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How to do Pilate exercises
Pilates has become an extremely popular
form of exercise in recent years. There are Pilates studios, Pilates classes
at health clubs, and even at-home Pilates DVD’s. Pilates has actually been
around for nearly a century, but its benefits seem to have just been
recognized in the last several years.
Pilates is a type of exercise that works through stretching and
strengthening the body, especially the core region (the abdomen, the back,
and the buttocks). Using the body’s own weight, Pilates exercises develop
the core muscles through a series of breathing, balancing, strength, and
stretching movements. Using very precise movements and low repetitions, this
form of exercise can help you to be stronger, experience less back pain,
move your body more fluidly, and lose weight.
Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, in order to help wounded World War
I soldiers regain their strength and movement. He rigged a machine out of
hospital beds and springs that would allow the men to do exercises that did
not strain their joints. When he came to New York City in 1926, he brought
his system with him.
Pilates works by doing special stretching exercises, either on a Pilates
machine or a mat on the floor, along with very specific breathing exercises.
During these exercises, you must keep your torso steady while stretching
your arms and legs in different directions. Not only does this help tone
your limbs, but the continual workout to the core (from holding those
muscles steady) is excellent for toning the abdominal muscles.
Though not considered an aerobic workout, Pilates exercises can play a big
role in helping you to lose weight. The strenuous series of exercises, done
in slow and controlled movements, help to develop muscle tone and burn
calories. And the more muscle tone you have, the more calories your body
burns at rest. In turn, you can lose weight!
When done in conjunction with aerobic activity, weight training, and eating
a balanced diet, Pilates can help feel stronger, be leaner, have less pain,
and lose weight. The slow and controlled movements required in order to
perform the exercises properly, and the controlled breathing techniques also
provide a calming effect. Pilates is truly a total mind and body workout!
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