A recent study found that the Pilates industry has a revenue of £834 million, with an annual growth rate of 2%. While more people are becoming interested in this form of strengthening exercise, there is a lot of information out there that questions the impact it can have on a person. Let’s look at exactly what Pilates is and does, and then determine whether it is right for you.
What is Pilates good for?
Pilates is a system of physical fitness that is focused on strengthening the body, but with a major focus on the core. Inspired by calisthenics, ballet and yoga, It aims to increase flexibility and can help people lose weight while improving posture, overall strength and balance. When done properly, it can also positively impact your body awareness and concentration. While these are all great reasons to begin this exercise, multiple studies show that it can benefit participants in another important way: pain management. For people with chronic pain in their lower back, shoulders or neck, Pilates was proven to be an effective tool to help reduce the pain.
Who should do Pilates?
While many forms of exercise do require some experience, Pilates is appropriate for beginners as the majority of it focuses on using your own body weight to strengthen your body. For those who want pain relief, improved flexibility and posture as well as effective pain management or prevention, Pilates can be a fantastic exercise that checks off all of those important categories. Beyond skill level, Pilates is also a great option for any age group. Since it focuses on low impact yet effective strategic movements, it is suitable for the elderly as well since it removes so much stress and pressure from joints and bones.
Versatile and convenient
To reach set health and fitness goals, it is advised to workout at least three times a week. While this seems like a reasonable number, so many people claim that they just don’t have the time, especially when factoring in travel. Another great aspect of Pilates is just how convenient and versatile it is, making it possible to do it just about anywhere. You can opt for classes at your local gym when in need of motivation, watch YouTube videos from home, and even do it in your hotel room while traveling. Since it primarily focuses on your own body weight, you need very little to get started!
While there is a lot of misinformation out there about Pilates, research and studies demonstrate its effectiveness. From balance, weight loss, posture and even pain management, it is a beneficial exercise to make time for in your schedule. It is also suitable for everyone, regardless of skill level, age or busyness, explaining its widespread popularity.
Guest Post by Jane Sandwood