Jules Hardman

It’s ME time, join a Pilates Class

The children are back at school so grab yourself some ME time. With more time on your hands now is the time to join a Pilates class. It’s well know that physically active can lead to a healthier and happier life.

Pilates is a great form of exercise and after a few sessions you will start to feel the benefits of regular exercise.

Pilates is a refreshing mind-body workout…

In Pilates the quality of movement is more important than the quantity of repetitions. Correct breathing is essential, and helps you execute movements with maximum power and efficiency, learning to breathe properly can reduce stress.

It’s gentle…

Many of the exercises are performed lying on a mat, and most are low impact and partially weight bearing. Pilates is so safe, it is used in physical therapy facilities to rehabilitate injuries.

But it’s also challenging…

Pilates is also an extremely flexible exercise system. Pilates will help you develop a strong “core”. The core consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine.

Modifications to the exercises allow for a range of difficulty from beginners to advanced.

Improves your posture…

Poor posture forms as a result of bad habit such as slouching at your desk and chair, which can eventually cause backache, neck ache, headache, etc. The bad habits will result in asymmetrical muscle development, where some muscles are weaker than others. Pilates can help to strengthen those underdeveloped muscles and get rid of bad posture.

Places no pressure on your knees and joints…

Since Pilates consists of slow and controlled movement, there is minimal impact on your joints, so it’s ideal for those who cannot (or do not want to) take part in high-impact sports and exercises.

Pilates is for everyone…

It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, fit or out of shape, flexible or not, Pilates is one of a handful of exercises which can benefit everyone.

Pilates creates long, lean muscles and flexibility…

More conventional or traditional workouts are weight bearing and tend to build short, bulky muscles – the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured. Flexibility can be achieved only when all muscles are uniformly developed.

So rather than saying you can’t do Pilates because you are not flexible enough, you should actually participate in Pilates exercises to improve your flexibility.

Pilates is for life and can be life changing, so take some me-time and join a Pilates class now!