Your First Pilates Class

Tip 1
The method of exercises known as Pilates has become very popular over the years for many reasons. Individuals who hear of others using the system of exercises or those who watch videos or read about the exercises become excited about the many benefits that are possible not only for the body but for the mind too.

Tip 2
The founder of Pilates, Joseph Pilates designed the 500 exercises in the program over an 80-year period of using the exercises, observing the benefits of the exercises and refining the exercises. He proclaimed that his exercises were founded in philosophical and theoretical beliefs.

Tip 3
When performing the exercises of Pilates individuals learn how to fuse mind and body to achieve a balance of graceful body movements that increase muscle strength, tone, and flexibility while bringing the individual more in tune with how each body part moves and interconnects with other parts.

Tip 4
Precision is gained by knowing that every movement executed while doing the Pilate's exercises, has a purpose. Those who participate in classes learn that it is not quantity of half-hearted tries that count but the few quality movement successes.

Tip 5
The Pilates exercises can elongate your muscles giving you incredible flexibility and strength. It can renew your energies and give you vitality in a day when everyone fights just to survive.

Tip 6
It is important for women to understand that if they are pregnant, many of the exercises normally done in Pilate classes may not be safe to perform while pregnant. Pilates may be used during pregnancy for fitness but only with the guidance of a trained expert in Pilates.

Tip 7
Pilates can foster weight loss by burning calories as you do the Pilates exercises. The amount of calories possible to burn will depend upon your body type and the intensity of your workout. The natural result of creating lean muscle is an increase in calorie-burning potential for your body.

Tip 8
It is important to note that working your Pilates on a regular basis may change the shape of your body without necessarily losing weight.
Tip 9
Many individual use Pilates to achieve a trim body, to gain better control over balance, and muscle strength. Boxers and dancers understand the connection between mind and body in order to achieve a body that is in sync with your ability to control movement. When your body is fit and trim; weight loss is a natural occurrence if you start out being overweight at the beginning of your Pilates program.
Tip 10
When using Pilates an individual learns how to use proper breathing, concentration and control in everyday situations and achieving this by training your mind to be acutely aware of what your body is doing including how you are breathing.

Tip 11
The total Pilates system uses both the floor mat and special equipment and can be used by individuals of all ages who have various health conditions. We are at our healthiest when our mind is in tuned with our body and also when we learn to breath properly. When we breathe correctly we can reduce most of our stress.

Tip 12
Regular Pilates elongates and also strengthens muscles, which in turn will improve muscle strength and joint mobility. When this occurs in the body there is less chance for injury during sports. Pilates helps individuals to develop a strong core (deep abdominal muscles closest to the spine), flat abdominal muscles, and a back that is strong.

Tip 13
To get a jump on things, it may be helpful to read up on Pilates before your first class, especially the terms that an instructor may use just so you won't feel like he/she is speaking a foreign language.

Tip 14
Those who have incorporated Pilates exercises into their everyday life have noticed improvements in the extent of their range of motion, the ability to be flexible, blood circulation has improved, abdominal strength has increased and posture has improved as well as noticing decreases in regards to back, joint or neck pain.

Tip 15

Pilates can assist teens in increasing blood circulation and sculpting their body. When a body is sculpted and fit, the teen has increased energy to accomplish other daily tasks.

Top Pilates Parables and the Real Truths Behind Them

Pilates is a fun and interesting way to get fit. However, because it is quite different from other fitness regiments, there are quite a few common misconceptions about this unique way of exercise. Sometimes, these misconceptions could be holding people back who could greatly benefit from all that Pilates has to offer. Here are some of the top Pilates parables and the real truth behind them:

1. Pilates was developed based on the Asian mind-body exercise of yoga. This is false! Joseph Pilates created this unique way of exercise in the 1920s as a way to rehabilitate injured soldiers in WWI. Soon, the exercises were adapted for dancers. While both Pilates and yoga require a mind-body connection, Pilates is more physical while yoga offers more zen-like mysticism. Plus, many of the moves are quite different and Pilates also uses spring resistance machines.

2. Pilates is a no-brainer and even couch potatoes could do it easily. Wrong! Pilates is a very physical exercise discipline. It has to be because of the mind over body connection. You have to be totally aware of your body ñ how the spine aligns and how you hold the rest of your body ñ in order to achieve any results.

Pilates is quite adaptable for various physical limitations which is why some people probably believe it is easy and wimpy people would have no problem. Because the exercises move at a slow pace to ensure every target muscle is being used properly, the illusion is that they are easy. Nothing could be further from the truth! You must have great flexibility and balance to pull off Pilates effortlessly. Just the concentration alone between the body and mind precludes wimpy people from being successful in Pilates.

3. Pilates was created for tone the abdominal muscles. This is totally not true! Ok, Pilates does tone the abdominal muscles creating definition and strength, but that is not all it does. Remember, Joseph Pilates created this exercise program as a way to rehabilitate injured soldiers. Therefore, the focus is on creating a strong core of muscles along the trunk of the body which include the spine, abdominals, pelvic area, and even hamstrings.

4. Pilates is a girly exercise program. Wrong! Pilates was developed by a man for soldiers (who were men) that required rehabilitation. The exercises that encompass Pilates are not gender based at all. This misconception got started because Pilates became popular with dancers, particularly ballet dancers, many of whom are women. Many women practice Pilates in fitness studios and gyms but as Pilates grows in popularity and more people understand its beneficial properties, more men will get started too.

5. Pilates is easy and anyone can teach it. This is entirely false! Pilates is very involved and requires intense concentration, focus, and knowledge of the human body. Only qualified instructors can teach Pilates so if you are interested in taking a class, ask the instructor where they got their start and earned their credentials.

Pilates is very beneficial to the body. However, you must have determination and dedication in order to learn it properly to maximize the benefits your body will reap.

Using Pilates as a Tool for Weight Loss

Did you know that Pilates is conducive to weight loss? It is a question that many people have, considering that the exercise program is a low impact one. If you have been rather sedentary, even beginning classes in Pilates are beneficial and will kick start your weight loss. But you have to remember that exercise alone is not going to peel off the weight. You also have to commit to eating fewer calories in a day and actually burning more than you consume. As your body becomes accustomed to Pilates, you will have to ramp up your workout in order to derive the same benefits as before.

Pick Up the Pace

While Pilates is primarily performed slowly, particularly when you first start out, there are ways to incorporate a little faster pace. Of course, you want to thoroughly understand the basic moves of Pilates and gain better concentration, inner focus, good alignment and stronger core muscles first. Then, you can look to the primary principles of breathing the flow of movement to ramp up your workout.

The best thing you can do is seek guidance from your Pilates instructor as to the best and safest way to pick up the pace on your Pilates routines. Perhaps your entire class might be ready for that step too and you would have some company! Otherwise, there are some things you can do at home to supplement your Pilates workout routine in the fitness studio.

At home, focus in on one or two basic routines that you have memorized on the mat. Concentrate on your breathing to ensure your movements are smooth and fluids. Once you are comfortable with a few basic routines, you can look for ways in each one to enhance the intensity a bit. You may have to incorporate other fitness practices into Pilates such as using an exercise ball when doing the mat exercises or even using a magic circle apparatus or a fitness band. Do not discount DVD recordings that focus on Pilates weight loss moves either. These DVDs may be able to give you additional ideas on how to intensify your workout for more calories burning.

Go through each routine you have at full strength, getting the most out of each move. Stretch a little further than you normally would instead of holding in a little reserve. Scoop a bit extra out with the abdominal exercises. Intensify your focus on breathing, creating more controlled and precise motions as these will certainly burn more calories on your quest for weight loss. Totally engaging yourself increases your intensity in the workout.

What is interesting is that many people who use Pilates equipment find that decreasing the resistance of the machines actually intensifies the workout, burning additional calories. The reasoning is it is more of a challenge to control your moves and maintain balance using your core muscles in this less resistant situation.

Another way to lose weight with Pilates is to add another day or two to your weekly workout routine. Sometimes, once or twice a week is not enough to lose the weight. If you cannot afford extra class time with an instructor, do your workouts at home, using a Pilates DVD for inspiration. Eventually you will have a suppler, graceful new body thanks to your efforts with Pilates.

The Benefits and Challenges of Pilates

People of all sporting disciplines and various walks of life are hearing about the benefits of Pilates. You likely hear about football and tennis players and other athletes incorporating Pilates into their regular workout routines just as much as regular people who just want to be physically fit. Many people now are touting the improvements they have seen in their own bodies after a regiment of Pilates exercises. Better circulation, flexibility, abdominal muscle strength, wider range of motion and better posture are all things reported which have helped ease pain in the joints, back and neck.

Thanks to many high profile people such as celebrities and athletes adopting Pilates as part of their exercise regime, it has become quite popular with many health clubs and fitness centers offering classes. Pilates is a safe, slow and patient way to better health, fitness and overall body connection. There is relatively little impact in Pilates which makes it great for people of limited mobility and health as well as limited physical abilities.

What Pilates does not do is promise weight loss, although it is an added benefit. It takes time for you to lose weight and usually requires eating fewer calories while at the same time engaging in activities that burns more calories than you consume. Pilates is not going to make you "feel the burn" so you will have to pair it with cardio and weight training to lose weight. What Pilates will do for you in your quest for weight loss is create a more supple and stronger body that is capable of weight loss with other methods as well as condition your body overall. It also offers these other benefits in general:

* Balance, core muscle strength and greater flexibility are three core benefits of Pilates that can carry into daily activities.
* Pilates creates great muscle tone and elongated, lean musculature without creating bulkiness.
* Your core abdominal muscles get quite a workout and are constantly challenged in Pilates with result being a stronger back and better posture.
* Body awareness and mental focus sharpens with Pilates and your mind is engaged on working your entire body.
* Pilates forces you to slow down in your workout which means you more likely to reduce stress and tension in the body while boosting your energy.
* With the slow, controlled movements of Pilates, you are far less likely to injure yourself, unlike other fitness regiments that incorporate higher impact activities.
* If you have strained muscles or are recovering from injury, Pilates is great for promoting injury recovery because of the slow, controlled movements and deep stretching involved.
* Your spine becomes stronger which parlays into better posture and less back pain.
* Circulation in the body improves with Pilates along with your stamina and overall agility.
* Because your body feels good with Pilates, this positive aspect of your health will bring positive changes in your outlook on life.
* Pilates is also a great complement to any other fitness regiment or sports training program.