What are the benefits of Pilates? Who is not suitable for Pilates?

Pilates has been loved by many female friends recently. It combines the "hardness" of Westerners, which focuses on the training of body muscles and functions, with the "softness" of Orientalists, which emphasizes the unity of body and mind during practice. However, it does not mean that everyone is suitable for it. Next, we will share with you in detail which friends cannot practice this sport!

Contents of this article

1. What are the benefits of Pilates?

2. Who is not suitable for Pilates?

3. Can Pilates help you lose weight?

What are the benefits of Pilates?

1. Stretch your muscle lines

When you do other sports in the gym, the main function may be to exercise your heart and lungs, but Pilates stretches your muscles directly, so you will feel awkward and uncomfortable when exercising. When you want to go left, it goes right; when you want to go up, it goes down; when you want to inhale, it exhales. There are all kinds of weird postures to strengthen your coordination and mobilize muscles that you may have never mobilized in your life. If you think a certain posture is not so ugly and uncomfortable, and it is quite pleasant to do, needless to say, you must be doing it wrong!

2. Combination of rigidity and flexibility

A big reason why Pilates has become popular recently is that it is not limited by the venue. You can practice it on a mat or even on the floor. It is a bit like yoga, but it is more outstanding in combining Chinese and Western elements. It integrates the "hardness" of Westerners, which focuses on the training of body muscles and functions, and the "softness" of Easterners, which emphasizes the unity of body and mind during practice. Each posture must be coordinated with breathing.

Pilates can not only improve the external appearance of the human body, but also has special effects in treating some diseases, such as swelling, back pain, constipation, fatigue, varicose veins, etc.

3. Relax while stretching and breathing

Most office workers have fat around their waists, and Pilates is a very targeted exercise. No matter what, your muscles should be tense, your legs should be stretched as far as possible, and your breathing should be coordinated. Imagine that your head is about to hit the ceiling. With beautiful music, the fitness trainer is guiding you to practice. There is no pressure, no irritability, and in this environment, you will really feel like a person who is above everything and is only immersed in exercise.

4. Improve spirit and vitality

Pilates can boost your emotional health. The gentle, steady movements can calm your mind and relieve your mental stress. As you lengthen and strengthen your muscles, you can help your circulatory system and clear away tension. Each move will make you feel calm, coordinated, and energized. Focus on pushing your stress away, and you'll achieve physical and mental health.

5. Better balance and coordination

In your 40s and 50s, your balance deteriorates as your muscles atrophy and nerve receptors lose sensitivity. Pilates reverses this aging process by stabilizing your core. Pilates works the fine, deep muscles that help keep your body stable while making your spine more flexible and strong.

6. Reduce pain and stiffness

If you suffer from osteoarthritis pain, you may find that doing Pilates can help you lengthen your body and reduce your pain. Proper exercise is essential to healing arthritis because stretching exercises can increase your flexibility and reduce pain and fatigue. Stretching allows nutrients to flow to your muscles and tendons, which keeps your muscles healthy and minimizes your chances of injury. Pilates also stimulates the production of joint lubricants, which can relax the muscles in your legs, back, neck, and shoulders, relieving pain and tightness.

7. Restore your pre-pregnancy body shape

Many women ask me why I still have such a flat belly after having two children. It doesn't take a long time, but you need to do some exercise regularly and you will see the effect. Muscles have a good memory, you only need to exercise a little bit and they will return to their original state.

Who is not suitable for Pilates?

1. Women during menstruation should not do Pilates to avoid strong compression of the abdomen. High impact and movements with the pelvis higher than the body can easily cause endometriosis and uterine prolapse.

2. People with poor platelet function or coagulation dysfunction may have their condition aggravated after practicing Pilates, so they should not practice it either.

3. People with arthritis, ligament damage, muscle stretching and other muscular system injuries should not practice Pilates.

Can Pilates help you lose weight?

Pilates can help you lose weight. When it comes to the difference between Pilates and yoga, the simplest way to put it is that Pilates is dynamic while yoga is static. Of course, you also need to raise your hands and legs when doing yoga, but the focus is on getting into a certain position and then using your strength, balance, and toughness to maintain that position.