The Benefits and Challenges of Pilates

People of all sporting disciplines and various walks of life are hearing about the benefits of Pilates. You likely hear about football and tennis players and other athletes incorporating Pilates into their regular workout routines just as much as regular people who just want to be physically fit. Many people now are touting the improvements they have seen in their own bodies after a regiment of Pilates exercises. Better circulation, flexibility, abdominal muscle strength, wider range of motion and better posture are all things reported which have helped ease pain in the joints, back and neck.

Thanks to many high profile people such as celebrities and athletes adopting Pilates as part of their exercise regime, it has become quite popular with many health clubs and fitness centers offering classes. Pilates is a safe, slow and patient way to better health, fitness and overall body connection. There is relatively little impact in Pilates which makes it great for people of limited mobility and health as well as limited physical abilities.

What Pilates does not do is promise weight loss, although it is an added benefit. It takes time for you to lose weight and usually requires eating fewer calories while at the same time engaging in activities that burns more calories than you consume. Pilates is not going to make you “feel the burn” so you will have to pair it with cardio and weight training to lose weight. What Pilates will do for you in your quest for weight loss is create a more supple and stronger body that is capable of weight loss with other methods as well as condition your body overall. It also offers these other benefits in general:

* Balance, core muscle strength and greater flexibility are three core benefits of Pilates that can carry into daily activities.
* Pilates creates great muscle tone and elongated, lean musculature without creating bulkiness.
* Your core abdominal muscles get quite a workout and are constantly challenged in Pilates with result being a stronger back and better posture.
* Body awareness and mental focus sharpens with Pilates and your mind is engaged on working your entire body.
* Pilates forces you to slow down in your workout which means you more likely to reduce stress and tension in the body while boosting your energy.
* With the slow, controlled movements of Pilates, you are far less likely to injure yourself, unlike other fitness regiments that incorporate higher impact activities.
* If you have strained muscles or are recovering from injury, Pilates is great for promoting injury recovery because of the slow, controlled movements and deep stretching involved.
* Your spine becomes stronger which parlays into better posture and less back pain.
* Circulation in the body improves with Pilates along with your stamina and overall agility.
* Because your body feels good with Pilates, this positive aspect of your health will bring positive changes in your outlook on life.
* Pilates is also a great complement to any other fitness regiment or sports training program.