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The truth, though?
Liubov Levytska/Adobe Stock
That means Pilates can be a really solid addition to yourat-home workout routine.
And as it turns out, now might be an especially stellar moment to givePilates classesa go.
During the pandemic, tons of instructors began offeringonline Pilates classes, which many have continued.
Thinking about giving Pilates a try?
Scroll through this article first.
What is Pilates?
Pilates also incorporates a lot of mobility, stability, and strength work, says Gale.
They are: centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow.
Pilates can be done atop big, specialized machines, like the reformer and the cadillac.
How can you get started with Pilates?
You dont need any baseline level of skill to try Pilates, says Marie.
Instead, Gale recommends first timers try a virtual beginners Pilates mat class at home.
So what can you expect in a beginner Pialtes mat class?
(The review also uncovered strong evidence that Pilates can effectively improve dynamic balance.
More on that below.)
So yeah, Pilates can improve your balance, a number of studies show.
How, exactly, does Pilates accomplish this?
That, in turn, can translate into better body awareness in everyday life, says Gale.
Pilates is alow-impact form of exercisethat is gentle on your bones and joints.
That means it can be a great fitness option for people who cant do high-impact activities, likerunningor jumping.
Just dont expect Pilates to beeasy.
Pilates can build total-body coordination, says Marie.
Thats because it incorporates a lot of exercises that require multiple body parts to work in tandem.
And whats the benefit of improved coordination?
Pilates isntjustabout your core; it can also strengthen your entire body, says Green.
Pilates is such a great complement to any form of fitness, says Green.
Pilates will only make an athlete better at what they do, says Green.
Indeed, many high-level athletes regularly practice Pilates as part of training for their sport.
Control and precision are whole-heartedly built into every single exercise in Pilates, says Green.
The control and precision emphasized in Pilates can translate into gains in everyday life, says Green.
Mental benefits of Pilates
In Pilates, you may struggle to do certain moves at first.
That feeling of empowerment can make a big difference in your day-to-day.
Once you learn to do that, you’re able to extend that grace to others, says Marie.
Plus, the strong focus on breath work and in Pilates can be particularly relaxing.
