4 Reasons to try Pilates in 2023

Ever wanted to try Pilates but something has stopped you? Maybe you felt like you wouldn’t get a “real” workout in? There are so many great benefits to Pilates, no matter what stage of life you’re in or where you’re at on your fitness journey. Our Head trainer and Pilates Queen Julia has put together 4 reasons why you should try Pilates in 2023!

1. Anyone can do Pilates, it’s a full body conditioning workout

   Pilates has no prerequisite! It doesn’t matter what level of fitness you are, you may be a pro athlete, just starting to exercise or somewhere in between. Pilates helps to strengthen and tone the entire body. It is one of the most effective forms of exercise to change the body shape and create tone because it targets all of the muscles in the body.

   Pilates is similar to weights in that it is a strength- based exercise programme. Pilates works on toning both the larger and smaller muscle groups of the body including the stabilising muscles, which are sometimes hard to target through weights alone. Pilates is adaptable, all exercises can be modified to suit your fitness level, age and experience so now is the right time to get started!

2. To connect your mind, body and breath

   For each Pilates movement, there is a breath in or out to accompany that movement. The inhale should be through the nose and the exhale out through the mouth. The breath should be low and forceful on the exhale to get more out of each exercise.

   Pilates will use the breath to isolate the pelvic floor and deep core muscles, this helps to activate these muscles correctly. Next time you are doing pilates or lifting weights, exhale on the hardest part of the exercise. For example, during a basic squat, inhale to lower and exhale to stand. You’ll feel more energetic, powerful and you’ll be working your muscles more effectively.
   

3. Great for pregnancy and postpartum

Pregnancy and childbirth both have a major impact on a woman’s body, both internally and externally. Pilates is one of the best methods of exercise for pregnancy and postpartum to maintain / regain strength, mobility and decrease postural changes.

During pregnancy, women will naturally move into a Lordosis-Kyphosis type of posture (arch in lower back and hunched forward shoulders). All of these changes are due to the increasing weight of the baby, breast size, and structural laxity of the skeletal system.

Pilates helps to stretch the chest, hip flexors and gluteal muscles which all tighten up during pregnancy. Pilates when done correctly will strengthen the pelvic floor, transverse abdominis (deep core), glutes, lower trapezius and rhomboids (upper back) and arm muscles. These muscles all play an important role in maintaining correct posture, limiting the aches and pains from pregnancy and postpartum.

4. You can do it anywhere with minimal to no equipment

Pilates is a method of exercise that doesn’t require much space or heavy equipment. You can have a killer pilates session purely using your body weight!

In Pilates, correct muscle activation and control is the focus (it is not about the amount of weight lifted). Some pilates workouts add light hand or ankle weights, resistance bands or a pilates ball for an extra challenge. In Pilates, heavier weights are not necessarily better as muscle control and correct activation are the aim. It is more about the quality of movement not the amount of resistance or the quantity of movement.

All the equipment you have can pack away nicely into your travel bag to take with you on vacay! You can take your workout wherever you go, switch on a class and get working!

Keen to try?

Join us for brand new Pilates classes every week with a She Moves membership! Pilates is one of our most popular classes! Come try we know you’ll love it! You can try a free class here