What are the benefits of Pilates?
We all know that exercise is fundamental to the human body. Recently there has been a surge of new fitness and exercise crazes hitting the streets. It seems that everybody is hooked on crossfit or bootcamp, or attending gym classes. As allied health professionals, we love it! For many people, however, these classes can prove to be quite strenuous. Unfortunately such classes often cause injury as they can involve heavy weights and high-intensity exercises which the individual may not be properly prepared for or know how to do with the correct technique.
Many of our clients find that tailored Pilates exercises help them improve their overall health as the focus is on building strength and flexibility. Pilates is often seen as a more gentle form of exercise, but it can vary in intensity and levels, and is an exercise that suits everyone, from novice to advanced. Pilates can be undertaken as a standalone exercise regime, or equally in conjunction with other exercise programs.
Often, physiotherapy clients benefit from undertaking Pilates as part of their treatment plan, particularly those suffering from back conditions. One of the focuses and important points of Pilates is on strengthening your core and improving posture, which can ease back pain and prevent future health issues.
Many people think of Pilates as similar to yoga, and although it has many similar elements, it also has differences, and some of the exercises in Pilates may involve the use of machines. If you’ve tried yoga and it didn’t suit you, Pilates may well be the exercise that does fit you and your needs. Equally, many avid yoga attendees also find that Pilates is an excellent addition to their exercise regime. Quite simply, there are many health benefits to Pilates. Are you feeling stiff or inflexible? Pilates can help with that. Do you want to add a stretching element to your exercise plan? Try out Pilates!
Before you jump in, take heed on one thing that is critical – to make sure your instructor is certified. Although Pilates is a gentle form of exercise, a properly trained instructor will be able to tailor the exercises to suit you and ensure any risk is minimised. Some people have attended large group classes of Pilates and found that it wasn’t for them or unfortunately that it aggravated a pre-existing medical condition. Large group classes are fundamentally different to the attention that you will receive in a smaller group class, as the instructor to attendee ratio is higher in smaller classes and in individual training. At our physiotherapy and Pilates clinic, our clients will receive the attention that they need, and will only undertake the exercises that suit them, with careful supervision from certified professionals. The benefits of Pilates extend far beyond the time spent in class, as you will receive the knowledge and skills to improve your posture, strengthen your core and increase your flexibility in your daily life.
To enjoy the benefits of Pilates please get in touch with the staff at Signature Wellbeing.
