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If you have been considering starting pilates then it’s important to know what to expect, including the short term effects that you are likely to experience, and who these effects can really benefit. Knowing these short term effects could just be the deciding factor for you to get started!
What Is Pilates?
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Before we delve into the short-term effects of pilates, it’s important to understand what pilates is.
Pilates is a form of exercise that aims to strengthen the body in an equal way, with particular emphasis on core strength to improve general fitness and wellbeing.
According to Pilates.com, it was originally intended to be a rehabilitative exercise but due to its ab-focus, it has become increasingly popular over the years for celebrities such as Miley Cyrus or Jennifer Anniston.
Who Benefits From Pilates?
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Pilates is suitable for all ages and levels of ability and fitness, especially for those recovering from injuries. However, we advise seeking medical advice prior to starting your pilates journey if you fall into one of the following categories:
people who have recently had surgery
pregnant women
people aged 40 years or more
people with a pre-existing medical condition such as heart disease
people with pre-existing musculoskeletal injuries or disorders
anyone who has not exercised for a long time
people who are very overweight or obese.
The Short Term Effects
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It Increases Energy
By focusing on breathwork, Pilates improves cardiorespiratory capacity. This stimulates feel-good hormones, oxygen flow, and blood circulation.
Pilates achieves all of this and, due to its low impact nature, rarely leaves you feeling fatigued. Instead, it leaves you with a boost of energy to continue your day.
It Develops And Increases Core Strength
Pilates is famously known for its emphasis on the core — the centre of the body from which all movement stems. Developing and increasing core strength is vital, especially for some of the longer-term effects of partaking in pilates as it supports all of the surrounding muscles that when strengthened and pliable, support and stabilize the body.
Improving core strength and function is a key factor in decreasing back and hip pain, and
decreasing pelvic floor dysfunction.
It Improves Sleep
Studies suggest that Pilates can lead to better sleep and help those suffering from insomnia, especially in people under the age of 40. One study found that postpartum women benefit from better sleep when adding Pilates into their weekly routine.
It Enhances Body Awareness
Pilates is a mind-body practice that enhances proprioception or body awareness. The attention inward and ability to focus on the sensations in your body heightens your awareness of comfort or pain, your emotions, and your surrounding environment.
With enhanced proprioception, the body is better able to respond to stimuli, preventing injuries and falls.
Better body awareness may even help you prevent overeating. You’ll be more in tune with your body’s hunger signals which can further aid in any weight-loss journey by developing better habits.
It Boosts Your Mood
Exercise of any sort offers a rush of endorphins. But studies that specifically explored the mood-boosting benefits of pilates have found that subjects experienced a reduction in anxiety, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, and a release of negative thought patterns as well as your typical rush of endorphins that comes with any type of workout.
It Will Tone And Work Your Entire Body
Many forms of modern exercise work on developing specific body areas while disregarding others, whereas pilates trains the body as an integrated whole, and workouts promote balanced muscle development. Pilates is virtually unmatched concerning total body toning and conditioning and increasing flexibility and range of motion for the joints. While pilates may not have quite the same effect as interval training or a 10km run, it does include a dose of cardiovascular exercise and will be sure to rev up your heart rate.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! If you have been considering starting pilates, you now know what to expect, including the short-term effects you are likely to experience and who these effects can benefit. There is no excuse not to sign up for your local class now, or even just get started at home!