Summary :Pilates exercise is used to strengthen and condition the whole body, an aspect that has led to its immense popularity. At the same time, it does not require elaborate equipments. Most of the basic Pilates exercises can be carried out with the use of just a mat. This also means that it is a portable exercise form that can be easily taken advantage of anywhere. To further enhance the benefits, Pilates band can be used as an accessory that is equally convenient to carry around while also imparting greater exercise gains.

However, don’t let their size and simplicity deceive you. Pilates bands are effective for light resistance workouts that can significantly improve conditioning and muscle tone. Pilates bands, also known as the Flex-Band or the Thera-Band, are utilized in other types of fitness programs, but also lend themselves exceedingly well to Pilates for a number of reasons. Pilates bands can help lengthen major muscles and tone and sculpt the entire body, especially the abdominal muscles. They are versatile enough to target specific areas of the body to improve flexibility and joint mobility.

The Convenience Offered by Pilates Bands:

Pilates bands are not only small and easy to carry to classes or take with you on vacation; they are also easily obtainable and very reasonably priced. Ready-made bands can be purchased for $5- 10, depending on the strength of resistance. The bands are available in regular and extra-strength. If you wish, you can buy a roll of latex and cut it to make your own customized Pilates bands. There are also handles that you can get to tie to the ends of your bands to increase your exercise options.

There are some exercises where you can replace the bands for other more expensive pieces of Pilates equipment and witness the same results. For instance, some exercises that are generally done on the Pilates Reformer can be replicated with the use of the Pilates bands. In this way, not only will you be saving money on equipment, but you will also be working with a routine that can accompany you anywhere.

If you are considering using a Pilates band, you do not have to worry about how to use it as there are numerous videos readily available that will teach you the correct way to use and gain from it. So, you can avail the benefits of basic and more advanced Pilates exercises, all in the convenience and privacy of your home, granted to you by Pilates ring. However, it is always a good idea to seek some professional advice before beginning any exercise form so as to get valuable insights and tips about it as well as to help you avoid injury.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at 6:03 pm and is filed under Pilates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.