Want to Tone and Slim? You need this Celeb Workout!

“Fads, quick fixes, or a one size fits all approach when it comes to working out is a waste of your time and money and could also result in injury,” says Heather Thomas, Flex Singapore founder.

“We know what works, how it will best work for you and your body’s requirements, and how you can go about realizing your potential,” says Heather.

“If you want results, you need expert guidance and an enjoyable process to ensure continued motivation.”

At Flex, we offer a system called Classical Pilates. This flow of exercises has been producing fantastic health and fitness benefits for a century, is a favourite of multiple celebrities and famous sportspeople, and gaining general popularity every year for a reason.

For example, Pilates is the fastest-growing exercise genre in Australia and New Zealand, experiencing 250 per cent growth in the 12 months to September 2022. Its popularity is 2.8 times that of the next-best genre in Australia, which is yoga, according to Forbes magazine.

There are, however, common myths still abounding when it comes to Pilates, two of them being that it doesn’t help you lose weight or build muscle.

“In fact, Pilates is functional exercise, in that it strengthens and elongates muscles that we utilize in our everyday life, sports or any physical activity,” says Heather.

“Involving focus, breathing, adherence to the system, establishing a strong knowledge of the core, and a tailored approach to what you need, the entire body benefits from the Classical sequences.

“As a result, Pilates exercises accentuate the length of the limbs and changes bulky muscles into longer and leaner ones. In general, Pilates exercises should lengthen your muscles and make you look taller as well.”

At Flex, we see all shapes, sizes and fitness levels, and everyone who sticks with the program sees marked change.

“Over time, you tone, firm and sculpt every muscle of the body, especially the waist, as much of Pilates is focused on constant engagement of the core muscles, primarily as they protect the spine,” adds Heather.

“But alongside this, you reduce pain, improve posture, and gain strength. That’s why its popularity continues today.”

But don’t just take our word for it. According to Medical News Today, Pilates is designed to “build strength and muscle tissue”. It adds that this is something referred to as body recomposition, which helps people build lean muscle mass and raise their basal metabolic rate (BMR), enabling them to burn more calories, including when they are static or resting.

“Improving body composition through consistent muscle strengthening techniques can help build lean muscle and reduce body fat, also often resulting in weight loss.” The article states. “This is something that Pilates can facilitate through its core movements and philosophy of mindfulness between a person and their body.”

As for the Holy Grail of a slim waist, if you’ve just had your first baby, Flex Pilates post-natal classes are the place to go.