Summary :Pilates is an exercise form that involves strength training as well as body toning. In order to learn it you should either contact an expert and enrol in a beginner’s class or take the help of DVD. In all likelihood, you will first of all be taught the basic mat exercises and will then move on to the more advanced ones. You may have heard of Pilates machines that also are an important part of the exercise. To understand more about its purpose and working, read on.

The Essence of Pilates is Resistance

In view of the fact that the fundamental idea of Pilates is to employ resistance to strengthen your body’s core, it makes sense to use a Pilates machine that could add more resistance to your workout, and consequently improve your results. This is definitely true, and if you have a Pilates machine available for use at the gym, or at home, you will certainly benefit from it. This is because you will be able to customize the amount of resistance added to your workout. Designing workouts to exert particular parts of your body harder than others can also be more suitable and convenient, as you can control several different points of resistance on one Pilates machine. You can also make use of familiar exercises at higher levels, which may be especially suitable to those who don’t have the time to devote to a new class or video.

However, a Pilates machine is not indispensable to increasing your strength, or even increasing the resistance to which your body is responding during your Pilates workout. More advanced Pilates mat work is just as demanding as a Pilates machine workout. You can learn new Pilates exercises that compel your body to react to added resistance. If you require some variety in your workout; then advanced mat work will surely provide you something new to master. Another advantage of Pilates mat work over a Pilates machine is that it is more cost effective. With a few videos and some space, you can educate yourself on all levels of Pilates mat work in the comfort of your own home with no extra equipment.

Mat work and Machine Work Should Be Complimentary

It is best to strike a balance between mat exercises and Pilates machine workouts. Even Joseph, the founder of Pilates, used the two in tandem to derive maximum benefits. When you begin to tire of one form, try your hand at the other. Also, when looking for a Pilates class to join, try to select one that utilizes both mat workouts and machine exercises. While both methods work well, together they produce better results. So, once you discover the method that suits you best, employ it to the maximum and gain health benefits.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 27th, 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.