When it comes to Pilates, most women either are die-hard enthusiasts or have never stepped foot in a Pilates studio. Here are 7 reasons you should give it a try.

1. Great for Your Abs

Pilates hits your core  unlike any other workout. In fact, research shows that after completing 36 weeks of Pilates training, women strengthened their rectus abdominis (the muscle responsible for six-packs) by an average of 21 percent, while eliminating muscle imbalances between the right and left sides of their cores.

2. Eases back pain

A stronger core equals a better back, That’s why those with chronic lower back pain who practiced Pilates for just four weeks experienced more relief than those who visited a physician and other specialists, says a Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy study. What’s more, their pain stayed away for a full year post-Pilates. Researchers believe that by stabilising the core’s lumbar-pelvic (lower-back) region, Pilates alleviates stress on the area and ups mobility.

3. It’s Easy on Your Joints

Pilates’ slow and controlled movements puts minimal impact on your joints. so if you suffer with knee pain post exercise or think your knees will prevent you form exercise think again and try Pilates.

4. Helps your focus

Pilates helps you to focus on your breathing,  and your awareness of how your body moves. It takes a lot of concentration, to feel how you are moving and focus on moving correctly. Therefore your mind does not wonder and you forget about all your daily worries and distractions. it really is a time for you.

5. It Improves your performance

With a stronger core, you can run faster, your lifting is better, and overall, the rest of your workouts improve, a lot of our Group training clients find benefits to their training gained from a weekly pilates class.  Plus, you can learn moves that mimic and improve performance in your sport of choice.

6. Greater flexibility

When you’re tight, you shorten your muscle and limit your body’s range of motion, At best, that can hurt your exercise performance. At worst, it can cause injury.

7. It Boosts Your Brainpower

Joseph Pilates called his workout method “the thinking man’s exercise.” It could very well be. When Chinese researchers measured changes in women’s brain activity after 10 weeks of Pilates training, they found an increase in the brain’s alpha peak power, which is related to neural network activity, memory performance, and other cognitive functions. Researchers believe Pilates may even hold potential as a treatment option for people with brain-degenerative diseases and cognitive dysfunctions.

 

So there you have it 7 really good reasons you should give Pilates a go. Guy has sessions Friday at 5pm and Sunday 9am and 10am. visit www.body-planners.co.uk and book on. We offer pay as you go, so there is no commitment, try it and start reaping the benefits.