18 мая 2025 г.
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Pilates for all: why every body can benefit
No matter your lifestyle, fitness habits, body type or age, Pilates is an exercise that could offer you a multitude of benefits.
The workout on everyone’s lips right now is Pilates, especially reformer Pilates done on a machine such as the new Technogym Reform. This low impact, core-focused routine, which was created by Joseph Pilates back in 1920, is all about moving with precision. Small movements, repeated many times, test your flexibility, balance, flexibility and strength.
But you may assume Pilates is too gentle, too calm, too easy or you might think it’s ‘not a real workout’. After all, it’s not overly intense on the body, there are no big weights involved and it’s unlikely to leave you dripping in sweat.
The truth is though, that Pilates is a workout that pretty much everyone can benefit from. Whether you lift weights, run, spend all day sitting at a desk or perhaps you’re permanently stressed, Pilates might just be the secret exercise you didn’t know you needed.
But you may assume Pilates is too gentle, too calm, too easy or you might think it’s ‘not a real workout’. After all, it’s not overly intense on the body, there are no big weights involved and it’s unlikely to leave you dripping in sweat.
The truth is though, that Pilates is a workout that pretty much everyone can benefit from. Whether you lift weights, run, spend all day sitting at a desk or perhaps you’re permanently stressed, Pilates might just be the secret exercise you didn’t know you needed.
If you’re a runner
All that pavement pounding can leave your lower body sore. Plus, if you’re a long distance runner, you might be familiar with the back pain that creeps in when you’re clocking up the miles. Pilates complements running perfectly as it helps to loosen and stretch tight muscles and it helps to increase joint mobility, which can help to reduce the chance of developing an injury from running. Running posture is key - upright, eyes forward, core engaged - and Pilates places a strong focus on posture as well as core stabilisation, which can reduce the chance of back pain.
If you’re a weightlifter
Regularly lifting heavy weights is renowned to be one of the best things you can do for your body. But it doesn’t come without its setbacks as weightlifting can leave muscles tight and tired. Pilates can help here, keeping muscles limber and also supporting recovery between sessions. Plus, the focus on core strength during Pilates is a big bonus for weightlifters as pretty much all lifts require core engagement and strength. Let’s not forget the breathing aspect of Pilates- during each session, you’ll feel more connected with your breath as your inhales and exhales help to support your body throughout movements. During weightlifting, breathwork is also important, as you inhale to lift, exhale on the release. Reformer Pilates involves resistance via springs, so you'll still get to enjoy an element of strength within your workout.
All that pavement pounding can leave your lower body sore. Plus, if you’re a long distance runner, you might be familiar with the back pain that creeps in when you’re clocking up the miles. Pilates complements running perfectly as it helps to loosen and stretch tight muscles and it helps to increase joint mobility, which can help to reduce the chance of developing an injury from running. Running posture is key - upright, eyes forward, core engaged - and Pilates places a strong focus on posture as well as core stabilisation, which can reduce the chance of back pain.
If you’re a weightlifter
Regularly lifting heavy weights is renowned to be one of the best things you can do for your body. But it doesn’t come without its setbacks as weightlifting can leave muscles tight and tired. Pilates can help here, keeping muscles limber and also supporting recovery between sessions. Plus, the focus on core strength during Pilates is a big bonus for weightlifters as pretty much all lifts require core engagement and strength. Let’s not forget the breathing aspect of Pilates- during each session, you’ll feel more connected with your breath as your inhales and exhales help to support your body throughout movements. During weightlifting, breathwork is also important, as you inhale to lift, exhale on the release. Reformer Pilates involves resistance via springs, so you'll still get to enjoy an element of strength within your workout.
If you sit at a desk all day
A long working day in front of a screen will do your posture zero favours. Tight hips and shoulders, a sore lower back and even an aching neck are commonplace for people who spend all day sitting at a desk. Pilates could be the secret to unlocking this tightness and reducing pain. Not only does Pilates help to open up the hips, shoulders and spine but it also stretches tight muscles and gives you an opportunity to simply step away from work life and reconnect with your breath and body.
If you’re a senior
There’s no denying that strength work as you age can help with a multitude of things including balance, coordination and stability, as well as helping to maintain muscle mass, which does naturally deteriorate as you get older. Pilates helps support your muscles, which in turn helps strengthen joints that may be feeling stiff. Plus, Pilates is great at improving balance, helping to reduce the risk of potential falls. There’s also the fact that Pilates is gentle on bones and joints, unlike higher intensity exercise. This makes it ideal for anyone who suffers from osteoporosis or arthritis.
A long working day in front of a screen will do your posture zero favours. Tight hips and shoulders, a sore lower back and even an aching neck are commonplace for people who spend all day sitting at a desk. Pilates could be the secret to unlocking this tightness and reducing pain. Not only does Pilates help to open up the hips, shoulders and spine but it also stretches tight muscles and gives you an opportunity to simply step away from work life and reconnect with your breath and body.
If you’re a senior
There’s no denying that strength work as you age can help with a multitude of things including balance, coordination and stability, as well as helping to maintain muscle mass, which does naturally deteriorate as you get older. Pilates helps support your muscles, which in turn helps strengthen joints that may be feeling stiff. Plus, Pilates is great at improving balance, helping to reduce the risk of potential falls. There’s also the fact that Pilates is gentle on bones and joints, unlike higher intensity exercise. This makes it ideal for anyone who suffers from osteoporosis or arthritis.
If you’re always stressed
Your busy life might be leaving you stressed and perhaps even burnt out. Luckily, Pilates is a little like active meditation, helping to slow down a racing mind and forcing you to focus on your breath. Because Pilates is a slower paced exercise, it also won’t contribute to your ever-growing stress and instead, will help you to reconnect with your body without the high intensity.
Your busy life might be leaving you stressed and perhaps even burnt out. Luckily, Pilates is a little like active meditation, helping to slow down a racing mind and forcing you to focus on your breath. Because Pilates is a slower paced exercise, it also won’t contribute to your ever-growing stress and instead, will help you to reconnect with your body without the high intensity.
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