Pilates is such a good form of exercise for everyone! From young to old, fit to unfit, strong to weak, supple to stiff. Whatever your strengths and weaknesses, Pilates can address them.
In this post I would like to focus on why women should try Pilates. There are so many 
points to mention but I have narrowed it down to 10 great reasons why a woman will benefit greatly from adding Pilates into her training routine.
1. Pilates will help to improve your posture
Pilates teaches you how to correct your posture and shows you how to apply this in every day life. It will also correct imbalances and strengthen weak postural muscles you’ll need to maintain this new found good posture. With all that a woman needs to get done in a day, stepping out the front door with a good posture will set the tone for a productive day.
2. Pilates will help you to look and feel better
Once you have been taught how to activate the correct muscles, your whole look will change. You will appear slimmer and taller by just engaging the right muscles! It’s amazing how the smallest adjustments will change the way you feel in your clothes!
3. Pilates will help you to feel more confident in all aspects of life
I honestly believe that someone who stands tall stands out! When you walk out of a Pilates class, you should leave feeling a centimetre taller. A person who stands tall comes across as someone who shouldn’t be messed with! Just by changing the way you walk and stand will leave you with the self confidence to tackle any challenge that is thrown your way.
4. Pilates allows you to spend time doing something good for yourself
How often do you do something just for you? Too many women’s answer to this question is “hardly ever”. Taking an hour out of your day to give your body the attention it needs and to give yourself the time-out you deserve is so rewarding. It’s soul food!
5. Pilates during and after pregnancy is a great way to stay in shape safely
Pilates can be modified to suit anyone’s needs and that is no different for the pregnant ladies out there. A Pilates class is a safe and effective way to stay in shape during one’s pregnancy. Pilates helps to maintain or build strength and helps to alleviate most discomfort during the pregnancy. It is also a great place to start when you are ready to get back into shape after the birth. Read our series of pregnancy posts for more details on Pregnancy Pilates.
6. Pilates is a great form of stress management
I love using my Pilates class as my de-stressor! Getting your frustrations out in a Pilates class is far healthier and safer than doing so at home or in the traffic! With lots of breathing, moving, pulsing, stretching and concentrating, there simply isn’t time to focus on the negative and by the time it’s over, you’re left feeling relaxed, worked and so much happier!
7. Pilates helps to build strength to do everyday activities
Pilates is a great way to build core strength and this is important in maintaining good posture as well as for the mundane activities like bending to put your shoes on, picking something up, balancing or even just sitting in a chair. These are all actions we don’t even think about and take for granted until they become painful. Keeping your core strong will help to keep these activities as simple as they should be.
8. Women don’t have time for aches and pains, Pilates helps to alleviate these
Pilates is such a great way to alleviate pain caused by tension, tightness, weakness and imbalances. Backache or neck ache can be a nightmare to deal with when your day is filled with stress, work and day to day activities. The combination of stretching, breathing and strengthening is the perfect recipe for alleviating all those frustrating aches and pains!
9. Unless your partner has tried Pilates, it will always be something mysterious you choose to do – there’s nothing wrong with a bit of mystery!
I’ve heard it so many times before, “My partner thinks all I do at Pilates is stretching and breathing”. That’s fine, let them think that while you continue to work your butt off! After a bit, you’re going to start looking and feeling amazing and the good mood you’ll leave in after every class will leave them thinking “whatever she’s doing, she should keep doing!”.
10. There is always someone to chat to and offer support in a Pilates class
As a woman, I know that sometimes all you need to do is talk to another woman! It might be the smallest thing you’ve been dying to tell someone or something more serious and you just need someone to lend an ear while you get it off your chest.The relationship you build with your instructor and if you’re in a small group, with the other women in you class, is one where you can always rest assured, there will be someone who is happy to listen!
With all these benefits, this is why women should try Pilates. It’s no wonder Pilates is becoming more and more popular amongst woman of all ages, shapes and sizes. Go try a class and experience these benefits for yourself!
Di
xxx
