Nowadays all sports stars and celebrities are pilates addicts. They attend classes daily to keep their bodies fit and have a fantastic, toned body. Pilates is a form of low impact exercise that supports and strengthens your muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. It was developed by German-born Joseph Pilates. However, his method was also influenced by Western types of exercise, including boxing, gymnastics, and Greco-Roman wrestling. There are five Pilates principles: Breath, Concentration, Centering, Control, Precision and Flow.
Regardless of your fitness background, Pilates can help you improve your health and strengthen your body to a great extent. Not only will you get a good workout of your core, but you will also increase your energy level and stay active throughout the day. You will significantly improve your posture.
Pilates has now become a universal movement. More than 12 million people practice Pilates worldwide. Due to its popularity, the number of Pilates students is increasing more and more.
Before you start practicing Pilates, you need to know a few things:-.
Types Pilates
There are two types of Pilates. The first type is based on a mat, while the second type used a machine known as a reformer or other machines. Regardless of the type you choose, you will benefit from Pilates exercises. It just depends on whether you prefer to lie on a mat and do something or use a machine. Make sure you ask the Pilates instructor about this before you sign up with them.
Trains multiple muscle groups
The best thing about Pilates is that it is a full body workout, which means that it is not limited to a specific part of the body. Instead, Pilates provides benefits to all parts of the body, whether it’s the abs, back, thighs, hips or any other body part. Pilates can also be quite difficult. And most likely you will have sore muscles the next day. However, this is usually only the case at the beginning. As you continue to do Pilates, your body adapts to the exercises.
Figure-hugging clothes
Some people make the mistake of opting for free-lying clothes. Avoid this mistake at all costs. Instead, make sure you wear clothes that fit your body perfectly. In this way, the Pilates instructor can observe your body movements, identify errors and correct them. You can do Pilates either barefoot or with socks. If you choose to wear socks, use brands that have elastic at the bottom. This way you will not slip on the machine or mat.
Calorie burning
With cardio exercises, your body stops burning extra calories as soon as you stop exercising. With Pilates, it’s a different story. As soon as you complete a Pilates workout, your body begins to burn calories and continues to process the exercise stimulus for hours afterward. And the body burns extra calories all day. Since the essence of Pilates is essentially strength training, you can build muscle to a small degree while working out.
Take breaks
Your Pilates class may offer workouts every day. However, you should not do Pilates every day. Normally, the body needs a day or two to recover from the intense Pilates it has done. For this reason, it is better to schedule your Pilates workout at least every other day. Without adequate rest, your body will not develop optimally. It also doesn’t help the body build muscle properly. Also, it’s better to consider Pilates as part of your overall fitness plan rather than relying on it alone.