Are you looking for a new workout routine that can provide a good balance of flexibility? If so, experts recommend Pilates as a form of exercise. Apart from just flexibility, this form of exercise also comes with other benefits, such as improved strength, muscle tone, and pain relief.

Pilates is a low-impact workout effective at strengthening, lengthening, and toning your muscles through controlled, repetitive movements. It is said to have developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, after whom it was named. Pilates called his method "Contrology”. It is practiced worldwide, especially in Western countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Anicet Batura, an aquatic therapist at Centre Medical Orkide in Kimironko, says just like Yoga, one of Pilates’ greatest benefits is general well-being.

Many people confuse Yoga and Pilates, but it is essential to understand that Pilates focuses on trying to relax muscles which are tense and provide strengthening of the numerous muscles of the body, while yoga can be used for improving the flexibility of the body and it will also gradually increase the flexibility of your joints.

However, he notes, both forms of exercise involve balancing of muscle groups and core work, although Pilates focuses more on the exercises that get one that core work.

The benefits

Celestine Karangwa, a physiotherapist at Technology Clinic (TCM) in Remera, says scientifically, it has been proven that a Pilates workout promotes strength, balanced muscle development, flexibility, and increased range of motion for the joints.

He says that most of the time, Pilates can be found in rehabilitation settings as well as with athletes.

"This form of exercise helps when it comes to supporting full-body fitness, including breathing and the mind. It provides a level of integrative fitness that is hard to find elsewhere,” Karangwa says.

The good thing about Pilates, Karangwa says, is that anyone can carry out the exercise, regardless of age.

According to research, with thousands of possible exercises and modifications, Pilates workouts can be tailored to individual needs.

There are ways one can adapt to the exercises, and there are even specific considerations for Pilates for men or women during pregnancy, or if one has a current or past injury, or other particular concerns.

Also, different studies found that Pilates effectively strengthened the upper body, lower body, and abdominal muscles in a group of postmenopausal women.

Also, two Pilates sessions a week over three months has been shown to improve lower body strength, postural balance, and quality of life in older individuals.

Batura says Pilates also increases flexibility, as here, one works towards a safe increase in length and stretch of the muscles and range of motion within the joints.

He notes that having a body that can stretch and bend to meet the flow of life is a realistic and healthy goal, and this is what Pilates does.

In addition to this, he says that it has been proven that Pilates also helps develop core strength.

Here, Batura explains, the core muscles of the body are the deep muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvic floor. These muscles support a strong, supple back, good posture, and efficient movement patterns. 

"When the core is strong, the frame of the body is supported. The neck and shoulders can relax, and the rest of the muscles and joints are free to do their jobs,” he says.

Karangwa says, on the other hand, Pilates involves a variety of abdominal exercises, which help to improve not only the strength of the core muscles but also their endurance.

Pilates, medics say, also helps increase energy. Pilates gets the breath and circulation moving, stimulates the spine and muscles, and floods the body with the good feelings you get from exercising the whole body.

It is also believed that the more one exercises, the more energy they have. For those whose goal is to lose weight, Karangwa says this form of exercise can help with that.

This, he says, can be achieved if one practices Pilates regularly as it’s believed to change the body. Besides, it also helps improve muscle tone, balances musculature, supports beautiful posture and teaches you to move with ease, which in the end can make one feel strong and fit.

Combined with aerobics and a healthy eating plan, Pilates can be a prime weight loss and body toning tool.