| Pilates is a body fitness system that was developed in | | | | muscle groups: your lower back, abdomen and |
| the twentieth century by J Pilates. He named the | | | | buttocks and help you tone and lose weight in these |
| method The Art of Contrology, which references the | | | | areas as well. |
| way the motions promotes the use of the mind to | | | | The best part of all is that whatever your current |
| control the muscles. It is an exercise system that | | | | fitness level or your muscle strength, any normal |
| centres on the core postural muscles that help keep | | | | person can do pilates. It is a very safe method of |
| the body balanced and are essential to providing | | | | exercise. The movements are based upon dance and |
| support for the spine. | | | | yoga exercises and emphasises body alignment as |
| Pilates can aid in losing weight by toning your body and | | | | well as body awareness the same way dance |
| conditioning your muscles. Large people that need to | | | | exercises do. |
| lose weight may find it to be a great alternative to | | | | To keep your muscles flexible is of great importance if |
| regular conditioning classes at the local gym. | | | | you are overweight. The more lean muscle mass of |
| There are 2 ways of doing pilates. Either on a mat on | | | | your total body composition you have, the more fat |
| the floor or you can use the reformer machine. Both | | | | mass you will burn on a daily basis. If you don't have |
| techniques requires trained pilates instructors to teach | | | | the discipline to workout by yourself and lift weights to |
| you individually or as part of a larger group. | | | | keep your muscle mass from disappearing completely, |
| This type of pilates exercise is great for older people | | | | pilates is a great alternative. |
| as well as improving balance and flexibility and also | | | | If money is the option, mixing both might be what |
| great if you have arthritis or any other joint immobility | | | | would fit your budget and your schedule to tone and |
| problems. | | | | shape your body effectively. Pilates is not for anybody |
| In pilates exercises a totally new awareness is | | | | who is trying to build size or increase muscle mass in |
| discovered while using the body mind connection to be | | | | any larger volume. Pilates is usually performed over |
| able to perform the movement properly. The | | | | hour long sessions. |
| movements focus on strengthening the powerhouse | | | | |