| Pilates has been very popular throughout the years | | | | 3. Pilates can improve muscle tone and strength |
| with a wide range of people. Pilates offers a fun, | | | | without muscle bulk |
| low-impact exercise and fitness workout that helps | | | | Regular Pilates classes can help develop that lean, |
| tone muscles and build strength without bulky | | | | toned and fit look that many of us want to have but |
| muscles. | | | | struggle with. Pilates can help your muscles become |
| Our Top Five Ways That Pilates Can Improve Your | | | | fit and well-toned without the added musclee bulk |
| Health | | | | because many of the exercises are done with your |
| 1. Pilates exercises build your core and back | | | | own body weight or assisted with various Pilates |
| Pilates exercises are great exercises to build and | | | | equipment. |
| increase a person's core abdominal and low back | | | | 4. Pilates Improves Your Mind-Body-Spirit Connection |
| muscle strength. The improvement in the strength | | | | Pilates also helps develop a strong connection |
| and coordination of the core muscles in Pilates can | | | | between your body (muscles) and your mind by |
| help prevent low back injuries or improve chronic low | | | | focusing on experiencing the flow of energy with |
| back pain due to poor posture. Staying pain-free is a | | | | each movement. This "mind-body" awareness helps |
| key healthy component to staying fit and active. | | | | improve your body's ability to connect with the mind. |
| 2. Pilates can help reduce stress and promote | | | | 5. Pilates Prevents Injuries |
| relaxation | | | | Pilates workouts can help improve your balance, core |
| One part of Pilates focuses on learning proper | | | | strength and fitness, all important pieces to avoiding |
| breathing techniques with deep and relaxing | | | | developing an injury due to poor posture, tight |
| inhalations. The focus of Pilates on this type of | | | | muscles or a fall. One major benefit of Pilates is that |
| breathing can help promote relaxation and decrease | | | | Pilates develops "functional" or whole body strength |
| the amount of stress a person feels. This reduction | | | | and doesn't focus on just a limited number of muscle |
| of stress can help decrease certain risk factors for | | | | groups. This "whole body" focus in Pilates prevents |
| certain health problems. | | | | muscle imbalances and reduces injuries. |