“In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference and in 30 you will be on your way to having a whole new body.”

Fitness Pilates is a form of exercise that uses controlled movements designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture. The movements focus primarily on your core to condition your body and build stronger, more sculpted muscles without any excess bulk. Fitness Pilates can also help to improve your posture from the abdominal and back strength you’ll gain through the controlled movements.

Once called “the best kept secret of the chic, rich, famous and beautiful,” Pilates is now a household name. Pilates is based on the original teachings of Joseph Pilates and effective exercise programme. Each exercise is designed to make the maximum use of your time by targeting the deep postural muscles of the body, building strength from the inside out and re-balancing your muscles.

Fitness Pilates attacks the root of bad posture by toning little-used muscles groups in the abdomen, torso, upper and lower back, while incorporating a slow breathing technique to energise the body. Fitness Pilates moves are also designed to work the muscles of the whole body (abdominals, lower back, thighs, buttocks, calves, arms, shoulders) and to gently lengthen them. The result is a body that is properly aligned and at less risk of injury. Fitness Pilates includes weight-bearing exercises so helps to prevent osteoporosis. 

So when considering what is Fitness Pilates, the biggest reason people ask about this exercise is what are the health benefits? As Fitness Pilates focuses on core strength, posture and flexibility the health benefits include:

1. Fitness Pilates Is for Everyone!  

Fitness Pilates can be done by anyone – man, woman, young or old. No matter your age or physical ability, you can do Fitness Pilates. There are thousands of possible exercises and modifications, so it can be adapted to fit an individual’s needs to provide either a gentle strength training program or a challenging workout, most people would have no problem with this form of exercise. 

2. Fitness Pilates Works Your Core  

One of the key components of Fitness Pilates is the emphasis on core strength. The core is the “powerhouse” of the body – Fitness Pilates strengthens and conditions the core while simultaneously working your arms and legs. The exercises focus on movements and positions that not only activate your core but also rely on your extremities (arms and legs) for control.

3. Fitness Pilates Is Good for Your Posture  

One of the main components of Fitness Pilates is the connection between mind and body and the overall awareness of how your body moves. As a result, you become more aware of the placement of your spine and pelvis, especially during your Fitness Pilates routine. The exercises require that your body is always in alignment. This is especially beneficial if you suffer from lower back pain.

4. Muscle Tone 

The exercises involve the use of muscles that you may not use on a daily basis. After the initial soreness, you’ll find that your muscles will be much more toned. This is especially good for older people and those who are normally quite sedate in their daily life as muscle tone is usually lost with age and inactivity.

5. Sore Muscles

Dedicating your entire focus to even the smallest movements means that you’ll work the muscles that each exercise intends. And that means you can be dealing with muscle soreness after your workout. Don’t fret: While next-day soreness may be at a whole new level after your first week, your body will get more used to the movements with time. Being sore the next day just means you’re challenging your muscles in new ways or working muscle groups that don’t usually get much attention.

6. Flexibility

As we age we tend to lose the flexibility we had when we were young. Fitness Pilates will restore your flexibility, gently at first of course. After a while though, you’ll be amazed at how much more flexible your body has become. This is especially important for avoiding injuries from falls

7. Fitness Pilates Increases Energy  

Like yoga, Fitness Pilates teaches you how to focus on the correct way to breathe. You’ll breathe more deeply, providing your body with more oxygen and thus increasing your energy levels. Once you finish your Fitness Pilates routine, you’ll find yourself feeling more energized, de-stressed, peaceful and relaxed.

8. Fitness Pilates Improves the Mind/Body Connection  

Fitness Pilates workouts are designed to improve your balance and coordination by teaching a stronger connection between the mind and the body. Fitness Pilates movements are done with control and focus to help you become more aware of your alignment.

9. Fitness Pilates Improves Balance and Co-ordination  

Because of its strong focus on the core, Fitness Pilates helps to improve your overall balance by stabilizing your core. Through the mind-body connection which is taught in Fitness Pilates you will become much more aware of how your body moves and performs. Therefore Fitness Pilates not only improves your physical balance through correct posture but will also restore your mind-body balance.

10. Fitness Pilates helps to Reduce stress

When doing the exercises, you’ll be totally engrossed and won’t be able to think about all those responsibilities that weigh you down on a day-to-day basis. You’ll be more focused on your breathing and on the moves that you are making with your body. This is an excellent way to relieve stress.

Fitness Pilates exercises focus more on the overall tone and strength of your muscles so it won’t help you work up a sweat or improve your overall cardiovascular health. While Fitness Pilates is a demanding workout, focusing on concentration and breathing, you’ll also need to add in a cardio component to your fitness routine. Try at least 1-2 cardio sessions a week in addition to your Fitness Pilates practice.

In short, yes. While there are quite a few similarities between the two, Fitness Pilates focuses more on the physical whereas yoga focuses more on the spiritual. Fitness Pilates will help you tone, strengthen and stabilize your muscles, especially the core. Yoga allows you to achieve and maintain balance between your mind, body and spirit.

Fitness Pilates works your whole body which includes your abdominal area and your spinal area. This is why Fitness Pilates can be extremely beneficial for people who suffer from lower back pain. Other areas of your body that are strengthened and toned through Fitness Pilates include your legs, especially your upper thighs, and your buttocks.

Fitness Pilates has also been useful for people who suffer from arthritis as it helps to keep your joints flexible. Because Fitness Pilates strengthens the thigh muscles this may be particularly useful in preventing arthritis and knee injuries.

Because Fitness Pilates is a muscle strengthening form of exercise it can help you to trim and tone certain areas of your body especially your stomach, legs and buttocks. Classes can be tailored to offer either a gentle exercise program for providing core strength, flexibility and balance or a complete workout for a more rigorous exercise program.

Bear in mind though that Fitness Pilates is not classed as an aerobic exercise, so for effective weight loss you should combine your Fitness Pilates exercises with a healthy diet and some regular aerobic activity such as walking, swimming or cycling.