Pilates method. Objectives, benefits, recommendations and how does it work.

The pilates method was developed in the XXth Century, but it has antecedents from yoga (practiced in India for more than 4,000 years) and tai chi chuan (practiced in China for more than 2,000 years). Meaning a method that combines ancestral wisdom and modern knowledge.

The objectives

If regularly performed, this activity can provide many benefits which we will talk about later.

The objective of this exercise is to work with different muscles and internal organs, in order to give them tone and strengthen the whole body, at the same time that breathing, concentration and posture improves.

How to breath correctly during Pilates

The benefits

The good news are, that pilates is for almost any person and for every stage of life, and because the exercises don't force the body too much, it is possible for people at any level of fitness or physical form.

There's no doubt you can enhance your health with pilates. The exercises are well designed and effective for the whole body. Here are some of the benefits.

1) You gain muscle tone and strengthen your connective tissues like joints and ligaments.

2) You can achieve a more slender and stylish figure.

3) You can become fit or maintain your fitness.

4) You will reduce your stress.

5) You can combat fatigue.

6) It helps to reinforce your personal trust.

7) You gain flexibility and coordination.

8) You don't need much time to perform it.

9) You can even decide to exercise in your own house, outdoors or at a certain facility.

10) You gain control of your body and your mind.

11) Your posture gets better.

12) The breathing technique gives life to your body because it increases the oxygen intake.

13) You may improve your digestion.

14) It helps to improve your blood circulation.

15) It may help your skin to improve as well.

16) Reinforces your inmunological system.

Recommendations and how does it work

When the method started, it had 34 movements but with the passing years, variations have been added, though respecting the original movements.

p>+ It is not necessary to invest many hours daily to gain all the benefits. If you practice 2 or 3 times per week, you can start with 10 minutes and raise the amount of time gradually up to one hour. If you complement this activity with a cardiovascular exercise, you can even improve your resistance.

+ If you decide for sessions of 15 minutes, try at least to make them 4 times/ week.

+ If you are sick or you have an injury, ask your physician or an expert trainer if you can practice the activity or certain exercises only. Sometimes a specific movement can be modified in order to avoid harm.

+ Wear comfortable clothes and is better if this clothes help you to observe your muscles while you exercise.

+ Insist on the quality of the movements and not just the amount of repetitions.

+ Never work out without warming your muscles first.

+ Pilates can be performed during pregnancy but just after having consulted with your physician and under the supervision of qualified instructor.

+ Some exercises may worsen some symptoms of menstruation, so if you have any questions, best avoid until that period has passed, same thing happens if you had a recent mild illness such as colds or flu. Wait until the sypmtoms have disappeared.

+ Drink enough water during the day and avoid dehydration during the activity (it can be identified with the appearance of nausea, headache or fatigue). Water can help to eliminate the toxins.

+ If you perform some exercises and don't feel much the effects at the moment, don't get dissapointed, you may feel them later. Don't force yourself.

+ Take your time on each exercise.

+ When you finish the pilates session, don't stop your body right away, be active for some minutes to help your systems go back to the normal rhythm.

I introduced the activity for you, but keep track, because we continuously add to this page.

How to perform this activity using a fitball


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