Joseph Pilates, the creator of the pilates exercise concept was a sickly child. He suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. At the age of 14 he remedied his health status by engaging in exercise and body building, and in doing so, became the model for anatomical drawings.

With determination and dedication to his exercise, Pilates became skilled in sports like skiing, diving and gymnastics. In 1912 he worked as a self defense instructor for Scotland Yard, in England. When World War I came, Pilates, a German national, was named an “enemy alien” like most other German nationals at the time. During his capture, he started perfecting the methods of the Pilates exercise, and started teaching it to the other interns. He would make use of springs attached to hospital beds to enable bedridden patients to do exercise, with resistance. Pilates was first designed as a reconstructive form of exercise, mostly for those injured and unable to move freely, or else confined in a bed or a chair. The crude “exercise machines” was the basis for his later designs.

The benefits of Pilates

Most people, regardless of age and physical activity level, can benefit from Pilates exercise programs. These programs not only have amazing health benefits, but also increase self-confidence and over all well-being. Why do Pilates exercise programs have such amazing benefits?

First, pilates strengthens the core of the body. It works the deep stabilizing musculature closest to the spine and similar muscles in the abdominal region. These muscles are termed the core musculature and consists mainly of the transverse abdominis and multifidus muscles This core affects your entire body. You will be more stable when standing, walking and sitting. You will also have better posture when your core muscles are strengthened. And, of course, a strong core results in a smooth, toned belly.

Once you have your core strengthened, it is easier and more comfortable to sit properly. When your posture improves as a result of a pilates exercise program you will find that your back is more comfortable. If your back is starting to arch, it is likely exert compression on the spinal segments. This is helped by pilate’s exercises, because they lengthen the spine and encourage you to sit and stand with a lengthened stabile spine. Pilates increases your mind body awareness. In order to successfully perform a pilates exercise program, you must have your mind fully engaged in the activity.

Pilates exercises results in long muscles. Why is this a benefit? Because instead of working just one muscle group with your exercise, you work the entire body with just about every move. The focus is on controlling your body, not working it to death. This results in a pleasing look that is long and slim, rather than bulked up around large muscle groups. This is a major benefit of Pilates over most other strength training exercise programs.

Because Pilates is a low impact workout, anyone can participate. Finally, working a Pilates exercise program greatly increases your flexibility, while strengthening muscles at the same time. Many strength training programs only focus on strengthening, not flexibility. This creates muscles that are easily injured, because the tendons are so unflexible. Pilates provides flexibility training in conjunction with strength training.

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