not bound to her keyboard, she likes to make her Pinterest boards come to life.
