Dossier: Trend sports

5 reasons you should do Pilates

Good posture, improved b and stronger focus – those who integrate Pilates into their daily routine live healthier lives. Still not convinced? These five reasons are sure to make you a Pilates fan.

Text: Kilian Bühler; photo: iStock

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a workout for the entire body, with a particular focus on the spine, stomach and pelvic floor. Similar to yoga, your breathing and movements need to be synchronised to gain the most from the exercises.

How does Pilates help you? 5 benefits

And there’s a lot to gain: in addition to slimming and toning your figure, Pilates promises other health benefits.

Improves your posture

You can tell a lot about a person from their posture. Good posture helps you look more self-confident and more elegant. It also helps ease aches and pains and reduces the risk of injury. Pilates focuses primarily on strengthening your core. By building up the abdominal, back and pelvic floor muscles, your posture automatically improves when you stand or sit. Studies have shown, for example, that Pilates reduces chronic back pain. 

Strengthens your focus

A lot of concentration is required when performing the exercises, because you have to focus on yourself as well as on your body. The aim of all Pilates exercises is to connect mind and body while also coordinating your breathing with your movements. In this way, you train your stamina, flexibility and concentration to create the perfect physical and mental balance.

Reduces your stress levels

Sport is the best medicine against stress. Pilates has the great advantage that the exercises can be performed anywhere – all you need is a mat. During exercise, the body releases happiness hormones known as endorphins, which make us feel good and help to relieve stress. Pilates also includes specific exercises designed to boost relaxation, for example by consciously exhaling through the mouth, you encourage the muscles to stretch. There is also scientific evidence that Pilates has positive effects on mood and sleep quality.

Improves circulation

Pilates stabilises your deep muscles and builds them up. The various movements and exercises stimulate blood circulation. What’s more, regular training of the pelvic floor generally improves blood flow to the muscle tissue.

Helps with other sports

With the help of Pilates, you can acquire important qualities that are also useful for other sports – good body awareness, better flexibility and optimised coordination and balance. That’s why it’s a good idea to add Pilates to your training schedule in addition to your favourite sport. This will help you get the most out of your training schedule.

Which is better, yoga or Pilates?

Both yoga and Pilates improve flexibility and strengthen the muscles. Beyond that, however, the two disciplines have little in common. Yoga aims to create a unity between body and mind. The movements are not primarily designed as sporting exercises, but are intended to help you concentrate better while meditating.

Pilates, on the other hand, clearly emphasises the physical aspect. The exercises were developed by Joseph Hubert Pilates during the First World War as a strengthening programme for soldiers. The sport only found widespread appeal in the United States in the 1960s.

There is no conclusive answer to the question of whether yoga or Pilates is better. If you want to lose weight and strengthen your muscles, you should opt for Pilates. Yoga, on the other hand, is recommended for those who primarily want to relieve tension and reduce stress.

Pilates for beginners

The big advantage is that Pilates is suitable for everyone - even complete beginners. This full-body workout is easy on the joints and can be done at home without any additional equipment. And the first successes are not long in coming. According to the founder of the training method, you should see a marked difference after 20 sessions at the latest.

“After 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, after 20 sessions you’ll see the difference and after 30 sessions you’ll have a new body.”
Joseph Hubert Pilates, physical trainer and founder of the Pilates method

In his day, Joseph Hubert Pilates recommended doing the exercises at least three times a week. And this recommendation is still valid today. For people who already take part in sports several times a week, Pilates training once a week is sufficient. Regularity is important, as this is the only way to achieve success.

Pilates for beginners: exercises to do at home

Pilates instructor Christina Eggenschwiler demonstrates simple Pilates exercises for beginners. With this 22-minute training video, you can strengthen your core and tone your back. The exercises are easy to do at home. All you need is a mat and a towel.

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