Pilates Is Not A Trend!

Pilates.

You probably heard of the word or fitness trend on social media, but you don’t have a clue what it really is. Is it a form of cardio? Is it a form of strength training? Is it like yoga? Is it only for women?

So many questions and not many answers.

Well, I am here to help.

What is pilates?

Pilates is a type of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. Its intended purpose was to alleviate bad health like bad back problems. Pilates was also intended to strengthen the mind and the body. Joseph believed mental health and physical health were interrelated.

Pilates was designed to help speed up the process of stretching, strengthening, body alignment, and increasing core strength. This form of exercise can be described as a “mind-body exercise”. It requires core stability, strength, and flexibility as well as giving attention to muscle control, posture, and breathing. Pilates should improve flexibility, build strength, and develop control and endurance in the entire body. 

So, how is pilates different from yoga?

Both forms of exercise are described as a mind-and-body discipline. They both develop strength, flexibility, and fitness. Pilates emphasizes core strength, while yoga emphasizes flexibility. Also, yoga is more likely to address spiritual aspects. 

So, should I do pilates? 

Pilates is seen as a type of strength training because it builds strength and muscle. So, pilates is a great form of exercise to incorporate into your lifestyle. I personally have pilates as my #1 form of strength training. Anyone can do it; it can be easily adjusted to a beginner or advanced level. Even though I can get a good sweat from pilates, it’s still very calming for me. It’s a form of low-intensity exercise, where you are able to do pilates for a prolonged time. It does not make you physically tired like cardio does, which I really like because I’m able to do an hour of pilates at a time.

If you’re interested in pilates, read articles and watch youtube videos on pilates and the different pilates exercises you can do. There are probably some pilates exercises you have seen before or are already doing.