Pilates is suitable for people of all ages, and can be performed by men, women, children, pregnant and elderly people who already practice some type of physical activity and also for the sedentary, helping to stretch and strengthen muscles, improve strength and flexibility of the whole body.
This activity requires coordination between the body and the mind and therefore it is necessary to concentrate a lot of concentration and control between the breathing for the correct realization of the movements, since Pilates works throughout the body, and the main muscles used the abdominals, glutes and back.
How To Do Pilates Exercises
There are 2 ways to practice the exercises, and can be performed on the ground using your own body weight and some instruments like weights, springs and balls, or using specific Pilates equipment. The two techniques bring several benefits such as weight loss, body set, increase strength, improve balance and flexibility but should be performed with guidance from an instructor, especially when the person has never practiced Pilates before.
Here are some Pilates exercises that help tone the body and lose belly.
Benefits of Pilates for Every Phase of Life
The main benefits of the Pilates method for each phase of life are listed below.
1. Pilates for the Elderly
Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise, ideal for older people with or without injuries to muscles, bones or tendons or who has not done any exercise recently. In addition, it helps maintain weight, increase flexibility, and improve coordination and balance.
2. Pilates for athletes
The Pilates method promotes the development of technique, strength and flexibility that contributes to a better performance in the practice of other sports such as soccer, tennis or bodybuilding, and can also help decrease sports injuries.
3. Pilates for children and teenagers
This method helps children learn the limits of their own body, develop muscles and gain flexibility and good breathing, contributing to a healthier growth and development.
4. Pilates for pregnant women
Pilates exercises bring benefits to pregnant women like strengthening muscles, reducing back pain and helping to prevent urinary incontinence, which is common in pregnancy. However, special attention must be paid because some exercises can lead to imbalance, favoring the fall. Here's a list of pilates exercises that pregnant women can do.
5. Pilates to recover from an injury
The practice of Pilates can help restore mobility following a trauma such as fractured bones, muscle dislocation, back pain, such as low back pain. However, in this case it is important that the classes are guided by the physiotherapist with knowledge of the method so that the best exercises can be performed to accelerate the recovery.
