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Strength of Pilates

by Havard Delcao

Pilates is a workout routine that can get your body in shape - tone and muscle, with very little effort. Pilates are ideal for people who have very little time but really want to have a good looking and toned body. All that you require is to follow an exercise and workout routine for half an hour a day, thrice in a week. Many celebrities vouch for Pilates, even if the claim of the exercise program may seem overblown and slightly exaggerated. Despite all the controversy surrounding Pilates, it is an effective workout routine.

Pilates was originally conceived as a method for helping dancers strengthen their muscles for strenuous performances. Those practicing Pilates will increase their flexibility and, with regular use, lengthen muscles and get a leaner appearance. Once you have done Pilates regularly you'll wonder why you bothered huffing and puffing through all those awful situps at the gym. Pilates is fun and brings much better results. How does Pilates work? The exercises combine balance with strength and flexibility, and you can work up to each level on your own. Similar to yoga in the requirement for balance, Pilates also involves many stretches, reaches, and resistance against your own weight. Leg lifts and arm circles may look easy, but once you do them you'll be sweating. Pilates exercises are amazing because most of them, while they work different parts of your body, manage to also strengthen and tone your midsection, lower back muscles, and entire abdomen. Unlike doing just situps or abdominal crunches, Pilates works all the muscles around and in your abdomen.

DVDs and videos of Pilates are easily available in the market, making it easier to do these exercises in the privacy of your home at your own convenience. Different instructional forms vary your exercise routine to avoid monotony. Professional trainers at most gyms also teach Pilates.

It's common to find, when starting to practice Pilates, that the exercises seem very difficult. This is because you'll be working muscles that don't normally get exercised. You'll feel sore or weak in places, and it's
common to see some muscle groups actually shake, even if you are generally in shape. Strive to do Pilates at least twice a week depending on the rest of your exercise program.

After a few sessions, you will feel your muscles get stronger you will feel fitter and as your bodys endurance improves you will find that most of your muscle and joint problems have reduced. So insist on doing Pilates at least twice a week and you will see results.  

The Author:   Havard Delcao is the web designer of ALLIE Pilates which is the premier resource for pilates information. For more information go to :