As more and more famous faces cite Pilates as being their go to workout, one might think that Pilates is a new fitness craze. Actually, Pilates is far from it. It has been around since the end of the first world war when a German national Joseph Pilates developed the practise of Pilates. But what actually is pilates? In short, Pilates is a range of low impact exercises that aim to strengthen your muscles, improve posture and increase your flexibility.
What are the benefits of Pilates?
Now we have uncovered what Pilates is, you may be wondering what are the benefits of this low impact exercise? Like any exercise, you will not be a master straight away, results take time and commitment. A famous quote from Joseph Pilates himself is ‘in 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference and in 30 you will have a whole new body’. Here is a list of our favourite benefits, but there are many more.
- Better posture
- Stronger core
- Increased range of motion
- Better balance
- Reduced back pain
- Stress relief
- Improved mental wellbeing
With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder Pilates is so popular. It is not just becoming popular amongst fitness enthusiasts, celebrities are also getting in on the action too.
Celebrities who swear by pilates:
- Cameron Diaz
- Lady Gaga
- Miley Cyrus
- Gwyeneth Paltrow
- Madonna
- Sandra Bullock
- Reese Witherspoon
- Jennifer Anniston
- Andy Murray
- Hugh Grant
- David Beckham
Jennifer Anniston is a strong supporter of Pilates, she claims that it was one of the main activities that helped her to overcome her chronic back pain and bad hip problem. She also states that Pilates makes her feel much healthier overall.
Although Pilates is typically marketed towards females, the same benefits apply to men too. David Beckham was introduced to Pilates whilst on loan at AC Milan. They insisted that players partake in Pilates in order to improve their balance. When asked about it, he claimed to do an hour of Pilates a day and says he has never felt fitter.
How to get started with pilates
Getting involved with Pilates, whichever method you choose to get started is a great way to join a community of like minded individuals. There are a variety of different routes available to get you into Pilates. If you are on a budget or not sure it is for you, why not check out some of the free videos and step by step tutorials available on YouTube? Alternatively you could start attending Pilates classes at a local Pilates studio. If you are really looking to get the most out of Pilates, we have to recommend attending classes with a live Pilates instructor. This is because they can guide you through each movement whilst ensuring your form is correct.
Another way you could get into pilates is with a pilates retreat. There are plenty of options available, our favourite is Reformer Retreats because it provides you with a full classical pilates experience. Alongside the Pilates sessions, during the retreat you can book onto 1-1 reformer sessions which will allow you to get full attention and learn first hand from the best. On top of the amazing Pilates sessions available, there are a variety of wellness activities to get involved with which will allow you to have a weekend full of Pilates, pampering and relaxing. This includes, massages, meditation, wellness talks, paddle boarding and more.
Overview of the benefits of Pilates
We hope this article has given you an insight into the world of Pilates and maybe it may now be a fitness activity you consider getting involved with. It doesn’t require an abundance of time or specialist equipment, although it is a great hobby and you can have access to top of the range equipment at certain Pilates studios. It really is up to you how much time and effort you put into Pilates and what results you aim to achieve.
