Pilates – How Much Do You Know About It?

Have you ever listened in on a conversation between two people talking about Pilates?

It sounds like something out of a medieval horror flick! Come to think of it, a Pilate’s table does have some resemblance to a torture rack.

I’ve never done Pilates but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once, so I feel like I can talk about it with no problem. What I really did was Google the term and do a bit of research.

This is what I found. Note, this list is in no particular order of importance and is the opinion of people who actually know what Pilates is.

1.    Improves Posture: There is a lot of emphasis on aligning the body properly during each exercise. It is good exercise for the muscles of your ‘trunk’ which are responsible for posture.
2.    Good exercise for back pain: Especially good for people suffering from chronic lower back pain. Good exercise for people who have a sedentary lifestyle and weak muscle tone.
3.    Weight loss tool: A no brainer. Any exercise will help you lose weight, but a Pilates workout combined with cardio workouts and a good diet should yield results.
4.    Aids in flexibility: Particularly good exercise for the lower back and of course any exercise that stretches and flexes the body will help keep injuries to a minimum.
5.    Increases bone density: If you use resistance bands or weights while doing your Pilates routines, it should significantly help your bone density. Good stuff!
6.    Strengthens your core: The midsection is the starting point of all Pilate’s exercises and will help your abs and strengthen the muscles in your lower back.
7.    Improves blood circulation: Again, any exercise is good exercise!
8.    Aids in stability and balance of older adults: Especially important in an aging population like the one in the United States.
9.    Gives you a lean body like a dancer: Since it is an endurance workout, Pilates should definitely lean your muscles down. However, with my body type, it’s more like a sumo wrestler than a dancer!
10.     Get your flat belly back after pregnancy: Improves muscle tone and strengthens your core.
11.     Cope with menstrual pain: Practice a few days before the cycle starts. This is one subject where not even the Holiday Inn Express helps me.
12.     Makes you feel light and relaxed: Kind of like a massage at a day spa. Or in my case a 6 pack of beer!

All in all, Pilates looks like a very good form of exercise. Maybe in another life I’ll get time to try it out.