3
min read
Pilates Is For Every Body
By Sarah DiNatale, Fitness Services Pilates Member
Exercise programs come and go, but Pilates has endured since the early 20th century and continues to thrive. The exercises can be adapted to provide gentle strength training for rehabilitation or a strenuous workout that will challenge the most seasoned athletes. Men, women, young, old, strong, injured, pre and postpartum, anyone can reap the many benefits of a consistent pilates practice.
In addition to getting you a flatter stomach, pilates is a good choice if you’d like to:
- Improve your balance and stability
- Increase your flexibility
- Increase range of motion in your joints (hips, knees and shoulders)
- Create a better posture
- Prevent injuries
- Decrease pain and stiffness
- Improve performance in your other activities - in and outside of the gym.
Pilates is safe, challenging, and easily adapted to the practitioners and it is true education on your own body's musculoskeletal system. With over 600 muscles in the body it can be daunting to think about finding them, let alone strengthen them. Pilates will help you figure out how to access the very important deep core muscles that are necessary to a healthy back that will last a lifetime.
Still not sure if you should give it a try? Below are some common questions from people first starting out.
I have an injury - arthritis - bad back - knee replacement etc….
Bring it! We love helping with injuries and find it is especially useful after someone is done with physical therapy and wants to move forward safely. It is a low impact exercise that can aid with treating and managing pain because it takes the stress off joints and bones.
“I don’t have time to do add something else to my routine”
If you don’t have a lot of time, Pilates is definitely for you. When done correctly you will work your entire body with each and every movement originating from your core or the abdominal “powerhouse”. In a one hour class you can also expect to work your arms, shoulders, legs, buttocks and back. whole body….one hour...done
I’m a conditioned athlete - why do I need Pilates?
Nobody is completely balanced and this is especially true in people who do sports. The repetitive movements that make a great athlete can also cause overuse injuries, compressed joints and stronger or tighter side. Pilates helps build muscular symmetry and increase flexibility to prevent injuries and improve your game. Let us help you stretch your tight side while strengthening your weak one - at the same time!
You can try out a Pilates class today.
