Why Pilates?

Whether you are a runner, cyclists, swimmer, gymnast, or just an average person I believe that Pilates will have a positive influence on your fitness and individual goals. But why?

First off, I will give a definition of what Pilates actually is. I found this definition on dictionary.com but many other sites offer other great explanations of Pilates.

Definition: a method of physical and mental exercise involving stretches and breathing that focus on strengthening the abdominal core.

For the past 2 years, I have devoted much of my fitness routine to Pilates. Pilates truly does focus on the strength of your abdominal core, it keeps your body in balance. All of your strength starts at your core because your core is not only your abs but also your back, especially your lower back. With a strong core the rest of your body will be able to function efficiently because your posture will be improved and you will feel far less fatigued. 

The other thing about Pilates that many people may not be aware of is that is creates an after burn. With cardio, you are burning calories on the spot. With strength training, you will continuously burn calories throughout the day and in turn boost your metabolism. For this reason, I believe that an effective fitness program incorporates both cardio and strength training. 

I would like to challenge anyone reading this to devote 10 minutes a day to core strengthening. You can find 10 minute Pilates abs workouts on youtube for free, follow printable workouts online, or even use a fitness DVD. You will be happily impressed with the effectiveness of working your core for only 10 minutes a day and we all have 10 minutes to spare! You can do your core work while watching tv or take that time right when you wake up in the morning. Whenever it is, you will soon realize that it is worth it and hopefully discover the magic of Pilates :)