Fitness Pilates 10 Reasons to do Pilates

1. Pilates is for all ages and abilities – Whatever your age, whether you’re old or young, whether you’re unfit and don’t feel very flexible and even if you’re out of shape, Pilates will benefit you. Equally if you are very fit and athletic, your body still needs to be balanced and those tight muscles need to be stretched!
2. Anti-ageing – The slow, rhythmic movements of Pilates help to relieve stress and anxiety. The release of our ‘feel good’ hormones (endorphins) naturally promotes a sense of energised wellbeing and keeps you looking and feeling younger.
3. Improves Flexibility– Pilates stretches those muscles that are tight and tones those that are weak to help create balance within the body. This helps minimise aches, pains and injuries. A recent study* showed a 28% increase in participants’ flexibility.
4. Reduces body fat percentage – the same study* showed reductions of 7.3% in body fat, 8.5% in fat body mass and 4.6% in waist circumference when the subjects participated in Pilates regularly over an 8 week period.
5. Increases strength & stamina – *Over the same 8 week period, aerobic power (stamina) increased by 12.3%, abdominal strength increased by 9.8% and handgrip by 23%.
6. Improves core strength – Core stabilising and strengthening movements are fundamental exercises in Pilates. A good core is the foundation of a strong, pain free body as all movements emanate from your centre.
7. Low impact & joint friendly – Slow transitions from one movement to the next so the impact upon your joints is reduced makes Pilates ideal for people who are unable to participate in high impact routines.
8. Improves posture – Working at a desk all day? Slouching on the sofa? This will eventually result in a poor posture and ultimately lead to back pain. In Pilates we focus on lengthening the spine, working on posture continuously throughout the class, helping to rewire your focus and bad postural habits.
9. Improves your mind – Meditation, focus and concentration join together to help boost your mental health. Controlled breathing throughout the session enables you to get the best out of each exercise.
10. Relaxation – in a busy world full of stress, rushing around trying to look after everyone else it can be so difficult to relax and find some ‘me time’. We use soft music, candles and guided relaxation techniques at the end of every class to leave you feeling blissfully calm and relaxed but also energised and positive, ready to take on the rest of the day.

*Extracts from Sports Physiology – The effects of Pilates exercise on selective physical fitness components in sedentary overweight females – BMJ Journals, the British Journal of Sports Medicine vol 44 issue suppl 1.