National Pilates Day is celebrated every May, making it a great time to consider this route to improving one's health and well-being. The workout plan created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s is now regularly implemented by millions worldwide. The more people discover how it can help improve their health, the more they will want to try it. This summer is a great time to get started.
"The idea of Pilates intimidates many people are first," explains Jennifer Scherer, a registered dietitian nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. “This is because there is equipment they are unfamiliar with, and it's something new. Once they try it and see the results, they love it!"
Pilates is a workout system that uses 50 repeated exercises to exert the muscles. Some people use it for a gentle approach to strength training, while others use it more vigorously to enhance athletic performance or rehabilitation. Those who have tried it for a long time will likely experience many benefits.
Here are 5 reasons to give Pilates a try this summer:
Try something new. Deciding to try something different is exciting and interesting. It introduces people to things that they need to become more familiar with, which is good for the brain and motivational.
Promote healthy behaviors. In a study published in the April 2021 issue of the International Journal of Research and Public Health, researchers put Pilates and yoga to the test to see if doing it leads people to make healthier choices overall. They report that doing one of these exercises regularly leads to health-promoting behaviors and leads people to have more positive beliefs about their health status.
Have more robust bones and less pain. Doing Pilates regularly leads to stronger bones. Research published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation shared the research results to see if Pilates helps with bone strength in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. They concluded that Pilates increased bone mineral density and walking distance and helped to relieve pain.
Lose weight. Those looking to shed some weight this summer should consider trying Pilates. In a study published in the March 2021 issue of the journal Frontiers in Physiology, researchers reviewed the research on whether Pilates helps people lose weight. They concluded that Pilates dramatically reduces body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage in overweight or obese adults.
Aging Gracefully. The European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology, and Education reported in March 2022 that there are benefits to the elderly population taking up Pilates. Their study found that those over the age of 60 who started doing Pilates had an improvement in balance, strength, mobility, functional capacity, and mental and psychological health. They also report that it led to a reduction in the risk of falling. While people of any age can benefit from Pilates, this study shows that it's always possible to get started.
“I challenge people to take this summer to try Pilates and see what it does for them,” added Scherer. “If they don't see and feel the benefits by the end of summer, they can go back to what they were doing. But in my experience, I can say that they will love what happens after sticking with Pilates for a summer."
Fredericksburg Fitness Studio offers a reformer Pilates fitness training program, a fun and unique exercise method with many benefits. The reformer can be done sitting, standing, or lying down, which gives a great workout. The program helps with strength, flexibility, balance and coordination, core control, and more. To get more information about the reformer Pilates program, visit the site: https://www.fburgfitness.com/pilates-reformer
Fredericksburg Fitness Studio doesn't offer memberships as other gyms do. They offer private customized fitness programs that are available by appointment. Many people who go to the studio are referrals from physical therapists and doctors. The wellness professionals at the studio communicate with the medical teams to keep them up to date on patient progress. To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit the site: https://www.fburgfitness.com.
