Pilates is a type of mind-body exercise developed in the early 20th
century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, after whom it was
named.While Pilates has been around for nearly 100 years, it continues
gaining traction, picking up new devotees all the time. Part of the reason
it’s become such a popular mode of exercise is that it’s customizable to
fit you and your health goals, regardless of your age, sex, health status
and fitness level.
Pilates is a form of strength training, but it doesn’t look like some of
the other strength training exercises you might be familiar with. Pilates
focuses more on improving muscle tone than building muscles, but the
result is similar: greater stability and endurance. Pilates isn’t going to
bulk you up — if anything, it’s designed to cultivate a longer, leaner
look. Still, it can lay a strong physical foundation for muscle-building
activities — and may even reduce your likelihood of injury.
According to Bar, the benefits of Pilates are both therapeutic and preventive. The practice may help you recover from an existing injury or manage a chronic musculoskeletal issue. It may also help you establish a healthy baseline, so that when those injuries or issues arise, you’re able to bounce back faster.
One of the reasons Pilates is such a good workout is that it specifically focuses on building core strength. While most people consider their abdomen to be the core of their body, Bar points out that it extends well beyond that. It might be better to think in terms of your trunk.
Once again, our core is exactly what it sounds like: Our center. When we’re weak or out of alignment, it makes it harder to find our center of gravity, which can make us more prone to injury, especially in moments when we’re trying to perform multiple movements at once (coordination). By strengthening your core, Pilates may make it easier to find your balance — and maintain it.