Pilates is taking over the internet by storm. It is all over my for you page on TikTok, and I am here to tell you the reasons why Pilates is so popular.
When seeing all of the biggest celebrities doing Pilates, it made me curious as to what was so good about it. Here’s what I found out from researching, as well as what I have experienced myself trying Pilates for the past few months.
1. Pilates is low impact
Pilates is slow and controlled movements that are gentle on your body whilst still getting an amazing workout!
Low impact workouts lower your cortisol levels (aka your stress hormone). This is amazing because healthy cortisol levels regulates weight, appetite and metabolism. But if cortisol levels are too high, this can cause stress, anxiety, digestive issues, overall unhappy hormones.
Pilates allows you to focus on your breath awareness, which is also good for being present in the moment and lowering stress and anxiety.
You will appear more lean.
This is because cortisol stores water, so by lowering your cortisol levels you will appear leaner and more toned as your body isn’t holding onto excess water.
Pilates also helps with lymphatic drainage from the twisting movements, which helps to get rid of toxins.
2. You can do Pilates from anywhere
You don’t need to be spending tons of money on classes or memberships, because you can do mat Pilates from home.
If you’re ever struggling with time, or you have a really busy schedule, it is so easy to do a 5-30 minute Pilates workout from home.
When I was on holiday and I wanted to do a quick workout, I would get a short Pilates workout up on YouTube, and I felt amazing afterward!
Here are my favourite ones on YouTube:
- Move with Nicole https://youtube.com/@MoveWithNicole
- Fitbymik https://youtube.com/@fitbymik
- Boho beautiful https://youtube.com/@bohobeautiful
- Eleni Fit https://youtube.com/@EleniFit
- Flow with Mira https://youtube.com/@FlowWithMira
This brings me to my next point…
3. It’s sustainable and attainable
Being able to do Pilates anywhere with little to no equipment means that is is always accessible and always a good option.
It means that you are less likely to fall off or make excuses as to why you can’t exercise.
You can do it when you’re older! As your body gets older, you are more prone to injury. Pilates is amazing because of how low impact it is, there is less risk of hurting yourself. This means you will still be able to do it when you’re older.
It’s also good if you’re wanting to cycle sync your workouts – Pilates is always a good option during most of your cycle! See more about cycle syncing here: http://bigsisterera.com/how-to-use-cycle-syncing-to-get-rid-of-your-acne-in-4-months/
If you’re looking to get some good Pilates equipment here’s my recommendations:
4. Better posture, balance and mobility
If you’re sitting at a desk all day, Pilates is amazing if you feel tight and in need of a stretch. It will help your posture that has been hunched over a desk all day! It will get rid of any pain and it may also make you appear taller.
Circling back to my previous comment about being able to do it when your older… if you start now, your posture will be amazing when you’re older! Even if you start when you’re older, your posture will get better and you will overall feel healthier and stronger.
I have noticed a huge difference in my flexibility and mobility since doing Pilates. I feel like I am lighter and able to move more gracefully, due to Pilates helping my posture.
5. Healthier mindset towards fitness
Before I tried Pilates, I thought I had to be doing at least 60 minute workouts, 5 times a week, burning a huge amount of calories to feel like I have accomplished something.
But with Pilates, it is intentionally slow and controlled, often you don’t even sweat. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good workout. After the workout, I feel energised and ready for the day. It has helped me not hyper fixate on the number of calories burnt, and solely focus on my breath and the controlled movement.
If you try it, I guarantee you will be shaking and questioning your strength.
I look forward to other workouts like strength training, but sometimes I feel burnt out and exhausted just thinking about it.
I have never had that with pilates. Every pilates class is a challenge don’t get me wrong, but knowing that it is gentle on the body, and knowing you can do a 20 minute workout and still feel great after is amazing.
It feels less strict. When I was consistently weight lifting, I followed a workout plan of the same exercises, that I would do for at least 4 weeks, increasing the weight every week. (Which I loved doing for so long, but after a while I began to lose my passion for it). And I was tracking my calories, making sure I was eating within a certain number. I love weight lifting now, but back then I felt restricted and I felt a lot of pressure.
With pilates (and learning cycle syncing) I don’t feel restricted anymore. I don’t feel like I need to track my calories anymore. Overall, I feel more free, therefore enjoying my workouts more. It has also brought back my love for strength training, as to has taken out a lot of the restriction and pressure.
I feel more in tune and accepting of my body because of how intentional and graceful it is.
It has helped me become more intuitive and treat my body more kindly.
6. It compliments strength training
Pilates goes alongside strength training so well!
Your strong core from Pilates helps with a lot of movements in strength training where you have to brace your core.
It can also help you lift heavier as a strong core is the key to a lot of heavy movements.
Because of how helpful it has been for my flexibility and mobility, it has improved my range of motion and depth when doing exercises like squats, RDLs, lunges etc.
It will help with mind to muscle connection when doing your strength training. Pilates focuses on mind to muscle connection, so when you’re doing your strength training, you can be more focused on the muscle.
It also helps with your breathing during your strength training, as Pilates is heavily focused on breathing. Sometimes when doing strength training I forget to focus on my breath. Pilates has helped me intentionally breathe during my workouts.
So I definitely understand where the hype around Pilates is coming from. It’s an amazing workout, one that I would recommend. I have felt amazing after the past few months of doing it!
If you try Pilates leave a comment below and tell me how it goes! And if you have any other workouts you recommend, feel free to leave that down below too! <3
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