Pilates is one of the sports disciplines that have grown the most in recent years. Specifically, they are exercises that do not focus on the high number of repetitions, but rather on precision. The important thing when practicing this method is that each movement is carried out perfectly.
To achieve this, it is essential to make good use of the muscle nucleus, which within the field of fitness is known as powerhouse. Just below the ribs the most important muscles begin, ending below the pelvis. All this group influences the correct performance of the various movements. Only by doing them well do you get the many benefits of Pilates, which we will describe below.
Before detailing them, it is noteworthy that all of them are obtainable regardless of the method by which you choose to do Pilates: alone and accompanied, with accessories / machines or without external elements, etc.
Pilates benefits
✅ The muscular contraction that is achieved by doing regular Pilates sessions leads to generating a traction of the bone system, which acquires a greater density. Thanks to this, there are many bones that become stronger than before, with all the positive that it entails.
✅ As if that were not enough, Pilates also helps those who suffer from certain types of injuries, especially in the knees, being able to recover before them. This is demonstrated by those who tear their ligaments or suffer from a problem in the meniscus. This exercise acts as if it were an analgesic, providing the affected part with the mobility that it needs to gradually recover.
✅ Regarding the joints, they also improve very noticeably. On the other hand, the muscles benefit from the stretching to which they are constantly subjected, granting great flexibility to the whole body.
✅ It is noteworthy that women can benefit a lot from this muscle strengthening, specifically those who have just given birth or suffer the consequences of menopause. The pelvic floor is in an optimal state, thus avoiding incontinence.
✅ In turn, Pilates eliminates back pain. How do you get it? Simply correcting your postures not only when sitting, but also when walking. Both the abdomen, the shoulders and the chest are kept in the proper posture, which you internalize as you do more and more sessions of this discipline.
✅ Having mentioned pregnancy, it is appreciated the strengthening that Pilates provides to certain muscles, for example those that are responsible for keeping the uterus well attached. In addition, the delivery itself becomes more bearable, being the result of another benefit that is summarized in breathing better. We have written a specific article on this topic:
✅ It is incompatible to do Pilates exercises well without each movement being accompanied by optimal breathing. On a day-to-day basis, this ends up helping all those who practice it, although even more so for women who give birth.
✅ To all that has already been mentioned, we must add the state of relaxation that is obtained with Pilates. Thanks to this, it is possible to concentrate to the maximum of your ability for those tasks that need your full attention.
Pilates contraindications
Unfortunately, not all people can enjoy the benefits of Pilates, since unlike other sports such as Zumba, it has many contraindications.
One of the few that share both exercises is that of being overweight, although in the case of Pilates many others are added. If you suffer from coronary artery disease, inguinal hernia, any type of arthritis or low bone density due to osteoporosis, avoid Pilates, no matter how beneficial it may be. And it is that perhaps it would end up being harmful to you.
It is also not advisable for those who have undergone recent surgery to perform it, specifically if the intervention took place less than a year ago. In addition, Pilates is contraindicated for those people who have one or more open wounds, as well as those who have excessive eye pressure.
If you do not suffer from any of these conditions, you can get all the benefits of Pilates without harming you in the least. To do this, make sure you do half-hour sessions every two days, as well as stretching before and after.