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How To Use Pilates Exercises In Your Fitness Routine
A lot of people get yoga and pilates mixed up and it's understandable because they both do accomplish similar goals of strengthening the body and improving flexibility. But they approach the goal from different directions. Pilates is also a collection of postures and movements that are performed as a routine regularly, and results tend to show fairly quickly with pilates as opposed to yoga.
Pilates was developed by the man for whom it is named, Joseph Pilates. He overcame his childhood sicknesses through exercise and he developed the pilates system of exercise over several years. He eventually settled in New York City where he opened his first exercise studio and continued to teach the process until his death in 1967. His followers and students have continued on with his work afterward, and estimates are that around 5 million Americans practice pilates regularly today. Here are some sample free pilates exercises to help you learn more:
- The Beginner 100 - Lie flat on the floor with your knees raised and arms straight at your side. Slowly bring each knee toward your chest one at a time, then tuck your chin toward your chest so that you can see your stomach. Breathe in and start pumping your arms off the floor as if you were bouncing a ball. Breathe in for five pumps and then breathe out for five pumps. Do ten repititions of these exercises and that is why it is called the 100.
- The Double Leg Stretch - Lie flat on the floor with your hands gently cradling your head and elbows pointed upward enough that you can see them out of the corner of your eye. Slowly bring each leg up straight from the floor and then flexs the knees so that your legs are upright but relaxed. As you breathe out tuck your chin toward your chest and raise your head from the floor while extending your legs and straightening them as much as is comfortable for you. Breathe in and while breathing out gently lower your legs and head back to the starting position. This can be repaeted 5-10 times.
These free pilates exercises provided here should only be attempted if you are in good physical shape and if you have any question about that you should consult your doctor before trying them. There are several other pilates exercises that can be very beneficial if done together as a routine, but be sure that your doctor agrees with this kind of physical actibity for you.
As with yoga, pilates should be practiced every day if you want to see real benefits, and to really learn how to get a useful routine together you probably should attend some classes initially to have a good teacher show you how to do the movements that you will need for your own personal routine. Also as with yoga, many feel that pilates should be supplemented by some form of cardio exercise for maximum benefit.
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