Does Pilates Work? - The Basics of Pilates Exercise and Training System

If you are wondering "does Pilates work?" looking at it may be a very good idea. We all are aware that Pilates exercise and training system is a popular program. It is a fitness program that focuses on stretching, strengthening and balancing of the different areas of the body.

Pilates makes use of a system or sets of body specific exercises that is practiced along with focused breathing patterns. The exercises also help in teaching proper breathing awareness while doing them.

The Pilates fitness system also helps aid spine alignment. The exercises in the Pilates system also aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles that are more commonly known as the "core". So, if you are wondering "does Pilates work?" I think you can say with safety that it does.

1. The history of Pilates:

The Pilates system was first developed by a German by the name of Joseph Pilates sometime during the First World War. In the system that is now widely known by his last name, the aim was to help improve the rehabilitation program being provided for the returning war veterans.

This type of fitness regimen was proposed to make use of only a few and precise movements. This makes it a more convenient fitness regimen, especially for injured soldiers. The Pilates fitness system focuses more on control and form, adding a mental aspect to fitness. A primary aim then was to help injured soldiers to regain their strength as well as to stabilize some of the body's key muscles.

2. Mental Aspect:

At first, Joseph Pilates called this new fitness system Contrology. The term was chosen because he believed that the new method and its exercises needed to make use of the mind more often in order to control the muscles to achieve the perfect execution and form of each type of exercise.

The aim was to make the mind work closely together with the body in order to allow movements with grace and balance, but with the least amount of movement possible. It is important in the Pilates system that practitioners to always pay close attention to the body as it moves when doing the exercises.

3. Breathing:

Another aspect of Pilates is that Joseph Pilates believed that good blood circulation is very important for having a healthy body. The blood needs to circulate properly in order for the body to function more efficiently. Good circulation helps with regenerating the cells in the body. Good circulation also helps a lot in getting rid of waste products in cells and tissues. These are the waste products that are usually related to fatigue.

One way for good circulation to do its work properly is through proper breathing. As the blood circulating in the body needs to be rich in oxygen and be free of waste gases, proper breathing is vital.

Pilates believed that proper breathing and good circulation go hand in hand. And because of this the practice of proper breathing is an important part of each Pilates exercise.

If at one point a person stops breathing for a moment during a certain set of exercise, then it is considered as a problem. The person may be doing something wrong in the specific Pilates exercise.

4. Core Focus:

The Pilates exercise and training system also focuses on strengthening the group of muscles usually referred to as the "core". This group of muscles which is located in the center of the body includes the muscles in the hips, abdomen, lower back and the buttocks. The Pilates exercises focuses on building a more powerful core. This is where the body's energy is said to originate from.

So, if you look at everything addressed in Pilates I think you do not have to ask the question "does Pilates work" again. In the end the answer to this question will depend on want you need to get from Pilates.

Pilates Clothes Be Comfortable And Get Fit

Are you wondering, does Pilates work? Well, many says it does. If you are going to do Pilates, you have to get yourself some comfortable Pilates clothes so you can exercise in comfort. Of course, for Pilates to really work it needs to be part of a balanced program that includes a good diet. So, if you are wondering about Pilates because you are wondering "How Can I Lose Fat?' you have to think about both exercise and diet.

Pilates Clothes Be Comfortable And Get Fit

When you’re doing Pilates, clothes matter. The important thing when you’re doing these exercises, whether you’re on a Pilates machine or you’re doing the movements on your own, is to wear clothes that fit properly and are comfortable. No matter how fashionable a certain workout outfit might be, it’s not good Pilates clothes if you’re aware of being uncomfortable the whole time you’re exercising.


The answer to the question "Does Pilates Work?" is yeas, but to get the full benefit you have to wear comfortable Pilates clothes!

Choose clothes that aren’t too tight or too loose. This can take a little time in the fitting room at the store, because what seems to be all right while you’re standing up might not feel so great when you’re bending over or lying on your back.

When you try on the Pilates clothes you’d like to have, move around in the fitting room. Lift a leg and lift your arms. Bend over. Now think about how loose the pant legs are—if you’re on your back on a Pilates machine, how well could someone see up the your pant leg?  If it’s too loose, you could give them quite a show.

How low cut are your Pilates clothes?  When you bend over, does the cleavage become too revealing? Does the back pull up and possibly reveal more skin that you would like? If you’re wearing shorts, also consider what might show when you bend over, and how comfortable they might be if you bend and straighten repeatedly.

Because you will be on your back sometimes, and you will be rolling onto your back, think about any features on your Pilates clothes that could be uncomfortable. Any ties, buttons, beads or embellishments that will come between you and the floor could be potentially painful.

Don’t forget to consider your underwear—those are part of your Pilates clothes, too. A sports bra can offer extra support while dispensing with metal or plastic hooks against your back. You might not normally mind those hooks, but when you’re on your back on the floor, after a while they could dig into your back and become uncomfortable.

Some exercise clothes and workout tops are designed with a built-in bra for support while offering soft fabric with no bunches or embellishments. You could also opt for a regular, supportive bra with a clasp in front, if you don’t like sports bras.

Many people wear thong underwear because they’re comfortable—almost like wearing nothing at all. But are they really going to be comfortable for you to exercise in?  Some people like them, some don’t. You might consider regular full or bikini panties to avoid your underwear bunching and becoming uncomfortable. And go for plain, unembellished underwear, with no appliqués, jewels or other features, to be sure those won’t irritate you.

While it’s important that your clothes aren’t too tight and restricting, you also won’t want them to be too loose, especially if you’re exercising on Pilates machines where clothes that billow too much could get caught in the springs. If you’re in doubt, choose Pilates clothes that are just loose enough to allow you to move.

Pilates Clothes Be Comfortable And Get Fit. Pilates is just one aspect of the weight loss process. If you want to know How Can I Lose Fat? you will also have to go on a good diet. Exercise, such as Pilates, is only one part of the whole process.

So, for a good diet have a look at the page How Can I Lose Fat.

Does Pilates Work? Find Out With A A Pilates Mind And Body Workout

Does Pilates Work? Find Out With A A Pilates Mind And Body Workout!

If you are wondering, Does Pilates Work? You have to keep in mind that "Pilates mind" is the state of mind you get into during a Pilates workout. Think of it in much the same way as you think of the state of mind a person is supposed to have during yoga. Not quite like the runner’s high, Pilates mind is more a tranquil, refreshed state of awareness.

Do all who perform the exercises experience Pilates mind? Undoubtedly, no. Just as some people can run 5 miles without experiencing that sense of euphoria that can come from prolonged aerobic exercises and some people never quite get into the meditative aspects of yoga, not everyone will experience the serenity and sense of well-being that Pilates can give you. But, apart from the "Pilates mind" if you are wondering "Does Pilates Work," it will probably work for you even without the "Pilates minds."

Maybe that means Pilates just isn’t the ideal workout for them. Or maybe it just means that they’re not approaching the exercises in the right way. Because Pilates is an ideal exercise that can benefit everyone who tries it.

To fully experience Pilates with your mind and body in sync, it’s necessary to approach the Reformer machine (or your resistance bands, or simply the movements if you’re using no props) with a certain attitude.

Rather than the way a body builder might face that weight machine and start pulling and lifting, grunting and groaning his way through a set, let a sense of calmness come over you. Pilates is probably the most gentle and least strenuous workout you can do, with few repetitions necessary to get the benefits, so you’re not facing an agonizing session.

Try to develop a Pilates mind by taking deep, cleansing breaths before you begin and by breathing steadily and evenly throughout your workout. Much like yoga, the exercises you do will be more effective if you breathe properly.

As you do each movement, concentrate on doing it slowly and evenly. Feel your muscles relax and contract as you work your way through the Pilates movements. Aside from being low-impact, awareness of what you’re doing is a chief difference between Pilates and yoga, and many other exercises.

Rather than aerobics or other types of high-impact workouts where fast movement is the key to burning fat and calories and training your muscles, with Pilates you need to focus on each slow and controlled movement. If your movements are fast and erratic, you’re doing them incorrectly. And if you do them incorrectly, you won’t get the full benefit.

Develop a Pilates mind by imagining that you can feel your muscles lengthening and contracting. With each movement, you can feel yourself growing stronger as your muscles tighten and become more efficient. The more you concentrate on exactly how you move and with what intensity, the more you’ll develop an attitude of awareness.

If you do that, your Pilates workouts will do more than tone your body and strengthen your core muscles. Soon, you’ll find yourself looking forward to Pilates because you will feel stronger after each session, and not just physically. Once you learn to use your Pilates mind, you’ll find yourself mentally refreshed and relaxed after each workout, too.