Benefits of Mat Pilates
My shoulders felt so heavy by 2 p.m. that it was hard to continue typing. Yeah, that was me ten years ago, before I started taking weekly Pilates classes. Pilates was a game changer for me as a deskbound professional. Pilates exercises like Planks and Dead Bugs trained my torso to remain upright and efficient, even when fatigue sets in.
Pilates was a game changer for me as a deskbound professional. Pilates exercises like Planks and Dead Bugs trained my torso to remain upright and efficient, even when fatigue sets in.
It also changed everything for me as a distance runner. Every runner knows the feeling: you’re hitting your mileage goals, but suddenly a familiar “niggle” in your knee or a persistent tightness in your hip starts to slow you down. Running is a repetitive, high-impact sport that often strengthens certain muscles while leaving others underutilized. Since, Pilates focuses on core strength, muscle balance, and precision—it was the ultimate “prehab” tool for me.
As a Pilates practitioner I’ve reaped many benefits of the program over the years. Interestingly, my students mention that they’ve reaped the same benefits from the Pilates classes I teach. So, I figured why not share those with you here:
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The Deep Core: We’re talking about the transversus abdominis—your body’s natural corset. This isn’t just about looking good; it’s about stabilizing your spine.
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Posture Correction: In our ‘tech neck’ world, Pilates acts as a reset button. It realigns the spine and opens up the chest. Pilates focuses heavily on the spine’s natural alignment and strengthening the muscles that support it, helping to undo the damage from desk jobs and slouching. We’ll talk about how this focus on ribcage placement and shoulder blade placement fundamentally changes how you hold yourself.
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Enhanced Core Strength and Stability: The “powerhouse” is central to every Pilates exercise. We’re talking deep abdominal muscles here, not just the ‘six-pack’ muscles. This foundational strength is key to everything from better balance to reducing back pain. Performance Note: Think of Pilates as the ‘insurance policy’ for your other hobbies. It makes you a better runner, a stronger lifter, and even more agile on the pickleball court.”
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Increased Flexibility and Mobility: Pilates is a fantastic blend of strength and stretch. You’ll gain long, lean muscle mass while simultaneously increasing your range of motion. It’s that wonderful feeling of being both strong and supple.
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Mind-Body Connection and Mindfulness: This might be the most profound benefit. Pilates is all about concentration and control. It forces you to be present, to focus on your lateral breathing and how your body is moving in space. It’s a moving meditation, giving your mind a much-needed break from the daily grind.
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Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation: Because the movements are low-impact and focus on proper form and muscle balance, Pilates is often used in physical therapy settings. It builds strength safely, making your body more resilient to injury.
You can also listen to this on my podcast 9 to 5 Wellness linked below. See you soon in a Pilates Class.