Pilates, a method of exercise emphasizing controlled movement and breathing exercises, was developed over a century ago. Now with more than ten million dedicated fans in the US, Pilates has also become a favorite pastime for a number of A-list celebrities. The exercise technique has obviously proven to be way more than just a temporary fad. So what is it about Pilates that leaves celebrities and friends looking so toned and fit? In addition to improving your physical appearance, Pilates also offers amazing benefits for your mental and emotional health! Here are 5 reasons why you should start Pilates today.
Be Lean and Fit Rather than Big and Bulky
Many people refrain from lifting weights in their exercise regimen. Women, in particular, are usually afraid of developing a physique resembling Mr. Clean. However, some form of weight lifting is crucial to keep your muscles strong. Luckily, Pilates strengthens your muscles while only using your body weight as resistance. This method makes you toned and fit, without making you look too bulky. Also, working out your muscles makes you less likely to suffer from osteoporosis during old age!
Total Body Work Out
The various exercises in Pilates target your whole body. You can work out various muscle groups during an exercise routine. Plus, as you build muscle mass to replace fat tissue, your metabolism speeds up. This means you can eat more calories without gaining extra weight. Or if you are looking to lose weight, your body will burn calories much faster!
Build Your POWERHOUSE
Pilates focuses on building the core, also known as your powerhouse. Many health experts claim building your core is the most important precursor to strengthening your other muscles. A strong powerhouse makes it easier to work out your back muscles as well as your upper arms. With a strong core, you can more easily and successfully engage in other athletic activities too. In fact, some professional football and basketball players claim Pilates has changed their lives!
Convenience Leads to Consistency
Do you frequently travel for work? Do you think gym memberships are unnecessarily expensive? Pilates can save the day! Everyone has a right to good health your busy work schedule and budget shouldn't interfere with that right. Pilates requires very little, inexpensive equipment. You can invest in a mat and band for less than $40. Plus, you can do your Pilates exercises from the convenience of your living room or even your hotel. You may want to buy a video that goes over some exercises with you. Once you get the hang of things, you'll be able to them on your own.
Mental Health
In general, most exercises provide a wealth of benefits for your brain and emotions. When your body is working hard, it releases endorphins, which leave you feeling refreshed and happy. Pilates goes a step further. Because you must concentrate on your breathing while building your powerhouse, you become more aware of your body and what it needs. Plus, intense concentration on your breathing patterns can help you target the right muscles and do exercises correctly! Become in tune with your own body today add Pilates to your work out.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Kitty Holman, who writes on the topics of nursing colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Know Your Pilates Studio by Eric Stevenson
While choosing a Pilates trainer is an important task, choosing the right studio is also critical. The best studios or gyms are clean and well-maintained, but it pays to be aware of some of the potential dangers that shared exercise facilities might pose.
Asbestos
By the nature of their construction, gyms and Pilates studios may be difficult to heat. Large, open rooms and high ceilings allow heat to dissipate easily, so large or sophisticated HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) systems and heavy insulation may be required to regulate the temperature. If the building was constructed prior to the 1980s, the ducts, pipe coverings, insulation, even the walls and floor might contain asbestos, a thread-like mineral once widely used for its heat-resistant properties.
As long as these building materials are intact, they do not pose a hazard, but if they become broken and damaged, they can release asbestos fibers into the air. Once these fibers are inhaled, they can cause serious health problems including a rare and fatal form of cancer called mesothelioma. Unfortunately, symptoms of mesothelioma are often confused with those of less threatening conditions until the cancer has advanced into its final stages, making it difficult to treat.
MRSA
Skin infections can be another hazard of Pilates studios. Staphylococcus bacteria thrive in warm, wet places on the body such as the buttocks, armpits, groin, and neck, but can also survive on the dry surfaces of Pilates mats and other equipment. Many strains of this type of bacteria are relatively harmless, though some may cause serious problems if the infection gets into the bloodstream. The gravest threat is posed by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which can be deadly if it enters the blood through any small break in the skin. As its name implies, this bacterium is so deadly because it is resistant to all but a very few types of antibiotics and may even develop resistance to these if they are overused.
Staying Healthy
While mesothelioma life expectancy is very low and MRSA infections cause more deaths than any other infectious disease tracked by the CDC, there are simple precautions that can greatly lessen your risk for these diseases. Look around to make sure your studio’s walls, floors, and ventilation systems are in good condition. If the building is being renovated, ask whether the construction materials have been tested for asbestos. If you are still concerned, consider trying another studio or doing whatever exercises you can at home until the renovations are complete.
Even if you take a mat-only class, you will likely need to use some of the studio’s own equipment. The CDC recommends thoroughly cleaning shared exercise equipment both before and after using it. Many studios will provide disinfectant sprays or wipes for this purpose. If your studio does not, ask the staff or bring your own wipes. Alcohol is an effective sanitizer, even against MRSA, and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers will not contribute to the drug-resistance of the bacteria. Be sure to cover all cuts or skin abrasions when working out and clean them well when you are finished. Any redness, swelling, or tenderness of the skin, especially around a pre-existing wound, should be examined by a doctor.
These risks should not distract you from your usual Pilates workout, but a few simple precautions can prevent some serious health problems later on.
Asbestos
By the nature of their construction, gyms and Pilates studios may be difficult to heat. Large, open rooms and high ceilings allow heat to dissipate easily, so large or sophisticated HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) systems and heavy insulation may be required to regulate the temperature. If the building was constructed prior to the 1980s, the ducts, pipe coverings, insulation, even the walls and floor might contain asbestos, a thread-like mineral once widely used for its heat-resistant properties.
As long as these building materials are intact, they do not pose a hazard, but if they become broken and damaged, they can release asbestos fibers into the air. Once these fibers are inhaled, they can cause serious health problems including a rare and fatal form of cancer called mesothelioma. Unfortunately, symptoms of mesothelioma are often confused with those of less threatening conditions until the cancer has advanced into its final stages, making it difficult to treat.
MRSA
Skin infections can be another hazard of Pilates studios. Staphylococcus bacteria thrive in warm, wet places on the body such as the buttocks, armpits, groin, and neck, but can also survive on the dry surfaces of Pilates mats and other equipment. Many strains of this type of bacteria are relatively harmless, though some may cause serious problems if the infection gets into the bloodstream. The gravest threat is posed by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which can be deadly if it enters the blood through any small break in the skin. As its name implies, this bacterium is so deadly because it is resistant to all but a very few types of antibiotics and may even develop resistance to these if they are overused.
Staying Healthy
While mesothelioma life expectancy is very low and MRSA infections cause more deaths than any other infectious disease tracked by the CDC, there are simple precautions that can greatly lessen your risk for these diseases. Look around to make sure your studio’s walls, floors, and ventilation systems are in good condition. If the building is being renovated, ask whether the construction materials have been tested for asbestos. If you are still concerned, consider trying another studio or doing whatever exercises you can at home until the renovations are complete.
Even if you take a mat-only class, you will likely need to use some of the studio’s own equipment. The CDC recommends thoroughly cleaning shared exercise equipment both before and after using it. Many studios will provide disinfectant sprays or wipes for this purpose. If your studio does not, ask the staff or bring your own wipes. Alcohol is an effective sanitizer, even against MRSA, and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers will not contribute to the drug-resistance of the bacteria. Be sure to cover all cuts or skin abrasions when working out and clean them well when you are finished. Any redness, swelling, or tenderness of the skin, especially around a pre-existing wound, should be examined by a doctor.
These risks should not distract you from your usual Pilates workout, but a few simple precautions can prevent some serious health problems later on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)