Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Strength Training Through Pilates Class

One of the key benefits of taking a pilates class is your increased strength. Few people realize that one of the best ways of strength training is through pilates class. Most people equate strength training with repetitive weight training exercises. However, there are other ways of strength training that put far less pressure on your body’s joints, muscles and ligaments – and taking a pilates class is one of them.

Pilates class helps with strength training by integrating your trunk, pelvis and shoulder girdle while emphasizing proper breathing, the correct alignment of your spinal cord and pelvis with the incorporation of smooth flowing movement that allows you to access each part of your body. The exercises are meant to help you become familiar with your body’s function and mechanics. Pilates exercises were designed to help strengthen a person’s body without injury or stress to the individual’s joints or ligaments, which in turn helps you run faster, jump higher and dance endlessly – without pain, discomfort or injury.

Although strength training through pilates class is something that has been used by professional dancers for years now, the discipline has been picked up by professional sports teams that now incorporate pilates in their training regimes. Big name teams from the NFL, the NBA and the MLB have all begun incorporating pilates in their strength training regimes to help their players avoid some of the most common overuse injuries that are witnessed in professional sports.

Many people will hold on steadfastly to the belief that the only way to get proper strength training is through an intensive weight training program. However, those who are familiar with pilates class know that such beliefs are simply not true. Pilates class offers you more than just a fit and flexible body and a calm mind; it also gives you better balance, better posture all while making your stronger and more resilient to the shocks that a person’s body takes through the course of simply living.

Not convinced? Then simply join a pilates class and you will see the difference within just a few weeks.

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