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Pilates, strength and flexibility with the sport of the stars
By Naturale Bio
A gentle and effective training method, suitable for everyone and very popular among celebrities: it is pilates.
Madonna, Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow practice it, but also several famous men such as Sting and David Beckham.
Pilates principles and equipment
Pilates was born in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, from the mind of Joseph Pilates, from whom it takes its name. It all started from the personal experience of Joseph, who was very frail and fragile as a boy: precisely to combat his pathologies and strengthen his body, he "invented" a series of simple but effective exercises, to be performed with few tools or free body.
The statement of its inventor is famous: "A few well-planned and precisely executed movements, in a balanced sequence, have the same value as long forced and roughly executed contortions".
Over time, this technique also came to prominence as a rehabilitation method and today it consists of new poses, exercises and medical knowledge.
The equipment is simple: all you need is comfortable clothes, a mat similar to the one from yoga (essential that it does not slip or move during the exercises), if necessary an inflatable ball and elastic bands.
Who is pilates suitable for
Pilates aims to strengthen the body, strengthen muscles and joints, in particular starting from the “core”, the center of the body, therefore the entire trunk, abdominal and lumbar area.
Muscle mass improves without hypertrophy, because weights are not used as in body building: it is a matter of executing certain movements with extreme precision and control and maintaining positions, using the weight of one's own body.
Postural exercises, therefore, which mix concentration and posture, to be performed free-body and slowly, because they are based on the quality of the movement, and not on its quantity/repetition.
This is why pilates is suitable for everyone. Many athletes who practice "hard" disciplines such asrunning integrate it into their training scheme because it helps to lengthen the muscles and prevent injuries.
Or, people who do not like sport in the strict sense, can approach this gentle gymnastics, even in the presence of back problems or being overweight.
Pros and cons of this discipline
Pilates makes you stronger, more supple, improves posture and proprioception. It can be practiced by a wide range of people because it is simple and non-aggressive, although still tiring.
On a mental level, the concentration necessary to perform the exercises and the connection with correct breathing contribute to easing stress or making you more aware, with a view to mindfulness.
The contraindications are few: first of all, it is essential to be followed by an expert trainer and to be well informed to perform the positions correctly, otherwise you risk getting hurt.
The use of tools such as balls or elastic bands should always be evaluated, especially if you are in particular conditions. Very overweight people, with serious back problems or pregnant women should always ask their doctor for advice before starting a new sport, even if it is "gentle" like pilates.
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