We don’t know about you, but we have been hearing about Pilates for the longest time now and we are curious to know what the hype is all about!
Together we are going to dive deep into what Pilates is, what it does to the body, and whether it is an effective workout or not!
Let’s hear from the Pilates Foundation on the history of this workout!
Pilates was developed in the 1920s by husband and wife, Joseph and Clara Pilates. Joseph, unfortunately, grew up in ill condition, having suffered from asthma and rickets. So, he was aware of how tough it is to have lower mobility issues!
Fun fact: He was an orderly for the injured during the first world war and he used to attach bed springs to the hospital beds to help support those who could not walk, this was the birth of the ‘Cadillac’!
He and his wife moved to New York where the Pilates movement grew!
The main principles that Joseph established with this workout are
- Whole-body health
- Whole-body commitment
This translates to:
- Breath: Moving with the breath to enhance lung capacity, coordination, and creating a stronger connection to the mind and body.
- Concentration: Bringing attention to the form and execution of each exercise.
- Centering: Bringing focus to the center of the body.
- Control: Engaging the mind to unite with the body to economize movement.
- Precision: Applying the “less is more” and “quality over quantity” mindset.
- Flow: Applying fluidity, grace, and ease to all exercises.
Mmhh…so Pilates is all about keeping your core strength to maintain balance and using breathwork to ease through the workout? Sounds like a relaxing spa on steroids!
Now that our little history lesson is over, let’s see if this workout is effective for our mind, body, and soul!
What can Pilates do for the body?
It can…
- Improve posture, health, and fitness
- Brings awareness to the body
- Cultivates trust in oneself
- Feeling good internally and externally (right up our alley!)
Oooh…sounds good to us!
It may benefit people with Parkinson’s Disease! Studies have found that Pilates may improve motor functions like gait, balance, fall risk, and physical function. It may also improve cognitive function, sleep disorders, and overall quality of life for those with PD.
Pilates has also shown that it may improve pain (if one suffers from an injury or medical condition) and physical activity!
It may be possible to help CNLBP (Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain) patients as a therapeutic treatment option.
More research has shown that it may improve upper and lower limb strength, lower limb flexibility, lumbopelvic stability, aerobic endurance, and body mass index!
If you want to improve your fitness health and potentially lower your risk of cardiovascular issues, then Pilates may be for you! Studies have shown that cardiorespiratory fitness is important when it comes to fitness and health because CRF is significant to the body’s ability to circulate oxygen during physical activity! And oxygen and breathwork are key when doing Pilates, it ain’t no piece of cake!
From doing Pilates or any physical activity, we are generally strengthening CRF!
If there is one thing we are, it is intrigued! Through numerous research and studies, we can conclude that Pilates may be an effective workout for some! We will definitely give it a try! If you have tried Pilates or are an expert, let us know on Insta @vitaminfriends!
