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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.
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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. |
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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. |
