Ask anyone who knows anything about health and fitness and they'll know something about the Pilates system. Pilates was originally developed by Joseph Pilates in 1926. He could see that people who were recovering from illness and injury still needed to exercise but without causing further distress to the body.
His unique system of exercises involve gentle flowing movements combined with controlled breathing. Each exercise routine is designed to reap the maximum benefit by performing the exercise completely and precisely. It's not necessary to work up a sweat and it's not necessary to exert pain or pressure.
Pilates is suitable for people of all age groups, which makes it very popular. It's also quite easy to get started with Pilates as all you need for the beginner level is a mat, making it the best entry level exercise system available.
Professional physical trainers and therapists recommend the Pilates system to people recovering from injury and those suffering from back pain. The series of routines are designed in a way that they will not make any injury worse but help the injury to heal faster.
More recently, it has emerged that the Pilates method of exercise routines is especially good for losing weight and getting fit. What's more, body toning is almost a by product.
It's generally recognised and understood that we all need to exercise in order to keep fit and trim but now you don't need to go to the gym every day and workout for hours at a time. Just a 30 minute session 3 times a week is all that is required in order to see real results. You can of course put in more time and sessions if you want to see bigger and better results even faster.
But, and this is very important. You must learn how to do the exercises properly otherwise they will not work. Each routine is focused on a combination of breathing, stretching, positioning, posture, control, precision and concentration. And each exercise has to be completed fully and perfectly in order to gain the real benefits.
Some gyms have Pilates classes and there are numerous Pilates trainers around, but probably the best way to get started is by watching an instructional video. Training videos are available on DVD and cover the whole system from beginner level through intermediate level and up to advanced level.
Another reason for choosing the video option is that you can perform the routines in your own home when time is available. So now there's no excuse. Everyone can get fitter and healthier by following the tried and tested Pilates system at home at any time that is convenient. There's no time like the present!
