Struggling to lose weight and maintain a healthy body are challenges affecting millions of people all around the world, and just as many hours as there are people, are spent looking for new, effective and enjoyable ways to get trimmer, quicker. However, there are no real quick fixes to the problem of weight loss, and while you might be able to lose weight quickly with an extreme diet or fitness regime, slow and steady is a much safer and effective way to lose weight, and keep it off.
A balanced diet coupled with regular exercise is the tried and tested method for successful weight loss, and by changing what you eat and attending regular Pilates Classes, you could get the results you want, with a lot less huff, puff and sweat!
Pilates for beginners
With a focus on strengthening the body, Pilates encourages you to connect your body with your mind, through a series of focused exercises aimed to enhance your posture, flexibility and balance. Aerobic or non-aerobic, it demands precise movements of the body that present a far lower risk if injury than other forms of exercise that are more strenuous.
You can choose between classical Pilates that takes place on a yoga mat, or reformer Pilates, that involves specialist resistance equipment.
What are the benefits of Pilates?
By focusing on your core strength, flexibility and posture, you can reap the following rewards:
- Improved flexibility
- Enhanced muscle strength
- Better posture
- Injury prevention
- Reduction in stress
Can Pilates help you lose weight?
A low-impact type of work-out that helps you to improve your posture, flexibility and muscle tone, Pilates can help you lose weight when paired with a nutritious, balanced diet.
While it is true that Pilates in the traditional form doesn’t burn as many calories as other activities that are more aerobic in nature, it can certainly help you maintain a healthier lifestyle, and even reduce stress levels; these often cause overeating or unhealthy food choices, and make you feel inclined to exercise, too. So, if looking at the overall picture of your general health, instead of just at your weight, Pilates can be extremely effective, provided you attend classes regularly or practise at home with an online class.
Reformer Pilates, on the other hand, helps you burn more calories as more muscles are involved, and your heart rate is more likely to be elevated. If you’re new to Pilates, it would be best to try a beginner Pilates class, which can introduce you to the form of exercise slowly and help you build up your strength and confidence. Then, once you’ve mastered some of the moves and can feel it making a difference to your body and mind, you can progress to Reformer Pilates.
It’s important to remember that while Pilates is a wonderfully simple and effective form of exercise that can help you become more physically fit and active, it probably won’t be responsible for helping you lose much weight if not accompanied by a healthy, balanced diet and some other forms of calorie-burning exercise.
