Why Pilates is for everyone
It’s not often you come across a form of exercise that is suitable for all ages, genders and fitness levels, but thanks to its adaptability, Pilates is suitable for almost everyone.
The origin of Pilates
Back in the 1920s, German physical trainer, Joseph Pilates, started using low-impact exercises to improve his strength. He named it ‘Contrology’ as he would focus his mind in order to control his core postural muscles, keeping the body balanced and providing support and control for his spine.
Initially an exercise used for rehabilitation purposes, it wasn’t until Joseph moved to New York and opened Body Conditioning Gym that his training piqued the interest of ballerinas and gymnasts who were looking to improve their flexibility and strength.
The exercise went on to gain popularity in the 1990s and was practiced by celebrities such as Madonna. Since then it’s popularity has grown and grown and more than 12 million people in the UK now enjoy the benefits of it. Throughout the pandemic in 2021, it became the top wellness and fitness trend.
So, what makes it suitable for all?
Adaptability
Unlike a lot of other exercises, Pilates movements can be modified, intensified or toned down based on the needs of the person doing them. This means someone who is a total beginner, someone who is injured or even a Pilates pro can perform Pilates moves and receive the same benefits, even if the way they do the moves is ever so slightly different.
Effectiveness
Pilates is gentle on the joints, making it great for older people or anyone recovering from an injury. The movements are controlled and deliberate rather than high-impact, so it’s an effective way to build strength and flexibility. Anyone of any age can do Pilates as it is a safe way to exercise without putting extra stress and strain on your body.
Builds the foundation for movement
Our core is the foundation of all of our movement – having a good core is great for improving posture, balance and helps reduce the risk of injury and, guess what, Pilates is an excellent way to strengthen the core.
Our core is the central part of our body and is made up of the pelvis, lower back, hips and stomach. Core exercises train the muscles in your core to work in harmony, leading to better balance and stability.
Connects the mind and body
Pilates isn’t just about moving, it’s about connecting your mind and body. It’s a great way to encourage mindfulness, and we know this is important for people of all ages and genders. Teaching you to tune into your body and focus on your breathing with each movement, it’s a great way to reduce stress and promotes mental well-being alongside physical activity.
Something for all stages of life
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teenager or young adult developing your strength, a middle-aged person working on stress relief and flexibility or an older adult wanting to maintain mobility and independence, Pilates is able to grow and develop with you.
Why not try Pilates for yourself?
If you fancy reaping the benefits of Pilates, why not sign up to one of my classes?
I offer different levels of exercises so you can choose whichever is best for you and I can assist you with this.
If you were to book a one to one session with me, it would be totally bespoke to you and your goals or reasons for choosing Pilates. Small props such as balls and resistance bands may be used to enhance or progress elements of your programme.
I have personally benefited from Pilates both before and after spinal surgery and have never looked back! It really helped with my recovery and now I use it to complement my running training.
If you’re interested in giving it a try, take a look at the classes I have available in Weston-super-Mare here https://ehsportstherapy.com/services/pilates/).
