Health Articles

‘In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll notice the difference and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body’ – Joseph Pilates.

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Whether you're a total Pilates pro or you've never stepped foot in a studio, Pilates benefits your mind, body and overall health. The Pilates method is designed to teach each person individually, with exercises that are often re-evaluated and modified to ensure they suit the specific person. Due to this individuality Pilates can suit everyone from elite athletes to people with restricted mobility, lower fitness levels and even pregnant women.

The health benefits of Pilates are endless.

Here are my top few:

1. Pilates can ease lower back pain

With over 80% of the population suffering from back pain in one form or another, relief and prevention has never been so important. A stronger core equates to a stronger back. Your core is the powerhouse of the entire body. Pilates focuses on strengthening and stabilising the core’s lumbar pelvic, improving mobility and alleviating stress and tension in the lower back region.

Check out our 4-week strengthening and stabilizing ‘Lower Back Strengthening’ series on the niix app.

2. It can prevent joint pain and discomfort

Low impact does not equate to low intensity. Pilates is a low impact form of activity but will still leave you working up a sweat while strengthening and toning the muscles.

These low impact workouts focus on slow, controlled and technique led movements taking the pressure off the back, knees and ankles (all while still burning major calories!).

3. Pilates helps with mental clarity

This is a big one for me.

A lot of the time, we think about exercise for our physical health but we rarely talk about the benefits and amazing impact it has on our mental health. The focus on our breath, our body and how they work in conjunction together really encourages us to concentrate and challenge our brain to connect the dots. During this time we are forcing ourselves and our brains to concentrate on the task in hand and therefore gain momentary relief from our daily life stresses.  This can really help improve our focus, concentration levels, productivity and give us general mental clarity and approach the day or next task with a positive attitude.

4. It does wonders for your sex life

Pilates is renowned for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor sits at the base of the abdomen and is attached to the pelvis. Strengthening and learning how to control these muscles can increase sensation and undoubtedly up your pleasure in the bedroom - not to mention the fact that Pilates makes you feel stronger, more flexible, confident and great about your body!

5. It can boost brain power

Creator of Pilates, Joseph Pilates, described this style of exercise as ‘the thinking man’s exercise’ primarily due to its ability to strengthen not only your body and core but also your brain! Research suggests that regular Pilates performance can increase the brain’s cognitive functions, memory and neural activity. Joseph noticed that a man balanced in mind, body and spirit was the greatest kind of man.

Our mental focus is channelled with each Pilates exercise, with an emphasis on the quality of each movement over quantity. As someone born in the Victorian era, Joseph was operating at a time when women weren't encouraged to be active and strong; this form of exercise is massively beneficial to people of all genders!