For many people, the festive season brings with it a session of bingeing followed by feelings of guilt. And the strong urge to take one’s fitness in hand. If you experience this too, but don’t know where you can get started then worry not, we have the perfect solution for you! Pilates. It’s an accessible way to work your core muscles and leads to better posture, balance and flexibility. And to help us get back in shape, we reached out to Fitness Coach, Namrata Purohit, to share some of her pro tips. Scroll down to read all about this wonderful form of exercise!

What is Pilates?

During the 1920s, Fitness Coach Joseph Pilates brought Pilates into the US as an approach to help men at war, athletes and artists securely return to their regular activity and keep up their wellness. From then onwards, Pilates has been adjusted to suit individuals in a general community. Simply put, Pilates will help you get the strength and agility of a warrior and also a lean, long, flexible body of a ballet dancer! Pilates is a mind and body exercise methodology designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body. It focuses on all aspects of fitness ensuring you get the maximum benefit from your workout.

How does Pilates work?

Pilates utilises a blend of roughly 50 straightforward, monotonous activities to make a solid effort. Promoters of this arrangement of activity guarantee that activities can be adjusted to give either delicate quality preparing to restoration or a difficult exercise sufficiently overwhelming to challenge talented competitors. The activities are intended to build muscle quality and perseverance, adaptability, and to improve stance and equilibrium.

Mat Pilates by Diignat | www.shutterstock.com
Mat Pilates by Diignat | www.shutterstock.com

What are the benefits of Pilates?

From increased resilience to mental wellness, the advantages of Pilates are extensive. The beauty of Pilates is seen when followed as a regular regime in your fitness routine. Through the controlled and reformist movements, you can thoroughly reshape your body. Here are a few benefits that one can easily achieve while doing Pilates.

  • Increased core strength
  • Increased overall strength
  • Improved lean body mass (helps lose inches)
  • Improved flexibility and mobility
  • Increased balance and stability
  • Improved posture
  • Develops the function and efficiency of the lungs
  • Safe on the joints
  • Improved sports performance

Who should go for Pilates? And who should avoid it?

Anyone and everyone can do Pilates, it is extremely customised. It offers a lot of advantages to your body, regardless of your wellness foundation. You’ll improve your stance, focus around your body alignment, and get one hell of a core exercise.

Do you need any equipment for Pilates?

Some Pilates beginner classes use a mat during the workout session, some classes use specific equipment, specially designed for a Pilates workout. For example, Cadillac,

which looks a little like a bed with a canopy frame and is used in various ways for advanced students, chair, and ladder barrel. Whenever equipment is used in a class, ensure to first train the students and intimate all on the safety regime.

Yasmin Karachiwala Performing Pilates
Yasmin Karachiwala Performing Pilates

How Can One Get Started?

It is advisable to start with private classes to really understand the principles and the form.

What is the difference between Pilates and yoga?

Pilates and yoga are only similar in the way that they both are mind-and-body forms of exercise and focus on breathing. While some mat-work exercises may be similar to Pilates, the technique of breathing is different. Also, equipment-based exercises are extremely different.

What are the common myths about Pilates?

1. Myth: Pilates is all about stretching.

Fact: Pilates works on all aspects of fitness, including strength, flexibility and endurance.

2. Myth: Pilates is only for women.

Fact: Pilates was started by a man for men at war. Everyone can benefit from this form of exercise.

Maahek Nair - Pilates
Maahek Nair – Pilates

What are the things one should keep in mind before their first Pilates class?

  • Wear form-fitting clothes and do not forget to wear socks.
  • You will feel muscle-burn during the class and probably be sore the next day, so keep in mind to use your energy wisely on the first day of your class.
  • Pilates work on several muscle groups and not just a particular area on your body.
  • There are two different sets of classes one can opt for—mat classes and reformer classes. For beginners, one should first understand the principles of Pilates in a private session.
  • Balance your days once you join Pilates classes, it should be a well-rounded fitness plan to ensure you are getting it all right!

Have you tried Pilates? Please share your experience with us in the comments below!

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