Pilates: Your path to total body fitness

Fitness doesn’t come neatly wrapped up in one all-inclusive exercise.  For total or whole body fitness, there needs to be a blend of various forms of exercise from strength training, aerobic, and flexibility.  That is why Pilates is such a good workout for anyone who wants to expand their exercise routine into an area besides the usual running, swimming, or bicycling.  One that really develops what every one of us needs for total body fitness – strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, coordination, balance, and good posture. 

Pilates is your answer.  Similar to yoga, Pilates emphasizes your body’s core with a much lower risk of injury than other forms of exercise. Use other forms of physical activity to “go for the burn.”   Pilates instead places emphasis on concentration and disciplining correct form through many variations and progressions requiring you to engage virtually your whole body.  In some movements you might be strengthening one muscle while stretching another.  Pilates never gets redundant and always keeps your challenged. 

Pilates is named after Joseph Pilates, a gymnast who developed and invented Pilates for dancers who were injured.  Many of the moves of Pilates were either inspired by yoga or movements of zoo animals such as swans, seals, and big cats.

If Pilates is new to you, here are some reasons why you should definitely consider it to gain whole body fitness:

·      It focuses on core strength by training the body as an integrated whole. 

·      It does not over-develop some parts of the body while neglecting others.

·      It promotes strength and balanced muscle development as well as flexibility and increased range of motion for joints.

·      It is adaptable to many fitness levels by tailoring Pilates workouts to individual needs. 

·      Pilates creates strength without building bulk.  If you like the look of long, lean muscles, Pilates is for you. 

·      Pilates focuses on flexibility to help your body bend and stretch in every direction with ease.

·      It’s one of the best movements for developing core strength.  Our core muscles are the deep muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvic floor.  We rely on these muscles to support a strong back, good posture and efficient movement patterns. 

·      It will improve posture.  Good posture is a reflection of good alignment supported by a strong core. 

·      Pilates helps increase energy by getting circulation moving, stimulating the spine and muscles, and flooding the body with endorphins making us feel good. 

·      Pilates can change how your body looks.  Well-known for creating long, strong muscles and a leaner look, Pilates also improves muscle tone, balances musculature, supports posture, and aids you in moving more gracefully and with ease.  It essentially makes you look and feel extremely fit.

·      When combined with aerobic exercise, Pilates can help burn more calories making it an invaluable weight loss and body toning tool.

·      When performing Pilates, it forces us to pay attention to our movements. Joseph Pilates referred to his namesake exercise as “the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.”  Pilates integrates control, concentration, precision, breath, and flow – all key concepts bringing together both the body and  mind. 

To learn more and to get started practicing Pilates, visit http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Pilates+for+beginners&view=detail&mid=EE28DFACF8DF536BF6E9EE28DFACF8DF536BF6E9&FORM=VIRE