Alright, I’ll be brutally honest here, I was never convinced that Pilates is an actual form of working out. As someone whose life revolves around spending a couple of hours at the gym lifting weights, anytime a friend told me, ‘Let’s try a Pilates class soon!’, I’d bolt the other way! Only when I took a couple of classes while on vacation, I realised that there’s more to this workout than meets the eye!
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There’s a reason why celebrities like Meghan Markle, Adele, Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone swear by this workout. “Pilates stands out from other kinds of workouts because it focuses entirely on improving your mind-body connection using core exercises and intense functional movements,” says Yasmin Karachiwala, celebrity Pilates master to the likes of Deepika Padukone and Ananya Panday. Workouts such as strength training and HIIT are often extremely high-impact and not meant for everyone, while Pilates is comparatively a low-impact workout that can be done by anyone and everyone!
Benefits Of Pilates
Improved Core Strength
Our core is way more functional than we think it is. It doesn’t just include the abdominal muscles but also the lower back and glutes. While we may equate a stronger core with the visibility of abs, functionally it helps us do everything—stand, sit, and lift things! Karachiwala explains that Pilates targets the deepest muscles of the core, including the back and pelvic floor, all of which improves core strength and even posture.
Increased Body Flexibility
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If you thought yoga was the only way to increase body flexibility, think again! Pilates helps build muscle around your joints, slowly making them more mobile. Consistent Pilates workouts make your muscles move smoother than usual, improving flexibility. Karachiwala adds that these workouts also increase your range of motion, accustoming muscles to movement and making them flexible.
Prevention Of Injury
“All thanks to its emphasis on core strength and balanced muscular strength, Pilates can help prevent injuries. Since it’s a low-impact workout, your muscles and joints don’t have to go through extreme exercises,” elaborates Karachiwala. Pilates often incorporates exercises that help improve your stability and mobility, aligning your muscles so they’re strong enough.
Promotes Body Awareness
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How many forms of exercise ensure that you’re perfectly in tune with your body while building strength at the same time? “Since these workouts are slower compared to other workouts, they give you the time and space to understand how your body moves. It makes you listen to what it’s saying, unlike usual workouts that rush you,” adds Karachiwala.
Who Is It For?
Pilates is a form of workout that’s everyone, regardless of their age or level of fitness. “One of the key reasons Pilates is accessible to even beginners is because it’s adaptable,” says Karachiwala. Every exercise under Pilates can be modified to accommodate different fitness levels and abilities. “This means that beginners can start with workouts that are more suitable to their current strength and flexibility, gradually progressing to more challenging movements as they become more proficient”, explains Karachiwala.
Another aspect that makes Pilates a versatile workout is its highly low-impact nature. Unlike strength training, HIIT or resistance training, these workouts don’t put pressure on joints. “Pilates is gentle and safe for people who may have never exercised a day in their life and for people with joint sensitivities,” Karachiwala concludes.
