Raved about by celebrities and endorsed by sport stars across the globe, Pilates has become a staple workout for many due to its wide-ranging benefits. Maria Tracey rolls out her mat and hops onto the reformer to discover the perks.
Are you a Pilates virgin? If so then you might associate it with impossible poses and smug celebrities. However, if you thought their toned tums and pert posteriors were entirely down to Photoshop then you'd be entirely wrong: Pilates is popular among the body beautiful for a reason: it works.
In fact, once embraced, Pilates can make a significant difference to a person's health without taking a toll on their body as it involves conscious breathing, and proper alignment. Created by German-born Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s, Pilates helps develop a strong core, lengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups in the body in a balanced fashion, improves sports performance and prevents injuries. Read more
Are you a Pilates virgin? If so then you might associate it with impossible poses and smug celebrities. However, if you thought their toned tums and pert posteriors were entirely down to Photoshop then you'd be entirely wrong: Pilates is popular among the body beautiful for a reason: it works.
In fact, once embraced, Pilates can make a significant difference to a person's health without taking a toll on their body as it involves conscious breathing, and proper alignment. Created by German-born Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s, Pilates helps develop a strong core, lengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups in the body in a balanced fashion, improves sports performance and prevents injuries. Read more
