10 Reasons to Start Pilates

Since joining a new gym in August 2022, I’ve regularly been going to Pilates classes every week and have noticed a huge difference in how my body and mind feel. Low-impact yet effective, taking part in a Pilates class just twice a week after work really helps me wind down after a long down and move my body in a way that isn’t intense or exhausting. It’s a great way to relax and loosen up any tightness I might feel from sitting at a desk all day.

If you’re thinking about joining a Pilates class and want some extra motivation, here are my top 10 reasons to start Pilates and the benefits it can have!

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a low-impact mind-and-body exercise designed to strengthen your body and improve your balance, flexibility, posture and overall well-being. It was developed by a German trainer named Joseph Pilates, who, as a child, was often sick and grew determined to strengthen his body with yoga, meditation and martial arts techniques. Over the years, he studied and evolved the Pilates method – seeing great success among World War I soldiers whose bodies recovered faster than others after training with him.

In 1923, Joseph Pilates brought the Pilates method to America. In the 60s, it became increasingly popular with New York dancers as it helped to keep them fit, healthy, and flexible and reduce the risk of injury. Pilates made its way to Hollywood in the 1970s and has, since then, become popular worldwide – most notable in America, Canada, the UK, Australia and South Korea.

How is Pilates Different to Yoga?

While both Pilates and Yoga are low-impact forms of exercise used to improve flexibility and reduce stress and injury, the main difference is in the strength work. Typically, Yoga focuses more on breath work while holding a particular position for a little while before flowing into a different position. With Pilates, you hold a position but then incorporate a movement, such as moving your arms or legs, to build strength and challenge stability. With Yoga, you also primarily use body weight, whereas Pilates often uses exercise balls, resistance bands and bars.

10 Reasons to Start Pilates Classes

Below are my top 10 reasons why you should start a Pilates class and the benefits you can expect to see with regular training!

1. Improves posture

If, like me, you sit at a desk to work all day, your posture probably isn’t that great. Pilates focuses on your entire body’s alignment and works to improve your range of motion and balance and strengthen your core, resulting in a better posture.

2. Increases Core Strength

Pilates is most commonly known for its ability to increase your core strength, as many movements focus on the centre of your body. Having a strong core can help stabilise the body and improve your overall balance, which is great for people of all ages, but it may also help reduce period pain and hip pain and improve your pelvic floor.

3. Reduces Back Pain and Tension

Since doing Pilates just twice a week, any lower back pain I had from sitting at a desk all day has been completely eradicated. As Pilates targets the deep core muscles, they work to support, protect and stabilise your back too. Working with an exercise ball and performing deep stretches and movements will work wonders for any lower back pain and relieve tension in your shoulders and legs too.

4. Decreases Stress

Like Yoga, Pilates classes incorporate breathing techniques and focus purely on your body and the movements, which can regulate the nervous system. This creates a sense of calmness and decreases stress. Some classes also include meditation to clear your mind and be present in the moment.

5. Boosts your Mood

It’s no secret that exercise releases endorphins, the hormones that make you happy. And Pilates is a wonderfully relaxing yet challenging form of exercise that doesn’t require you to sweat buckets on cardio machines or grunt in pain. Good for the body and mind, Pilates can reduce fatigue and anxiety and release negative thoughts, boosting your overall mood.

6. Improves Sleep Quality

According to the National Institution of Health, Pilates can significantly improve sleep quality in people under 40. Since stress is a leading factor in sleepless nights, introducing a Pilates session can help lower stress and relax the mind to aid in a better night’s sleep.

7. Improves Balance and Mobility

If you find yourself feeling off-balance every now and then or have poor coordination, Pilates can help fix that. Having good balance is essential at every age and can help you feel younger and more agile. With its focus on core work, Pilates will quickly improve your balance and mobility in your range of movement too.

8. Enhances Mindfulness and Body Awareness

Pilates focuses on the body and mind through slow movements, stretches and breathing, making you highly aware of the sensations in your body and where any pain to target is, as well as your emotions and general mood. Better body awareness can help prevent injuries as you’re more perceptive of your surroundings and in tune with how your body feels and moves.

9. Increases Energy

With its low-impact nature and focus on breath work, Pilates releases those all-important feel-good hormones and improves oxygen flow and blood circulation to give you a boost of energy for the day. Unlike other, more intense forms of exercise, Pilates rarely leaves you feeling fatigued and is a great way to start the day feeling happy and energised.

10. Reduces the Risk of Injury

Lastly, Pilates can reduce the risk of injury as it focuses on developing strength to better support and stabilise your muscles and joints. The deep stretches of Pilates keep your body feeling loose rather than tight or rigid, which is a common cause of injury, and the strength and stability will help prevent falls or other sports-related injuries.

Taking that first step and signing up for a Pilates class was one of the best things I could’ve done for my body and mind, and after going regularly and consistently for months, I can definitely feel the difference. It’s now become one of my favourite parts of my week.

Let me know in the comments any other benefits you’ve experienced with Pilates or if you’re thinking about joining a class!

If you work from home and struggle with separating your home life f from your work life, take a look at my tips on how to avoid the work from home burnout.