Pilates is one of the most trending exercise regimes there maybe and a favourite amongst celebs. Its popularity has also risen sharply during the lockdown, with a lot of people working out from home. While it's incredibly beneficial to improve flexibility and posture, it also carries excellent benefits if you are a weight watcher.

Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise which includes a combination of slow stretching and deep breathing exercises to improve strength, balance, flexibility and mobility. It’s focus area is to strengthen the core which is not only limited to abs but also includes the back, the hips and the upper thighs. While the exercise greatly benefits the core, the overall effects can also be seen on other body parts as it helps tone and condition flabs as well, and thus, makes for a great addition to your weight loss regime.

Apart from promoting weight loss, regular Pilates practice also benefits your overall health and fitness in the following ways:

Maintaining a good posture and improving body's balance

Since a lot of exercises in Pilates are about keeping your spine straight and keeping your body aligned, it gets the body into a proper posture.

Balance is a combination of physical posture and the mind being aware of the body’s movements. Pilates through its breathing techniques combined with exercises makes us conscious of our body movements along with developing a proper posture. Both collectively result in improving the body’s balance.

Achieving abs and toned muscles

Pilates mainly focus on strengthening the core through its various exercises like planks. Building pressure on your core, not only strengthens it but also results in a flat stomach.

Pilates includes a lot of exercises to build strength and it reflects in not only strengthening of the core muscles but also other body areas like the arms, legs and calves. As a result, a lot of muscles in the body end up looking toned.

Improves flexibility and relieves back pain

As we tend to become less flexible with age, Pilates can help regain flexibility through its slow stretching movements. Through stretching movements, our body gets pushed to its limits in a gentle way and it leads to better flexibility in our body.

Pilates also includes a lot of spine and back exercises which can prove to be beneficial for relieving back pain. Since it includes strengthening the upper thighs as well, it may help to prevent arthritis and keep away knee pain. As Pilates increases flexibility in the body, it helps to maintain a smooth movement in the joints and can help prevent alleviating arthritis pain.

Improves flexibility and relieves back pain

As we tend to become less flexible with age, Pilates can help regain flexibility through its slow stretching movements. Through stretching movements, our body gets pushed to its limits in a gentle way and it leads to better flexibility in our body.

Pilates also includes a lot of spine and back exercises which can prove to be beneficial for relieving back pain. Since it includes strengthening the upper thighs as well, it may help to prevent arthritis and keep away knee pain. As Pilates increases flexibility in the body, it helps to maintain a smooth movement in the joints and can help prevent alleviating arthritis pain.