Am I Wasting My Time With Pilates?

Does Pilates really work? There has been much debate over whether or not the unusual exercises developed by Joseph Pilates called 'Pilates" actually work or not. It is also not unusual to find online debates over this questions with some staunch supporters in each camp. Whether or not we can definitively decide if Pilates really work is up for debate also.

When Joseph Pilates developed his plan to condition bodies based on a series of poses held through deep breathing, it was to benefit his patients who were recovering from illnesses and injuries. What Pilates found through trial and error during his development process was that Pilates strengthened the core of muscles that contain the abdominals, back, shoulders and pelvis. He used the bodies' own resistance to build muscle from having to balance in the poses. The end results were bodies that were more flexible and muscle that were stronger.

Today, proponents of the method insist that Pilates can help you sculpt your body in as little a twenty minutes daily, three times a week. Many people have found Pilates to be a calorie burning, low-intensity workout program. If Pilates works for these people, will it work for you? How can such a little time commitment yield big results for the participant?

Pilates have garnered much attention lately in the press and has become immensely popular in the United States and Europe. Broadway and Hollywood stars like Madonna, Vanessa Williams, and Sharon Stone are reported to have participated in Pilates classes. Even though Pilates have been around for about 70 years, it is something of the flavor-of-the-month these days. You can't pick up a magazine or watch a talk show without someone mentioning their Pilates routine. But, are the results real?

Another faction that joins the debate in favor of Pilates is the dance community. For a long time, dancers have touted Pilates as a way to strengthen the muscles without the bulking up that traditional weightlifting caused. Many dancers credit Pilot with changing their bodies by elongating and strengthening their muscles, without compromising the important flexibility that they need for their dancing. Many dancers and other swear that Pilates leave them feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a session instead of tired, like most traditional programs. if this is true, couldn't everyone benefit from Pilates?

However, not everyone is a Pilates fan. To put all the positive feed back on Pilates into perspective, we must look at the negative side. Does Pilates really work? It depends on the person you ask. Some critics have denied the claims by Pilates enthusiasts that using Pilates as a weight-loss program is effective. Many say that Pilates alone will not cause the participant to lose weight. He or she must diet and use some form of aerobic exercise to see dramatic results in weight loss. But, was weight loss Joseph Pilates intention?

To answer the question "Am I wasting my time with Pilates?" you have to ask yourself what results are you looking for. If you are just wanting to lose weight and quickly, maybe Pilates are not the best thing to be doing exclusive of other exercise programs. But, if you are wanting to increase you flexibility, work on your balance, and strengthen your muscles without overdoing it, then Pilates may the the answer you have been looking for.

Recommended Reading:

1. The Pilates Method for Dancers - One of the most commonly heard erroneous impressions when it comes to Pilates is that...
2. Can Pilates Make You Fit? - Nowadays, everyone has heard of Pilates. There has been a media blitz touting the benefits...
3. Learning More About The Pilates Exercise Regime - Pilates is an exercise regime designed to stretch, balance, and strengthen the body. This physical...
4. Perform Pilates Exercises - Pilates exercises are greatly popular with people wanting to tone their abs and improve posture....
5. Can I Learn Pilates From a Video? - Pilates is an exercise technique first invented by a man named Joseph Pilates, a German...