What Is Pilates? by Keith Lee

It is undeniable that many people today have prodigious interest and intensity to fitness programs, and one of the most popular fitness programs that have swept the continents by storm is Pilates.

Pilates for long years has been setting a new level of standards to the fitness industry. It is known and favored by many dieters, athletes, and body builders worldwide because of a number of benefits that the Windsor Pilates is capable of bringing. It is even very popular among many pregnant and nursing mothers as it creates wonders that are obtainable from no other techniques. Now, it is being labeled as the most excellent approach to fitness.

Pilates: The Method of Body Conditioning

Pilates was developed in the 1920s by the legendary physical trainer and founder of the Pilates Studio, Joseph H. Pilates. It has long been considered as a form of exercise system that pays much attention on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. With this purpose, it's no surprise that some of the first practitioners of Pilates were the dancers like George Balanchine and Martha Graham.

However, one should note that Pilates, the method of body conditioning, is not just about exercise. Pilates is a series of controlled movements that engage your body and mind. These controlled movements are usually done on specifically designed exercise apparatus and then supervised by extensively trained and experienced Pilates teachers.

Benefits of Pilates

In the first place, Pilates promotes physical harmony as well as balance for people of all ages. It also promotes physical conditions while providing a refreshing and energizing workout.

The body conditioning sessions of Pilates are usually done one to one with a certified Pilates teacher or in closely supervised small groups. Because of this, each session then is tailored to specific needs of every customer. Also, regardless of your current level of fitness, the Pilates, the method of body conditioning, can be really your primary mode for body conditioning and injury prevention.

Today, numerous studies have revealed that Pilates can be integrated into rehabilitative exercise, as well as physical therapy programs that are designed to speed recovery of the soft tissue injuries. This is what actually discovered by most chiropractors, orthopedists, and physical therapists.

Pilates can now even be used by pregnant women for them to learn proper breathing and body alignment. The exercises will also help them improve their concentration and recover body shape and tone after pregnancy.

The Difference of Pilates among Other Fitness Trends

What sets Pilates, the method of body conditioning, apart from the other fitness trends is the fact that Joseph Pilates developed more than 500 specific exercises using the five major pieces of unique apparatus to develop the body uniformly. Then, instead of performing a number of repetitions for every exercise, Joseph Pilates preferred fewer, but more precise movements. These precise movements involved generally require proper control and form.

Also, because Pilates requires your mind to engage with your body to perform the precise movements correctly, there is a great possibility that you will experience a new awareness of the muscle function and control.

What else? In Pilates, the powerhouse is supported and strengthened, enabling the rest of your body to move freely. Note that the term "powerhouse" refers to the abdomen, lower back, and buttocks.

Conclusion

Pilates is a revolutionary workout system with simple controlled movements. So, acquiring enough knowledge of these movements will definitely tone and tighten the entire body without having to use expensive exercise machines.

Author Resource: Keith Lee
A Motivational Speaker, a Life Coach and a Fitness Instructor for the past 10 years.
Click HERE to receive a free eBook on "Windsor Pilates".

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