The foods you eat affect much more than just your weight and energy levels; they also play a significant role in your long-term bone and joint health. That’s why having a balanced diet is essential. But what does a “balanced diet” consist of? It should include an...
LATEST BLOGS
The Benefits of Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis
That persistent ache in your heel as you take your first steps out of bed in the morning or the pain that creeps in after a long day of standing or walking? It could be plantar fasciitis. This common foot condition occurs when the plantar fascia — a thick band of...
Carrying Extra Pounds: How Weight Affects Your Bones, Joints, and Mobility
Carrying extra body weight can have a profound impact on your orthopedic health, leading to painful conditions, reduced mobility, and an increased risk of injuries. Understanding how those additional pounds can affect your musculoskeletal system is the first step...
The Benefits of Pilates

There’s a reason you have probably heard the term, “Pilates Butt.” Pilates started showing up in the fitness scene about a decade ago, but what’s the hype about? Pilates was actually designed by German athlete, Joseph Hubertus Pilates, as a cure for his constant struggle with activity-induced asthma. The idea came from Greek culture and ideologies, primarily, the idea that the mind, body, and spirit should always be in balance. Thus, Pilates was born.
If you have ever wandered into the Pilates room of your Yoga studio, the mind might begin to panic – how in the world do you use these machines? The look of some Pilate’s machines has even been compared to daunting torture devices, but it is far from the truth. Pilates is an ancient practice and is the go-to for dancers, athletes, and even used in the recovery process for physical therapy*.
The mindset behind Pilates begins with the process of strengthening your core. The six principles of Pilates are concentration, control, centering, flow or efficiency in movement, precision, and breathing. The core is thought of as the center of your entire muscle system, and numerous studies have proven that a strong core benefits every other part of the body. Pilates is ideal for people with neck problems, poor posture, spinal abnormalities, issues with equilibrium, limited flexibility, among others. The key is that Pilates works first on strengthening the core, and in turn begins to add strength and control as your body becomes stronger and more flexible. This causes a feeling of control of movement, as well the increased flexibility, which is helpful in preventing sprains, strains, torn muscles, and wear and tear injuries. From this, you can see why dancers swear by it.
According to Pilate’s experts, the balance of the mind and spirit then accompanies the balance of the physical body. Many Pilate’s classes are taught at Yoga studios for this very reason. Pilates is not seen as a rigorous cardio session, but rather a calming way to unwind while focusing on breathing while doing various exercises focused on controlled stretching. This provides a small amount of time to clear your mind and hone in on breathing deeply. The process of controlling your breathing during exercise has been proven to help with extending the amount of time you would normally be able to do a particular exercise – this is why you have heard stories of Pilate’s users claiming to see results so quickly.
Now, here’s the fun stuff. Back to that “Pilates Butt” rumor. It’s true – regular Pilate’s helps to elongate the muscles, in turn making leg muscles seem lean, but also toned and strong. Many women favor Pilates because of its ability to add strength and tone without causing the muscles to look too bulky, or masculine. Many runway models swear by it because it allows them to keep their “girlish measurements,” while also helping with balance when wearing stilettos on the catwalk.
So the real question is – why aren’t we all on the Pilates bandwagon?
*(Note: Physical therapy and Pilates in no way can be considered interchangeable. Consult your orthopaedic doctor/surgeon before using Pilates within your recovery plan.)
References: http://pilatesbridge.com/12-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-pilates-for-your-peace-of-mind/