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Origins -

German-born Joseph Pilates developed his method of fitness conditioning while interned in England during the First World War alongside other German nationals.

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Principles -

Pilates is based on three guiding principles: Breath, whole-body health, and whole-body commitment. Whole-body takes into account mind, body, and spirit.

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Breath -

Pilates centers the breath. Breathing properly, in Joseph Pilates’ opinion, was the root of good health. His main advice? “Above all, learn how to breathe correctly.”

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Concentration -

The Pilates principle of concentration brings you into full awareness. Concentrating on every breath and every body movement, you become present. This is key to unlocking the mind-body connection.

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Centering -

Centering means connecting to the center of your body, or "core." By connecting with the core, you are accessing the powerhouse of the body.

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Control -

Control means bringing full awareness to each movement. By mindfully controlling your body’s movement, you exercise control over your muscles and exert proper form.

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Precision -

To practice Pilates properly, you need to complete each movement with intent and focus. This is called precision. The proper exercise of each movement is more important than how many repetitions you can complete.

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Flow -

Strength and stamina are built when you move gracefully in fluid motions. The pace and tempo can vary, but it’s important to make accurate movements that have a flowing momentum.

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Types of Pilates -

Since its development in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, the exercise has evolved. There are now several different types of Pilates.

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Classic Pilates -

Classic Pilates is the practice of the original range of movements taught by the exercise’s founder. Joseph Pilates developed over 500 movements that can be practiced on the mat.

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Reformer Pilates -

Reformer Pilates is performed on a reformer bed—a contraption that can look intimidating, but the purpose of which is to assist the body’s range of movement. The resistance of the reformer helps to strengthen joints and muscles.

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Clinical Pilates -

This version of Pilates is used as a patient-specific treatment after injury. It strips back the classic Pilates exercises, adapting them to the range of movement of the recovering individual to make it personalized.

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Dynamic Pilates -

A modernized take on the classic movements, dynamic Pilates has an added range of movements and equipment like ankle weights, dumbbells, and bands.

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Celebrity fans -

Numerous celebrities have spoken about how they use Pilates to keep in shape. It’s a popular workout for the A-list.

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Kate Hudson -

Kate Hudson is known for her dedication to fitness. The movie star is a big Pilates fan, as she loves the flexibility it gives and “what it does to the shape of my body.”

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Margot Robbie -

Margot Robbie is a fan of reformer Pilates, as she feels it “suits my body best.”

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Kendall Jenner -

Although she hasn’t spoken about Pilates, Kendall Jenner is often seen leaving referral-only studio Forma Pilates in LA.

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Lori Harvey and Hailey Bieber -

Lori Harvey describes Pilates as having “changed my life.” Her go-to is reformer Pilates. Her friend Hailey Bieber is a fan of hot Pilates. The former dancer likes that Pilates challenges her strength in a similar way to dance movements.

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Bella Hadid -

Bella Hadid has been frequently photographed leaving Pilates studios in and around LA.

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Jennifer Aniston -

Jennifer Aniston describes Pilates as “moving meditation.” She wasn’t a fan at the beginning, however. It took finding the right teacher to become a convert.

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Adele -

Adele practiced Pilates after the birth of her first child in 2020. Her trainer Camila Goodis explained: “The exercise had to be very gentle. Pilates was perfect for her.”

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Benefits -

Its celebrity following is no surprise. Pilates has a number of benefits for body and mind.

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For everyone -

It doesn’t matter what your age, gender, or fitness ability are. Pilates is suitable for all people and body types. Moves can be adjusted, and there are variations to help build strength if you’re just beginning.

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Sports performance -

Pilates lengthens and strengthens the muscles. Increased mobilization helps you react faster, and improves sports performance.

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Quality of life -

Pilates has been shown to have a positive effect on depression and pain. Chronic back pain in particular can benefit from Pilates. Pilates strengthens the pelvic floor, supporting and stabilizing the back.

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Less period pain -

Pilates has been linked to reduced menstrual pain in people who suffer from painful periods (dysmenorrhea).

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Balance -

Pilates focuses on whole-body alignment and building core strength. This helps to improve overall balance.

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Cognitive function -

In studies, post-Pilates training participants were found to have improved cognitive function.

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Energy -

Pilates has been shown to help with the reduction of symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, and negative thought patterns. It stimulates feel-good hormones, oxygen flow, and blood circulation. As a low-impact exercise, you don’t feel exhausted after taking part in a Pilates class.

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Immunity -

When blood and lymph flow properly in the body, our immune system works well. Pilates improves circulation to give you an immune boost.

Sources: (Pilates Foundation) (Healthline) (Marie Claire) (PilatesCan) (Kala Pilates) (Studio Pilates)

See also: Born to run? The connection between fitness and genetics

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