If you have been searching for a new workout routine that will give you balance, strength, flexibility, and immense muscle tone then Pilates might be your answer.

This considerably easy workout has so many benefits and currently, the internet is loving Pilates. This workout is so easy and has pretty much no cost to partake in. Pilates is also perfect if you are just a beginner looking to get moving.

So, What is Pilates?

Pilates is a type of mind and body exercise that was developed in the early 20th century. Pilates has been around for over 100 years and it is essentially a collection of low-impact exercises that help you to engage and coordinate movement and breath.

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How Exactly Does it Work?

Pull out your gym mat and prepare to really work your core like never before. Pilates is a specific order of exercises with a strong emphasis on technique. Your technique is VERY important! Your Pilates workout will be around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many movements you implement.

It is important to know that Pilates isn’t an aerobic exercise so you should consider pairing your Pilates with cardio a few times a week.

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What Will you Get out of Pilates?

With Pilates workouts, you will gain better overall posture since these workouts focus on technique. The strengthening of core muscles improves your posture because, without your core, you don’t have posture. These workouts will also strengthen, your arm and your leg muscles.

Most of these exercises are weight-bearing so you will experience the burn that comes with it. Pilates is also proven to relieve lower back pain. Continually, Pilates will help you become more flexible with increased amounts of balance. A lot of these exercises require you to balance and use your flexibility. Exercises like the side plank are quite challenging if you don’t have balance. So with repetition, your flexibility will greatly improve. You will also benefit from increased mobility because you are constantly moving your body from one exercise to another at a quick pace. Being consistent allows you to keep your body fluid to prevent injuries in the future. The more you move your body the less likely you are to get injured.

“Pilates improves function, alignment, core strength, posture, control, concentration, breath… there are so many benefits”

-Glen Ostergaard

Pilates vs. Yoga

Pilates and yoga are often confused and considered interchangeable when they aren't. Yoga offers strength, flexibility, balance, and meditation. Meditation is the major difference.

Pilates offers core strength. As time goes on the workouts increase in difficulty over time. There are many different forms of both of these exercises, but Pilates is always a repeat of the same 50 exercises. It is important to know that these are different workouts that do so different things for your body.

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Who Else does Pilates?

Pilates has sparked so many individuals across the world but here are some names that you might know. Lebron James, Meghan Fox, Hilary Duff, Reese Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian, Sandra Bullock, Harry Styles, Kendal Jenner, and so many more celebrities swear by Pilates for their workout needs. Most of these individuals started doing pilates when they were younger, around our age.

This has been an important part of their workout routines for decades. Celebrities don't always stick with one thing for very long, so if they are sticking with this. It must be good.

How Do You Start?

Remember that Pilates is an add-on to your usual workouts, you should strive to do these workouts once or twice a week. To get a full-body workout, make sure to pair Pilates with an aerobic exercise, like walking or running.

You should invest in a rubber gym mat to do your workouts on, along with a foam roller. Both of these pieces of equipment are crucial to being successful with pilates. Usually, rubber mats and foam rollers are about $10-$20 each.

So it is pretty cost-effective. The investment now is very important because these will last you a long time. It is a one-and-done kind of purchase.

Clothing is also very important, you should be able to stretch and be free in the clothes you wear. Your body should be able to breathe and move. The shoes depend on where you are doing your Pilates workout.

If you are home, you could probably go barefoot. If you are at a gym, you should wear shoes with good grip.

The only thing left to do is find a Pilates workout!

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Where Do You Find Pilates Workouts?

Of course, most gyms have Pilates classes that you can partake in, but those cost money. If you aren't willing to go to the gym frequently, aside from Pilates class, a membership might not be the best route for you. Gyms are great, for encouragement, and the instructors can really perfect your technique but it can be expensive.

So, I have another solution. Home-Workouts. If you do your Pilates workout from home, you can do the workout at your own pace, you can skip some of them and you don't have to deal with people staring at you.

YouTube is a great place to find these types of videos. Start with a shorter workout and work your way up. Don't underestimate these workouts. That is a BIG mistake.

At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for you and your body. Choose the environment that will help you improve and help motivate you.

Takeaways

Pilates is more than just a workout. It is a way of life, it creates mindfulness and overall will better your life as a whole. I want to see Pilates change your life!

Celebrities and influencers do it, with great results. Try it for a week and see how you feel. I'm sure you will be surprised at how good you will feel!

Share your results in the comments and be sure to take the quiz!