Top 7 Benefits of Practicing Pilates

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YogaSol > Pilates > Top 7 Benefits of Practicing Pilates
"Best hot yoga studio ever!"
- Jason H, Old Greenwich

If you like fun and fast ways to get and stay fit, we’ve got a power-packed treat for you. Our pilates classes fit almost any lifestyle. AND the best part – we keep them fun, fast-paced, and calorie-burning. Whether you’re a parent, workaholic or simply someone who doesn’t move their body as much as you’d like, a pilates class should be the next step on your health journey.

Read on to learn more about pilates, and find out some of the benefits that will have you booking your first class right away.

What Exactly is Pilates?

Pilates strengthens and tones your whole body during each workout. Created in the early 20th century, pilates routines combine coordinated movements and breath to create an exercise that works smaller muscles just as much as larger ones. Pilates = the OG full body workout.

Every pilates movement builds core strength. By strengthening the core, you can then develop functional movement patterns throughout the body that distribute your exertion evenly for full-body results.

Pilates offers a workout the produces noticeable results while also remaining low-impact to support your joints. By practicing pilates consistently, you can improve your balance, mobility and overall strength throughout your day-to-day life.

The Difference Between Pilates and Yoga

Pilates and yoga are both low-impact exercises, but the similarities largely stop there.

When practicing yoga, you generally focus on flowing into positions, holding the position, and then flowing into the next position. This works to improve your sense of balance, increase your connection with your body, and ease muscle pain. Yoga also often features a spiritual component that promotes mindfulness, making each movement meditative.

Pilates requires you to stabilize your core before adding arm and leg movements. This means you’ll see benefits such as toned muscles, body control and increased overall strength. And with the added cardio component, you’ll burn plenty of calories in each pilates class.

How Long Does it Take to See Results From Pilates?

When introducing any new exercise into your routine, you may wonder how long it will take to see results. Luckily, with pilates, you’ll start to see improvements relatively quickly.

Thanks to the way pilates strengthens your core and tones your body, you’ll notice improvements in your mood and energy level after just a few weeks. And with regular practice, your muscles will start to feel stronger at the one-month mark. Combine your regular pilates training with healthy eating and a good sleep schedule, and you should start to see changes to your body shape after just two months.

WARNING: practicing pilates with us 3 times a week for 60 days might lead to buying smaller clothes.

The Top Benefits of Pilates

Pilates is one of the most popular forms of exercise for a reason. From toning your muscles to simply having fun, there are plenty of benefits that make it a great choice for anyone interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some of the top benefits of pilates that you can look forward to at your next class.

It Strengthens Your Core

In pilates training, you essentially focus on stabilizing your core while adding arm and leg movements to burn calories and tone your whole body. These strategic movements are particularly effective at strengthening your core muscles.

Because all movements stem from your core, strengthening this area leaves you feeling more powerful when it comes to completing daily motions with ease.

No Equipment Necessary

Unlike some forms of training, pilates doesn’t come with a long list of required equipment. Some routines may be enhanced with the use of weights, rings or bands, but these aren’t absolutely necessary for getting the results you want. If all you have is enthusiasm for moving your body, you have everything you need to get the most out of your pilates training.

It Improves Your Posture (And Decreases Back Pain)

Carrying yourself the right way does more than improve your self-confidence. In fact, having proper posture promotes balanced muscles and prevents headaches and shoulder pain. And since pilates focuses on full-body alignment, it can target deeper muscles and improve your posture to keep you from experiencing back pain.

It Relieves Stress

A widely known benefit of physical exercise is that it gives you an outlet for stress and anxiety. However, pilates achieves this in a specific way. By focusing inward and regulating your breathing, you can stabilize your nervous system as you stabilize your core. In turn, this lowers your cortisol levels and decreases stress over time.

It Eases Menstrual Pain

When it comes to menstrual pain, experiences differ for everyone. If your menstrual periods are particularly painful, it can be debilitating and even leave you out of commission for several days. Luckily, many studies have shown that pilates can reduce menstrual pain. Consequently, pilates can reduce or eliminate your menstrual recovery time each month.

It Acts as an Immunity Booster

Research has indicated that pilates can boost the immune system in those who train regularly, especially for adults who are getting older. This immunity boost is thought to be due to the improved blood circulation that the exercise promotes.

It Strengthens Your Brain

The benefits of pilates aren’t limited to physical improvements. In fact, pilates is thought to improve cognitive functioning in those who train consistently. With increased blood flow to the brain and enhanced neuron development, pilates can enhance your thinking and even improve your memory.

Different Pilates Classes we Offer

As you can see from the benefits above, consistent practice maximizes the benefits of your pilates practice. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. In each of our classes, our teacher change up the movements to keep it fun and energizing. We also have an option that includes weight training.

Read more about the benefits of weight training here.

Here are the descriptions of our two pilates classes we offer at the studio.

Pilates Cardio

Pilates Cardio combines muscle toning and cardio in a room heated to around 100 degrees. The practice creates long, lean muscle mass while burning fat, which leads to rapid results. It strengthens your core, improves circulation, and increases flexibility. You will need a mat, towels (yoga/bath and hand) and water.

Hot Pilates Strength

Hot Pilates Cardio with weights. This special class will incorporate 1-3 lb. COATED hand weights. (Please bring your own.) While weights will be an option for each exercise, they are not required to take this class.

Did you know we have a pilates only class pass?

Feed Your Body and Mind at a YogaSol Pilates Class

For those who are interested in making their health journey more fun, a YogaSol pilates class is the perfect addition to your exercise routine. Dedicated to providing those in the Norwalk, Connecticut area with fun and engaging exercise classes, YogaSol is the perfect supporting partner for your healthy lifestyle. Book a class and start enjoying the benefits of pilates today.

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