Pilates

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How can Pilates help you?

The health benefits of Pilates include:

  • Improved Flexibility
  • Increased Muscle Strength and Tone, particularly of your ‘core’ abdominal muscles, lower back, hips, and buttocks 
  • Balanced Muscular Strength on both sides of your body
  • Enhanced Muscular Control of your back and limbs
  • Improved Stabilization of your Spine
  • Improved Posture
  • Rehabilitation or Prevention of Injuries related to muscle imbalances
  • Improved Physical Coordination and Balance
  • Relaxation of your Shoulders, Neck, and Upper Back
  • Safe Rehabilitation of Joint and Spinal Injuries
  • Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries
  • Increased Lung Capacity and Circulation through deep breathing
  • Improved Concentration
  • Increased Body Awareness
  • Stress Management and Relaxation (Better Health, Government of Australia)
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Overview

Pilates (pronounced: puh lah teez) is a system of exercises and body conditioning designed to improve physical strength, stability, flexibility, and posture, along with enhancing mental awareness.

It is typically performed on a floor mat or with the use of specialized apparatus that specifically work on strengthening the muscles—especially the torso-stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower back.

Pilates focuses on trying to relax muscles which are tense and provide strengthening of the numerous muscles of the body. (Better Health, Government of Australia)

The Pilates Method provides fitness training for the thinking body. 

Joseph H. Pilates created this system of movement based upon his principles of whole-body health, whole body commitment, and breath.

Pilates exercises are designed to re-educate the body to move in a healthier and more functional way, addressing the coordination of movement throughout the whole body. Today, Pilates is recognized by many health professionals as providing an excellent bridge between physiotherapy treatments and returning to functional movement. (The Vancouver Pilates Centre – Canada’s first Pilates Centre, founded in 1985)

Pilates is a structured, low-impact form of exercise that combines precise moves and specific breathing techniques. It is deep breathing with gentle stretching to boost strength, balance, and mobility. Workouts target your “powerhouse” (your abs, lower back, pelvic floor, hips, and glutes), but you’ll hit other areas too.

 Founder Joseph H. Pilates and his wife Clara developed this exercise system to help World War I soldiers restore their inner strength (both literally and figuratively), and millions of practitioners worldwide swear by its mind-body benefits to this day.

Traditionally, Pilates is considered to be more active than yoga. In yoga you tend to hold static poses; in Pilates you keep a steady pace. Breathing techniques also differ. (Prevention)

Pilates is a method of exercise that consists of low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength, and muscle balance. Pilates is named for its creator, Joseph Pilates, who developed the exercises in the 1920s.

A Pilates routine generally includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control, and endurance, including exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns, and balanced flexibility and strength. It can also be helpful in training for sports or in physical rehabilitation.

Explore the Research

We believe you should have access to high-quality research to help you make informed health decisions. Below are four trusted databases you can use as tools to expand your healthcare knowledge.