The importance of doing Pilates

What is the Pilates method and what is it for?

The Pilates technique is named after its creator, Joseph Hubertus Pilates, born in 1883. Pilates is a physical training discipline whose main focus is improving posture, working and strengthening the spine, together with breathing and strengthening the abdomen and pelvic floor. With practice, students develop the mind-body connection and become more and more aware of their bodies.

The technique is based on a set of basic principles you will always find in classes: concentration, breathing, centring, control, precision and flowing movement. There are mat Pilates classes and machine Pilates classes. The machines, also created by Pilates himself, were invented and built to complement the work done on the mat and train students better. Today you can practise Pilates in online or in-person classes. A new form is facial Pilates, which consists of specific exercises to lift and strengthen the muscles of the face and neck and also help prevent future problems in the cervical spine.

Aesthetic benefits

Pilates can also bring aesthetic benefits, such as:

• Slimmer, more toned legs.
• Firmer, more toned arms and abdomen.
• A slimmer waist and lifted glutes.
• Better posture, as it strengthens all the back muscles and works on correct alignment.

Health benefits

The benefits of the Pilates method for women's health are:

• It helps prevent back problems and lets you improve your quality of life if you suffer from specific complaints in the spine or the muscles around it.
• It improves breathing and concentration.
• It increases flexibility.
• It is perfect for preventing injuries and keeping existing ones under control.
• It helps fight osteoporosis: more than half of women over 50 suffer a hip, wrist or vertebral fracture (the most common) during their lifetime.
• Practising Pilates strengthens the muscles and helps balance, correct posture and movement coordination; it also helps reduce accidents and brings other benefits that improve health and quality of life.
• It helps prevent incontinence: Pilates helps in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction.
• It helps you face the menopause. The menopause often affects physical health and is usually associated with weight gain, loss of bone density and some psychological changes.
• With Pilates we improve our strength and tone our muscles to avoid losing muscle mass; it also improves our sex life.
• It helps you sleep better thanks to the breathing and concentration work involved in the training.

« In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference and in 30 your body will have completely changed. » – Joseph Hubertus Pilates