Pilates is a form of about five hundred exercises that Joseph Pilates started and was inspired by calisthenics, yoga and ballet as well.  These exercises worked to improve the flexibility, strength, and the balance the body has.
Pilates is not only a great physical experience that is designed to strengthen the body and the muscles of the core, it is also a spiritual experience in breathing as well.  Good breathing will promote a better blood flow in the body.
Since the 1920’s when Joseph Pilates started the exercises to help injured athletes, dancers and later war veterans, Pilates has been adapted to help people of the average community.

Pilates is a non-aerobic form of exercises that will bring in strength to your concentration and focus.  The movements are meant to be a lower impact form and focus you on the perfection of each movement instead of how many reps you do.  It is a very low impact form of exercise and it is important that you have a pre-existing medical condition that you talk to your doctor first.

The exercises that you learn will give you better flexibility and increase your muscle strength.  You will also find that you are getting better abdominal strength, lower back strength as well as help for your hips and butt.  They are considered to be your core muscles. Plus Pilates  balances the body and the muscle strength on both sides of the body and gives you more control of the back, arms and legs.

Pilates can help you to relax and put strength in the back, shoulders and neck too.  Many of the doctors have come to find out that Pilates can help rehabilitate people with joint and spine injuries. The exercises need to be done correctly and this will help to prevent musculoskeletal problems later on.

Methods of Pilates

There are usually two forms of Pilates.  There are the mat bases ones and equipment based Pilate’s exercises.  With Pilates, the quality of exercises is the main goal.

Exercises should be performed through a slow sustained type of movement using abdominal control and the proper breathing methods.  There are many books and videos that are on the market to help the consumer but it is important to see good instruction from a qualified Pilate’s teacher to get the right results.

The mat based Pilates exercises are usually the most popular type.  This is a series of exercises that are done on the floor using gravity and your bodies own weight to make resistance.

The general goal of mat based Pilates is to condition the deeper supporting muscles of the body and to improve the posture and the balance of coordination.

Equipment based Pilates are for the more serious Pilates person. This form of Pilates will include specific equipment and some form of equipment based items.

Pilates also has free weights like dumbbells that will also offer resistance to the muscles.  The equipment can be expensive if it is not properly used it could make it hard for the body to make muscles and tone right.

It is important that the equipment is used correctly and most people who practice the equipment based Pilates do so with the right Pilate’s trainer.

Pilates is very low impact and it is important to know the general precautions before beginning Pilates.

Many people should talk to their doctor first before taking it on.  Women that are pregnant should ask their doctor first.

People that are over the age of 40 with any preexisting medical condition or muscle problems, or that are obese should speak with their doctor first.

Benefits

When you do Pilates, your mind will be turned in with your body.  You are going to be aware of everything that is around you and you will feel in control of your environment.

When you are using Pilates, you are going to be using quality movements and it is not about the amount that you do.  Having the proper breathing methods is very important and when you do it right, you are going to find it to relieve stress as well.

Get long and lean muscles with flexibility

When you are using a conventional workout, you will tend to build up muscles that are bulky and short.  With the Pilates style, you will find more elasticity as well as more joint mobility.  There will be less chance for an injury to happen as well.

Getting a Stronger core

The core or the powerhouse will consist of a deep abdominal muscle along with some of the other muscles that are closes to the spine.  Plus you will improve your stabilization of the spine, which gives greater awareness of posture and improved physical coordination and balance.

You will develop evenly and have a conditioned body

With a regular workout you will have weak muscles that only tend to get weaker and the stronger muscles will get stronger.  This will result in muscular imbalance, which is the main cause of chronic back pain from an injury.

Create efficient patterns of motion

The Pilates exercises concentration on training several muscles at one time while making smooth continuous movements.  If you develop the proper technique you can retrain your body to move safer and be more efficient in the way that you move as well.