Posted By : Admin / On : November 14, 2022 / In : Health,mental health
Pilates is a form of exercise that has been around for centuries. It was originally called Contrology and developed by Joseph Pilates during WW1 when he began using hospital beds to help people recover from injuries.
When he later moved to New York, it became a way to improve the strength and mobility of dancers.
It is now one of the most popular forms of exercise, and for good reason!
The movements and sequences within the sessions mean that pilates helps mobility by improving your flexibility and balance. It is a great form of exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels. (Especially when our team of amazing trainers ensure they offer something for everyone!)
So, if you’re looking to get out and about a little more or improve an aspect of your mobility and strength – keep reading to find out how this popular exercise could benefit you.
Flexibility is the ability of your joints to move through a full range of motion. This means that your muscles, tendons and ligaments must be able to stretch sufficiently to allow for this movement.
There are many benefits that come with being flexible – from improved posture and reduced risk of injury to increased blood flow and circulation throughout the body. Pilates is a great way to improve flexibility as it uses controlled movements and gentle stretching to target key areas.
While flexibility refers to the range of motion in your joints, mobility is a little different. It takes into account both the strength and control you have over every little movement. It relies on some level of flexibility to allow your joints to move through their full range.
Mobility is important for everyday activities such as reaching, bending and lifting. It can also help reduce the risk of injuries, as having good mobility means that your muscles and joints are able to move through their full range of motion with more ease and control.
The idea is to achieve better control over your body and each movement you want to carry out. Every exercise is designed to target a specific muscle group, meaning that you are working on building strength in those areas.
One of the main focuses of this type of exercise is core strength. A strong core helps to improve your posture and stabilises your spine. This can in turn help to reduce pain in the lower back and improve your balance.
All movement stems from the centre of your body. It is the part of you offering the most support and explosive power. Working on this improvement will be a great starting point for better overall mobility and is beneficial for absolutely everyone.
Core stability is necessary for sitting up, maintaining balance when walking, twisting, turning and so many other small things we take for granted. You don’t need to be an athlete to build this part of your body – it should be part of your main focus all the time.
Pilates helps mobility by also targeting the muscles around the hips. Strong hip muscles help with activities such as squatting, climbing stairs and getting in and out of the car.
There are a number of different exercises that help to tone and build the muscles in this area, as well as improve your range of motion. This is important not only for athletes or people who regularly work out, but for everyday life too. Strong hips can help you avoid injuries and pain in the lower back and knees.
The main thing to remember is that pilates focuses on the correct movements – not lots of movement. So even if you’re just starting out and building your body up, it will allow you to improve at your own pace. It’s about the quality of the movement, something we can all practise.
Additionally, pilates works on lengthening and stretching the muscles. This helps to improve flexibility and range of motion in the joints, further aiding mobility. The focus on breathwork within pilates also helps to oxygenate the blood and release tension from the muscles.
This is why it’s such a popular form of exercise for those who want to improve their mobility and flexibility, as well as their overall strength and fitness. It’s a low-impact form of exercise which can be tailored to your own needs and abilities, making it perfect for all levels.
Proprioception is the ability to know where your body is in space. It’s what allows you to touch your nose with your eyes closed, or walk without looking at your feet.
This may not seem like it has much to do with mobility, but proprioception is actually one of the key components. Having good awareness means that your body is able to react quickly and efficiently to changes in balance or movement. This can again help you avoid falls and injuries, as well as improve your overall coordination.
One of the ways pilates helps mobility and proprioception by working on balance and single-leg exercises. This forces you to engage your core muscles and maintain control over your body.
This term refers to the muscle lengthening as it contracts. This type of movement is actually more beneficial for building strength than the concentric (when the muscle shortens as it contracts).
Our reformer lengthen classes are a great example of this. The aim of the slower, more restorative classes are to stretch and mobile your body – lengthening the muscles as we go.
This also has the added benefit of reducing risk of injury, as eccentric movements are less likely to cause strain on the muscles and joints.
Our reformers allow stretches to be taken past the point you would usually be able to achieve without assistance. This means you get a far more comprehensive and restorative stretch than any other workout. Getting your body moving in a comfortable manner will ease away any tightness and ensure you’re feeling more at one with your body.
Pilates helps mobility by acting as an extremely efficient form of exercise. Not only does it work on multiple areas of fitness, but it also helps to improve your posture and alignment. This in turn can help you move more efficiently in everyday life, as well as during other forms of exercise.
When your body is correctly aligned, the muscles are able to work at their optimum level. This means you use less energy overall, making any activity feel easier. Pilates can therefore help to improve your stamina and endurance, as well as your strength.
Additionally, the focus on breathwork ensures that you’re getting the most oxygen possible to the muscles. This not only helps with recovery but also allows you to work harder for longer.
Oxygen is essential for the muscles to contract and continue working as efficiently as possible. The deep breathing also has a calming effect on the body, helping to reduce stress levels and tension.
Pilates is therefore not only a great form of exercise for improving mobility, but also for aiding recovery and reducing stress. It’s the perfect way to keep your body moving, no matter what your level or ability.
One final way that we can help you stay limber at The Pilates Movement is through the use of Power Plate massage devices. We sell them in the studio and they use vibrations to help relax and warm up the muscles. They can be used before or after a workout, and can also help with recovery.
The vibrations help to increase blood flow and oxygen to the muscles, as well as break down any knots or tension. This can again help you move more freely and without pain.
Massage can help improve the elasticity of your muscles, allowing them to stretch and move further. It’s the perfect way to complement your Pilates practice and ensure you’re getting the most out of your body.
We understand, it’s just words! Why not come and join us at The Pilates Movement for classes that are tailored to your specific needs? Our Reformer Control, Reformer Jump & Control and Reformer Lengthen classes are suitable for anyone and everyone.
Our trainers will ensure they understand your level of fitness and ability when it comes to each movement.
We also offer private personal training sessions for those who want a little more attention or to work on specific areas and goals. Book a class today and see the difference pilates can make.
We have an introductory offer that you just don’t want to miss, and refer a friend for a free session! There’s nothing to lose, come and try it for yourself.
The Pilates Movement
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