- Diabetic Gourmet Magazine - https://diabeticgourmet.com -

Build Your Inner Strength

Pilates (Puh-LAH-teez) continues to grow in popularity because it can be an excellent exercise program for adults of any age. If your doctor gives you the green light, a regular Pilates workout can slowly strengthen your most important muscles without pain and sweating. Daily exercise is a key part of a healthy lifestyle.

Besides improving your strength, Pilates increases your flexibility, balance and posture with its controlled movements on the floor or a mat or with machines. These movements concentrate on building your "core" muscles.

The Core Connection

Your core is made of the muscles that support and stabilize your lower spine, back and hip areas. These muscles enable you to sit up straight from a prone position or get up from a deep chair.

When you exercise, you need to single them out to keep them strong. A weak or neglected core increases your risk of back injury. Pilates can also help reduce older adults' risk of falling and prevent curvature of the spine due to osteoporosis.

Content Continues Below ⤵ ↷

A person beginning to learn Pilates will first be introduced to the abdominal connection. A typical workout should start with light warm-up exercises that loosen the shoulders, hip joints and spine. Some simple abdominal moves should come next, followed perhaps by leg work and finished off with upper-body strengthening in the chest and arms. In every exercise, it is important to keep the abdominal muscles connected to the movement.

A Basic Pilates Warm-Up

More from our magazine:  Fitness Trends for 2004
[1]

Many people get into Pilates through introductory books and videotapes. If you decide to take a class, look for an instructor certified by a group with a rigorous training program, so you learn proper technique.

Here is a simple Pilates exercise sequence to try:

Popular Books

Popular DVD's


AICR