13 Feb Need Motivation? Here are the Top 10 Benefits of Classical Pilates
It’s 2024! If you’re feeling it’s time to start moving more, getting stronger and feeling better, look no further than starting your fitness journey with the new Flex Studio Singapore.
Flex – long known as the Home of Intelligent Fitness in Hong Kong – is dedicated to the teaching of Classical Pilates; exactly how Joseph Pilates himself wanted it to be taught. Why?
Because it’s a well-proven system that works holistically, and keeps on working long after you’ve left the studio.
If you want to know how Classical Pilates can change your body, mind and everyday life, here are the top 10 benefits that consistent practice can achieve.
Enjoy!
A Firmer Backside
Aside from aesthetics, strengthening your glutes is essential to stabilizing the pelvis when running, walking, skiing, or just about anything done on your legs. Strong butt muscles also protect your back from overuse.
You’ll get great results when work your butt on the reformer machine.
“Pilates takes a full body approach to exercise, and your glutes will benefit hugely from almost all the exercises undertaken on the Reformers at Flex,” says Heather Thomas, Flex Singapore founder. “There is a requirement for control, and the largest muscle in the body (gluteus maximus) is there to help.”
For example, Hundreds – traditionally Joseph Pilates’ first exercise in the system. This is a butt-strengthening powerhouse of an exercise. Done properly and consistently, you will see and feel the benefits pretty quickly.
Reduce (or get rid of) Back Pain
A lot of back pain is a result of faulty posture and a sedentary lifestyle. Pilates addresses muscle imbalances that typically contribute to back pain, such as weak abdominals and glutes. Importantly, Pilates also stretches out tight and overworked back muscles. (Also Read: Pilates Save My Back – and changed my career)
Furthermore, proper alignment is essential in alleviating back pain. If you do Classical Pilates carefully, you’ll understand how to use your body in ways that protect your back from injury. The system is one of the best methods you can use to keep your back healthy, regardless of your age or of other exercise regimens you have.
Longer and Leaner Musculature
Classical Pilates is ideal as a strength-training programme. Over time, it accentuate the length of the limbs and can change bulky muscles into longer and leaner ones. In general, Pilates should lengthen your muscles and make you look taller as well. Now tell us you don’t want that! (Also Read: Why You Need Functional Flexibility)
Better Posture
Of all the changes you may notice quickly, better posture is it. If you take the lessons seriously, you’ll stand and sit taller and look more elegant as a result. Some important rules to keep in mind include pulling your navel in toward your spine, keeping your head balanced on top of your hips (not forward or behind), lengthening the back of your neck, keeping your shoulders back and down while keeping your back wide.
A Flatter Tummy
The Classical system helps to reduce bulge by creating a habit of pulling your navel in toward your spine or scooping your abdominals. The most basic aspect of the Pilates method helps you to lose that notch in your belt. Applying simple Pilates techniques to your everyday life – when standing, walking and so on – will get your belly flatter for far longer.
More Flexibility
Pilates exercises stretch the muscles and joints while strengthening the body. Joseph Pilates always said: you are only as young as your spine is strong. Everyone has physical limitations that depend on age, genetics and lifestyle. Regular exercises in the system will help your body reach its potential in areas of flexibility and strength.
Greater Awareness
If anything, Pilates should give you improved body awareness. You may never have thought about pulling in your tummy, sitting up tall, or keeping your shoulder blades down away from your ears without your instructor constantly correcting your body organization. More importantly, you may never have been as conscious of the power of breath. The things you discover in Pilates will start to filter into your daily life, and you may find yourself correcting your habits naturally as a result.
Better Balance
Any gymnast knows that to keep from falling off the balance beam, you need to pull in your belly and squeeze “that silver dollar” in your butt. In order to achieve good balance, you’ll need to have a strong core, and know how to find it instinctively. Pilates exercises strengthen the core, and as a result give you increased coordination and balance.
Greater Strength
Classical Pilates works by utilizing a system of springs and pulley to provide resistance during exercise. During a session, the individual performs a series of controlled movements that engage multiple muscles groups; the springs provide resistance against these movement, challenging the muscles and requiring them to work harder. The resistance can be adjusted to match the individual’s strength and fitness level, making it suitable for people of all abilities. Plus, the springs create a dynamic and three-dimensional resistance.
This is unlike traditional weight training, where resistance is primarily in the vertical plane. Pilates spring-based training allows for resistance in multiple directions, improving functional strength, stability flexibility and body awareness, as the body is challenged to stabilize and control movements in various planes of motion.
For beginners, the adjustable resistance provided by the springs makes Pilates accessible for those who may have limited strength or mobility; the springs allows people to gradually build strength and progress at their own pace.
For athletes, Pilates can enhance performance by improving core strength, stability, flexibility and body control.
Boosts Energy and Mental Health
Pilates requires mindful breathing through each and every movement, and a rigorous focus on form. This gets you ‘out of your head’, not only decreasing stress, but with the increase in movement, your body releases the feel-good hormone, endorphin, and oxygenation and blood circulation are enhanced.
All this combined, you will walk out with an overall improvement in energy levels, and that is linked to an improvement in mood.
What are you waiting for? Book your Classical Pilates Trial now at any of our Flex Studios in Hong Kong and Singapore!
Flex Studio Hong Kong
Central : 3F Man Cheung Building 15-17 Wyndham Street, Central
T: 2813 2399 WA +852 5740 5103
Island South : Shops 2205 & 2209 One Island South 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang
T: 2813 2212 WA: +852 5740 9420
Flex Studio Singapore
Orchard : 390 Orchard Road 05-02 Palais Renaissance S 238871
WA: +65 9111 6855
