Can I Do Pilates If I’ve Barely Exercised In Years?
Pilates is a style of training that was created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s as a form of rehabilitation. It was perfect for injured soldiers, people suffering from arthritis, aches and pains, etc.
Pilates became so popular that it took the world by storm and even till today you can find Pilates classes being conducted in most of the commercial gyms.
The entire concept of Pilates revolves around helping bedridden people get strong and healthy enough to move about freely and without pain. That makes Pilates one of the best forms of exercise for people who have led sedentary lives for years.
If bedridden people can recover and benefit from this style of training, there is absolutely no reason why the average person who has been inactive can’t benefit.
You can definitely start doing Pilates even if you’ve hardly exercised before. In fact, it’s recommended that you start with Pilates rather than jumping into a strenuous CrossFit or HIIT program.
Let’s look at how Pilates will benefit you.
Pilates helps to align the body and promotes better balance
By doing Pilates, the different poses and moves will help your body to align the muscles, ligaments and joints. Since most people do not get enough exercise, there is misalignment in the body that results in aches, pains and restricted or impaired movements.
Most people notice that their posture improves after several sessions of Pilates and they no longer have a paunch. Their abdominal muscles have developed enough strength to hold the organs in. As a result, there’s less pressure on the back which leads to relief from back aches.
Pilates improves flexibility
It’s inevitable to get stiffer and less flexible as we age. This is mostly due to a sedentary lifestyle that makes us move within a limited range of motion. Since the body doesn’t get a chance to move much, we become less supple and flexible.
Pilates corrects all that and improves your flexibility because the moves require you to stretch and move through a wide range of motion.
Pilates will make you stronger
Muscle atrophy is part and parcel of aging. If you do not engage your muscles enough, it will wither and you will lose strength. The beauty of Pilates is that it uses your bodyweight as a form of resistance training to tone and strengthen your muscles.
After 2 or 3 months of Pilates training, you’ll notice more definition in your muscles and more overall strength. You’ll be able to execute the moves fluidly and hold the poses without quivering or trembling.
Even people who have not exercised in years can start doing Pilates and move at their own pace. There is no rush with this style of training. You will not pant, gasp or end up breathless from intense cardio. Pilates is all about slow, controlled movements that allow you to progress slowly but surely.
If you’ve been inactive for years and you’re thinking of embarking on an exercise program, Pilates has your name written all over it. Go ahead and give it a try. You will enjoy it so much that you’ll wish you had started earlier. Get on board now.