Pilates exercises benefit core strength and tone muscles. Strengthen the ab and back muscles using Pilates exercises withexpert tips from a yoga instructor in this free fitness video. Expert: Ashley Ludman Contact: www.yogash.wordpress.com Bio: Ashley Ludman is co-owner and director of Seaside Yoga. She has been leading yoga teacher trainings and retreats since 2002. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC
Pilates is an exercise which is commonly performed on a mat. It is an exercise without resistance. Beginners usually confused with the exercise since Pilates uses different method from other exercises. This exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in 1900s. This exercise can result in weight loss and give emphasis to hips, lower back, abdominals, and thighs.
Pilates is an exercise method which is commonly done to gain better posture and increase muscle strength, core, coordination, and flexibility. Commonly the exercises are performed using Pilates workout exercise equipments or simply using a mat. The Pilates equipments are required to help beginners in finding core muscles. Nowadays, stability ball is also used to bring balance challenge. The balance challenge makes core muscle activated.
You might also find Pilates chair which is featured with pedals and platform. Beginner Pilates workout program can stand on the pedals while holding its platform. The proficiency of using Pilates chair will increase and you will not need to hold the platform. The common Pilates workout equipments are Cadillac, reformer, Wunda chair, arc barrel, total gym and cable, tower, stability ball, Bosu, and fitness circle.
]]>
Reformer is the most popular type of Pilates equipment. This unit has traps, moving carriage, jump board, and also foot bar. You can adjust the resistance level by removing or adding more springs. The springs are coded with color to know the resistance level of your workout progress.
Cadillac is usually called as trapeze table which has four poles. It comes with accessories attached to the poles. The accessories which you can find are bars, straps, and springs. This unit works for every part of your body.
Stability ball is good to bring balance challenge to you. This unit brings effective training on deep core musculature. The core is the basis of Pilates exercise technique. You can use the stability ball with resistance bands and cable for better stimulation.
Bosu is like an Arc barrel which is usually used for arc barrel exercises. You can also use Bosu for side-bending exercise. It can also be used for people who perform side-leg exercise to prevent discomfort when lying on the floor.
Commonly, the side-laying exercise is intended to train outer thigh which can cause muscular imbalance. It is crucial to activate inner thigh muscles for better knee and pelvic stability. We often see beginners of Pilates exercise have trouble with Pilates Roll-Up. The Pilates Roll-Up is a full sit up position which is a little hard to be performed by newbie. If you are using Pilates reformer you can wrap the band around your feet and try to roll to the upright position.
The benefits of doing this exercise are posture improvement, muscle toning, better flexibility, stronger core, great balance and coordination, and many more. You can also burn calories by doing Pilates workout. It is very healthy and useful to make you feel healthier for better quality of life.
Diet.com fitness videos show you how to workout burning the most calories in the least amount of time. Tone your stomach, butt and arms with this circuit training workout. Best of all, you don’t have to go to the gym because no equipment is needed and (02:25)
Exercise bikes are still preferred by most fitness conscious people who want a low impact workout with high safety and comfort. Some positive features of upright exercise bikes are their hill climbing and sprinting capabilities. The Endurance B3U Upright Exercise Bike is a commercial type exercise bike that is self powered and moderately priced. The company provides life time warranty on all parts ensuring you life time cardio fitness without need to invest in other exercise machines …
This machine works your entire body. If you have never taken Pilates don’t let that discourage you. The exercises are fairly simple, but the exertion & workout is harder than it looks! Just remember to “engage your core muscles” and you’ll feel it.
Any suggestions on sturdy barn equipment to stand up to a cribber?
My horse has a habit of using his corner feeder to crib on. As a result, he’s destroyed two of them within the last week. Does anyone have any recommendation as to where I can purchase a new food bin skilled of standing up to his tough treatment?…
From early in his term, President Obama emphasized his commitment to improving the health and wellness of federal employees. And it wasn’t an empty promise.
Generally everyone knows what a trampoline is. Though, a number of people may not be informed about the trampoline’s little cousin, the mini trampoline. They are very useful and may be utilized for a variety of activities. Read on so we can describe a lot of the many benefits of utilizing a mini trampoline.
Looking to get into shape for the holidays? Discover how the Schwinn 460 elliptical machine can help you achieve your fitness goals the same it has helped other individuals.
For then just a fitness machine the recumbent exercise bike is the most popular exercise bike for home use. With style, affordability and quality to match the exercise bike is a must have for beginners.
The best-selling exercise machine the Proform Exercise is quickly becoming a household name with its affordability, style and effectiveness to help beginners lose weight and get into shape. See why it’s an American favourite.
Football tables or maybe foosball is probably the finest practical table games obtainable. A foosball table pressures any worthwhile rival. Pool tables UK is yet another fun means of enjoyment featuring eyesight and also hand expertise.
Are you interested in culinary arts? Your interest in culinary arts maybe based on many factors. There are people who are interested in culinary arts because they are interested in the salaries of the high rank chefs. Of course, the locations of the company, restaurant, hotel, or other affect the range of salary received by the chef. Those who work in small cities tend to get smaller salaries than those who work in the big cities.
Talking about fitness is talking about body and shape which is closely related to weight and health. Fitness itself denote to workout with various gym and fitness equipment. You can have various equipments to support your activity but you need to have an instructor to help you work with your equipment.
Used wheelchair lift is one of the most preferred alternatives of all people. This chair offers less expensive than if you buy a new one. This equipment is the most important equipment to be placed in your house if you have disability or old people.
Aerobic is one of the best exercises to burn fat. You will be able to keep your health and keep in shape. Experts say that this activity is able to increase your heart rate. This activity is said as the optimum way to tone our muscle.
Water fitness equipment will be very important if you do your exercise mostly in water. You can find various kinds of water equipment to make a safety exercise. As we know that exercise is one of the most important activities to make you in shape and healthier life. You can do this activity whenever you want to swim in your pool.
From the early days of Pilates being taught directly by the inventor to the student, it has been passed down and inevitably changed over the years – a bit like Chinese Whispers! Each person who trains to teach it has their own unique approach, each certification course is slightly different, but the original principles and exercises are still the basis of each method.
The principles are explained in detail in Beginner Book 1 @ www.pilates2goonline.com. If you follow the principles of Pilates you will eventually reap the benefits.
STRONGER ABDOMINAL AND BACK MUSCLES Instead of associating Pilates with Flat Abs we should think of it as helping to achieve a stronger, healthier back and body.
One of the benefits of Pilates is the increased amount of strength that can be achieved in the ‘core’ of the body. The core muscles of the body are the deep muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvic floor. When the core is strong, the frame of the body is supported, and the rest of the muscles and joints are able to work more efficiently.
Core training improves the look of the abdominal area, although usually when people are looking to achieve flat abs, they really need to lose weight. You can achieve extremely strong abdominal and back muscles through Pilates but still not be able to see any definition because it is hidden under extra fat
A CHANGE IN BODY SHAPE If you want to lose weight, the formula is always the same. You have to burn more calories than you take in. As a whole body fitness method Pilates can help you do that, but you should combine it with some sort of aerobic activity, which is more efficient at burning fat.
Pilates really does change the shape of the body by building leaner muscles instead of bulky ones.
Pilates tones the entire body during each session, instead of specific spots. This will help your whole body to look tighter.
As the focus is on your core, your waist may lose inches, you will stand taller, your muscles will tone up and become leaner, and your clothes might feel looser.
However, you will probably still weigh the same. It will be an optical illusion that you have lost weight, unless you have combined Pilates with a diet and some other training.
BETTER POSTURE The core muscle which support your spine include your Transversus Abdominis , the internal and external Obliques, the Multifidus and all the muscles that run along your spine, and the muscles around your shoulders. Evenly developed back muscles and strong abs help to support your spine and improve your posture. There are 33 bones in the spine called vertebrae. There are 7 in the neck, called the cervical spine, 12 thoracic (upper back) – 6 lumbar (lower back) – 5 sacrum (pelvis) which make up the natural curves of the spine, and 3 coccyx (tailbone).
If there is too much or too little curve in your spine, or if the curves do not balance properly with one another, your posture will be poor.
Weak upper back strength can cause the upper body to fold in on itself, which can cause physical ailments such as digestive problems, poor circulation, low energy and lower back pain.
Poor posture can also drain you of energy. If the spine is incorrectly balanced, some muscles will need to work harder to keep the body upright all day long, whereas others will become weaker.
Pilates exercises are performed in a neutral spine position. This balances the spinal curves, and the exercises encourage even back and abdominal muscle strength and flexibility, which helps us to stand upright.
Pilates also works muscles in the legs and bottom – if these are tight, this can also lead to postural problems. The upper body is also worked so that the muscle structure of the whole body becomes stronger.
]]>
PILATES FOR OLDER ADULTS Pilates is easily accessible to all. You can arrange the exercises to suite your individual needs. The benefits of pilates have been particularly noted in older adults who are more likely to suffer stiff and painful joints.
Pilates can increase their range of motion and overall muscle strength, and is very low impact.
You should never feel pain while practicing pilates. If you are suffering from any long-term injuries or pain, you should always consult a doctor before you start.
Pilates was designed to progress from one exercise to another in a specific order. If you find one exercise is causing you problems, start again and keep working at it until you can do it to the best of your ability.
Take your time and do not try to make your body do things it has not done for a while all on the same day.
LONGER, LEANER LOOKING MUSCLES Pilates cannot physically lengthen muscles. To do this your bones would need to grow longer. Pilates tones and stretches the muscles which can make you look longer and leaner.
Pilates is not about building bulky muscles for show, it is more about building toned, strong muscles that work perfectly throughout the whole body. In most workouts, the emphasis is on repeatedly shortening the muscle by working it against a force. This builds strong muscles but gives them a bulky look.
Pilates uses all three kinds of muscle contractions: eccentric (lengthening), concentric (shortening), and isometric (static) as do most forms of exercise.
However when we do Pilates there is more emphasis on the eccentric contraction and the muscle lengthens.
During Pilates exercises we strive for extra length in our movements, when this takes place it also helps to strengthen the deeper stabilising muscles which uses the whole body, not just sections of muscles.
IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY
Pilates leads to a safe increase in length and stretch of the muscles, and range of motion within the joints. We are aiming for a body that can stretch and bend to meet the needs of every day life.
You will not become flexible overnight. Work at it and gradually. Increase the length of your reach, keep the movements slow and graceful.
Try to give yourself time every day and get into a routine.
Keep it balanced. If you stretch on the left, also stretch on the right and if you bend forwards, bend backwards as well.
INCREASED ENERGY The more you exercise, the more energy you have. The more energy you have the more exercise you want to do.
Pilates works closely with breathing which gets the blood flowing through the muscles and encourages the body to get rid of waste. Pilates improves your posture, which leads to better use of the lungs and a more balanced muscle structure.
When your body is more balanced and your muscles do not have to overwork, you will have more energy.
REDUCED STRESS If you are stressed you may not feel like exercising. If you try to set up a routine for Pilates everyday and be consistent about it you will feel more energised after your session and will be allot less stressed. How many times have you thought you could not be bothered to do something, but after making the effort you feel so much better.
Pilates can increase the levels of certain mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in your brain.
It releases muscle tension by stretching and pumping the muscles.
If you exercise regularly, it can help you sleep better which makes you more able to deal with stress.
Pilates requires a great deal of concentration and focus which stops you thinking about whatever it is that is making you stressed.
If you start to see results from your workouts and your health and body improves, your mood will be lifted and you will feel better about everything. The mind-body connection is fundamental to the study and practice of pilates.
BODY AWARENESS Joseph Pilates said that Pilates is about “the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” He studied yoga, martial arts, and other ancient mind-body activities as well as more sporty activities.
Pilates helps tone and strengthen your body as well as your mind and spirit.
The precise, flowing movements of Pilates are designed to make you more aware of your body.
You will find after you have been practicing Pilates for a while you will start to bring the principles into your every day activities. Perhaps when you are driving the car or sitting at the computer you will be pulling your stomach in, lifting your head up and pulling your shoulder blades together. You will become aware that this feels more comfortable and that you look better for it.
Lorraine is a qualified Pilates and fitness istructor with many years of teaching experience. To learn more about Lorraine and Beginner Pilates exercises visit website www.pilates2goonline.com
]]>
Questions and Answers
Ask our experts your Pilates related questions here…
Roll Up with the Mini Body Bar is a variation on the original Pilates exercise “Roll Up.” Using the Mini Body Bar can help individuals with tight lower backs roll up sequentially and smoothly through the spine, although its use does require more shoulder girdle stability. Mini Body Bars come in a range of weights, and we are using a 4 pound bar. This exercise tones and strengthens the abdominal muscles, increases flexibility of the spine and strengthens the shoulder girdle stabilizers. (02:06)
Half Roll Down with the Mini Body Bar is a variation of original Pilates exercises that helps strengthen the abdominal muscles and increases the flexibility of the spine. Be sure to choose a bar that is not too heavy (we use four pounds) as you do not want to over-challenge the shoulder girdle stabilizers! Adding biceps curls to this exercise targets both the arms and the abs…what could be better! (02:11)
Elbow Plank Twister is a variation of the Elbow Plank which is itself a variation of the original Pilates exercise Leg Pull Front. This variation further challenges the oblique abdominal muscles as the lower body rotates from side to side while the upper body remains stable. Elbow Plank Twister challenges the core, shrinks the waist and strengthens the shoulder girdle stabilizers.
(03:59)
Side Bends on the Ball is a variation on the original Pilates mat exercise Side Bends. This version is easier on the shoulder girdle, but because the ball adds instability, the core is challenged greatly here! Be sure to use the strength of your legs to help stabilize your torso and Side Bends on the Ball tones all the muscles of the body. (02:05)
Pilates is the exercise of choice for dancers, gymnasts, and a host of famous Hollywood celebrities, and now it finds itself firmly entrenched in the mainstream. Find out the top six benefits of pilates exercises.
Pilates is a wonderful way to build core strength, become more supple and generally feel fit and well. Discover the principles and many benefits of Pilates here.
Pilates pain relief exercises are different from general Pilates exercises as they are more specific. Some pointers are given on doing Pilates Pain Relief Exercises for the Neck, Back, Shoulders and Knees.
Pilates has been recommended by many doctors, physiotherapists, and chiropractors as a body conditioning and rehabilitation tool. Specific pilates exercises for pain relief offer better blood circulation, improved range of motion, and better body and mind connection.
Pilates is a fitness system, or methodology, first created by a man called Joseph Pilates. Depending on who you learn it from and how deep you go into it, practicing Pilates will keep you fit, strong, healthy, lean, mean and flexible… amongst other things! 🙂
It certainly is possible to perform Pilates in loose clothing like t-shirts and tracksuit bottoms that you might have hanging around the house. However, you will certainly get far more out of your Pilates routines and workouts if you wear performance clothing especially designed for the task.
Lorraine is a qualified Pilates and fitness istructor with many years of teaching experience. To learn more about Lorraine and Beginner Pilates exercises visit website www.pilates2goonline.com
diet.com Get rid of your muffin top or love handles with this oblique Pilates workout routine featuring Cassey Ho and Sarah Dussault. *Sponsor: Hunger Free Weight Loss – www.diet.com Visit Diet.com Today for healthy recipes! www.diet.com Follow us on Twitter – Twitter.com Visit Sarah’s YouTube channel – YouTube.com Visit Casseys YouTube Channel – YouTube.com