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Essentials Of Pilates
By:
Published: August 24, 2006
Pilates is one of the many fitness crazes to sweep mainstream culture. It is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. A cross between yoga, stretching, core training and calisthenics, it involves exercises designed to target abdominal, back and leg muscles, resulting in a stronger and more flexible body.
In Pilates, body weight is utilized as resistance training, which requires participants to slowly go through a series of exercises to stretch and strengthen core muscles. The exercises also require intent focus on breathing properly while completing precise body movements. Many of the exercises used in Pilates require the torso to be held in place while moving the limbs in different directions. These exercises are designed to challenge balance, core strength, stability and flexibility. Pilates also is a mind-body exercise, requiring participants to concentrate while completing the movements.
Most exercises used in Pilates can be performed either sitting or lying on the floor. The exercises can also be performed with special equipments, a mat or both. The equipment consists of boards, pulleys, springs or straps rigged to support feet and hands. The main piece of equipment used in Pilates is called the Reformer. The Reformer looks like a rowing machine, gliding back and forth on rollers and using springs for resistance. Stability balls also have gained popularity in being used while performing these exercises. Other kinds of equipment include blocks or resistance bands.
Pilates provides many benefits. Some of these benefits include better posture, increase in balance and flexibility, longer leaner muscles, better range of motion and stronger, better conditioned muscles. Pilates offers relief from back pain, sports injuries and other chronic health problems. It reduces stress, physical and mental tension, and creates a greater sense of body awareness. It generally takes about 6 to 8 weeks for results to become evident. Pilates should be practiced 2 to 3 times a week in order to derive most of these benefits.
There are many ways to practice Pilates. Often gyms will offer classes and there are now many Pilates studios available. There also are a number of instructional books and videos. However, many experts agree participants should take a least one class in order to learn the proper technique for the movements. Once regularly practicing, participants will soon realize Pilates is a great way to achieve total body fitness.
In Pilates, body weight is utilized as resistance training, which requires participants to slowly go through a series of exercises to stretch and strengthen core muscles. The exercises also require intent focus on breathing properly while completing precise body movements. Many of the exercises used in Pilates require the torso to be held in place while moving the limbs in different directions. These exercises are designed to challenge balance, core strength, stability and flexibility. Pilates also is a mind-body exercise, requiring participants to concentrate while completing the movements.
Most exercises used in Pilates can be performed either sitting or lying on the floor. The exercises can also be performed with special equipments, a mat or both. The equipment consists of boards, pulleys, springs or straps rigged to support feet and hands. The main piece of equipment used in Pilates is called the Reformer. The Reformer looks like a rowing machine, gliding back and forth on rollers and using springs for resistance. Stability balls also have gained popularity in being used while performing these exercises. Other kinds of equipment include blocks or resistance bands.
Pilates provides many benefits. Some of these benefits include better posture, increase in balance and flexibility, longer leaner muscles, better range of motion and stronger, better conditioned muscles. Pilates offers relief from back pain, sports injuries and other chronic health problems. It reduces stress, physical and mental tension, and creates a greater sense of body awareness. It generally takes about 6 to 8 weeks for results to become evident. Pilates should be practiced 2 to 3 times a week in order to derive most of these benefits.
There are many ways to practice Pilates. Often gyms will offer classes and there are now many Pilates studios available. There also are a number of instructional books and videos. However, many experts agree participants should take a least one class in order to learn the proper technique for the movements. Once regularly practicing, participants will soon realize Pilates is a great way to achieve total body fitness.
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