For the uninitiated, Pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout focussing on slow, controlled movements aligned with breathwork, with a central tenet of core stability. Developed in the early 20th century by German boxer Joseph Pilates, it originally evolved as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers, before becoming popular with New York’s elite dancers and celebrities, spawning a worldwide movement that’s still going from strength to strength over 100 years later.
What people often refer to as “toning” is actually a combination of building muscle and reducing body fat to give the appearance of more defined muscles.
Begin alternating lifting your right arm and left leg, then your left arm and right leg in a swimming motion.
Let’s face it, we all seem to be more stressed than ever right now – and it’s pelo secret that hardcore cardio workouts can further increase our cortisol levels, sending our stress responses sky high. But we also know that exercise is a known stress reliever. The solution? You guessed it – Pilates.
Many people think toning is just about losing fat, but it’s really about muscle definition, endurance, and strength without significant bulk. Pilates achieves this by:
So, does Pilates help you to lose weight? The reality is, doing Pilates on its own will not be sufficient exercise to lose weight. If you are after the most direct strategy to losing weight a combination of diet and exercise is needed.
In choosing exercise, activities that increase your heart rate and get you out of breath are more effective at helping weight loss.
Take note though – not all fat is bad. We need body fat for vital biological processes and to provide a protective layer around our most precious organs. Women naturally have more body fat than men. A healthy percentage of body fat is not less than 14% for women and not less than 10% for men.
Not only are most moves cued from the centre, but there are many flexion exercises, meaning that strengthening the abdominals is part and parcel of a regular practice.”
If you are doing Pilates with equipment, such as the Reformer or Trapeze Table, you may often be working the muscles in a way that they are lengthening under tension.
Pilates-based strength training exercises target multiple muscle groups simultaneously, helping to increase muscle mass, which in turn can increase calorie burn.
Pilates can be a valuable component of a well-rounded fitness routine aimed at improving muscle tone, but it may be more effective when combined with other forms of exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
"Extend the arms. Lift the opposite arm and leg whilst the chest lifts a little too. Quicken up the pace when you’re ready."
Have you ever thought, "What is Pilates, and can it really help me get the toned body I want?" You are not the only yoga grand haven mi one! A lot of people want to know how this popular workout method can change their lives.