| Ask anyone who knows anything about health and | | | | It's generally recognised and understood that we all |
| fitness and they'll know something about the Pilates | | | | need to exercise in order to keep fit and trim but |
| system. Pilates was originally developed by Joseph | | | | now you don't need to go to the gym every day |
| Pilates in 1926. He could see that people who were | | | | and workout for hours at a time. Just a 30 minute |
| recovering from illness and injury still needed to | | | | session 3 times a week is all that is required in order |
| exercise but without causing further distress to the | | | | to see real results. You can of course put in more |
| body. | | | | time and sessions if you want to see bigger and |
| His unique system of exercises involve gentle flowing | | | | better results even faster. |
| movements combined with controlled breathing. Each | | | | But, and this is very important. You must learn how |
| exercise routine is designed to reap the maximum | | | | to do the exercises properly otherwise they will not |
| benefit by performing the exercise completely and | | | | work. Each routine is focused on a combination of |
| precisely. It's not necessary to work up a sweat and | | | | breathing, stretching, positioning, posture, control, |
| it's not necessary to exert pain or pressure. | | | | precision and concentration. And each exercise has to |
| Pilates is suitable for people of all age groups, which | | | | be completed fully and perfectly in order to gain the |
| makes it very popular. It's also quite easy to get | | | | real benefits. |
| started with Pilates as all you need for the beginner | | | | Some gyms have Pilates classes and there are |
| level is a mat, making it the best entry level exercise | | | | numerous Pilates trainers around, but probably the |
| system available. | | | | best way to get started is by watching an |
| Professional physical trainers and therapists | | | | instructional video. Training videos are available on |
| recommend the Pilates system to people recovering | | | | DVD and cover the whole system from beginner |
| from injury and those suffering from back pain. The | | | | level through intermediate level and up to advanced |
| series of routines are designed in a way that they will | | | | level. |
| not make any injury worse but help the injury to heal | | | | Another reason for choosing the video option is that |
| faster. | | | | you can perform the routines in your own home |
| More recently, it has emerged that the Pilates | | | | when time is available. So now there's no excuse. |
| method of exercise routines is especially good for | | | | Everyone can get fitter and healthier by following the |
| losing weight and getting fit. What's more, body | | | | tried and tested Pilates system at home at any time |
| toning is almost a by product. | | | | that is convenient. There's no time like the present! |