If you are trying to find a new gym class to motivate you to get off the couch and back in shape this summer, why not consider Pilates? Similar to yoga in many respects, Pilates is a type of exercise that uses special equipment and poses that emphasize your body’s core. Through specific poses and exercises, Pilates works to develop much of what people need – strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, coordination, balance, and good posture. And a bonus? Pilates comes with a much lower risk of injury than with many other forms of exercises. As a luxury Arlington gym, Fitness Nation offers Pilates class, which is designed to help you achieve your health and weight loss goals. When it comes to Pilates, correct form is more of an emphasis than going for the burn and holding a pose until you can’t possibly hold it any longer. You will find that our Pilates classes require you to engage your entire body, working to strengthen one muscle while stretching another at the same time.

Now that we’ve touched on what, exactly, Pilates is, let’s look at some of the main health benefits of these types of classes. Regardless of whether you have gone to a Pilates class before or are a beginner, you will quickly find that this form of exercise can truly make a difference in your health without taking a toll on your body.

Benefit #1: Helps you develop a strong core, flat abdominals, and a strong back. As we’ve mentioned, Pilates exercises are largely based around developing a strong core or center of the body. The core consists of the deep ab muscles as well as the muscles closest to the spine. By performing moves and poses that are intended to strengthen these muscles, it will leave you feel stronger and better all around.

Benefit #2: Helps you achieve lean, long muscles and flexibility. Pilates differs from more conventional or traditional types of workouts that are weight bearing because the exercises in pilates classes work to elongate and strengthen muscles. Furthermore, these types of exercises will improve muscle elasticity and joint mobility. People who have more balanced strength and flexibility are far less likely to be injured.

Benefit #3: Improves your posture. Another benefit of Pilates is that is helps to improve posture. In fact, better posture is something that Pilates can pretty much guarantee and many people notice a difference after just a couple of Pilates workouts.

Benefit #4: Less back pain. Many people do not realize this, but most back pain comes from poor posture and a sedentary lifestyle. Pilates exercises get at the muscle imbalances that oftentimes contribute to back pain, namely weak ab and butt muscles. By taking a Pilates class at our Arlington gym, you will learn how to use your body in ways that will protect your back from injury and, in turn, prevent pain.

Benefit #5: Better balance. As with yoga, Pilates works to improve your overall balance. In order to have good balance, you need to have a strong core, which is the main goal of Pilates.

These are just a couple of the top health benefits of Pilates, however, there are many, many more that our knowledgeable Arlington Pilates instructors can tell you about. To learn more about our Pilates offerings, come in and see us today!