Five Reasons to Give Pilates a Try

Pilates is a kind of exercise built around strength, flexibility and good posture. It’s low-impact, so it works for most fitness levels, and you don’t have to be in shape before you start. Here’s what it can help with.

1. Strength. Pilates works your whole body: your core, glutes, arms and legs. If you do it regularly, you’ll likely get stronger and have more stamina, which you’ll notice carrying groceries or getting up off the floor.
2. Flexibility. The movements are slow and controlled, and a lot of them stretch you as you go. Over time that can loosen you up and give you more range of motion. That can help you avoid injury.
3. Posture. Pilates pays close attention to alignment, meaning how you hold yourself while you move. Better posture may help with some kinds of back pain. And as your core gets stronger, your balance usually improves too.
4. Knowing what your body is doing. You have to focus on each movement, so you start noticing how you stand, sit and move. That can help your form in other exercise, too.
5. Stress. Every session has controlled breathing in it and asks you to stay focused, so for a lot of people it’s a good way to unwind.

If you’ve been meaning to try it and keep putting it off, a beginner class is a fine place to start. It’s gentle on your joints, and nobody expects you to know what you’re doing the first time.