5 Reasons Why You Should Take a Pilates Mat Class

Pilates on a mat is ideal for beginners. (Image via Pexels/Anastasia Shuraeva)
Pilates on a mat is ideal for beginners. (Image via Pexels/Anastasia Shuraeva)

You might find it difficult to choose between Pilates mat lessons and Pilates equipment classes if you're just getting into Pilates. Although the equipment is essentially symbolic of Pilates, a traditional mat class is still worthwhile for your time. Don't knock the mat, but if you have the chance to use the equipment, do so.

Pilates on the mat are ideal for beginners, as you may modify the reps as per your physical limitations. Furthermore, all you'll need is a mat, some open space and common objects you can use as exercise props.

It involves floor exercises that strengthen the body and turn on the brain's stress-relieving mechanisms. It's easy to understand how strengthening, flexibility, coordination and attention combine to make life simpler and happier, thanks to Pilates' emphasis on body-mind links.


Why you should take Pilates Mat Class?

It's time to relearn the indisputable advantages of mat practice for those of you who are obsessed with equipment and are skipping your mat courses. Here are five of them:

1) Burns fat and calories

Most of us are motivated to exercise because of flabby abs, overweight arms and legs, bulky hips and backsides. Fortunately for us, Pilates mat exercises target the body's engine—the glutes, hips, lower back and pelvic floor.

Pilates mat exercises are intended to strengthen the body's core, but you'll almost certainly burn calories and lose extra weight in the process. In addition to Pilates, you might want to try running, swimming and other aerobic exercises if you want to lose weight quickly.

Traditional Pilates were created as a low-impact exercise to gradually increase strength. However, studies suggest it can help reduce BMI and calories, and it helps produce a smaller waist, flatter abs and leaner hips.


2) Prevents injury

The body muscles that are balanced through Pilates are neither too lax and weak nor too rigid. The body is more prone to damage when the muscles are either too lax, weak or overly rigid.

Pilates has a strong emphasis on the development of dynamic strength, which improves your ability to support and stabilise your joints while you move. According to research, Pilates is a useful technique for lowering the risk of sports injuries.


3) Improves your body, mind and spirit

Pilates instruction is intended to help you develop your body, mind and spirit. The exercise adheres to the principles of breathing, control, focus, accuracy, centering, and flow to regain control of your mind, spirit and body.

Pilates become more than just a physical workout with these benefits. The effects you experience can even affect your mental health as Pilates permeates every aspect of your life.

This exercise is one to try if you have trouble staying focused and concentrated. Pilates encourage you to pay attention to your body and breath.


4) Strengthens immunity

The COVID-19 outbreak has taught us that having a strong immune system might be the difference between life and death. Now that we are aware that the virus targets the lungs, maintaining lung health and resistance is crucial.

You can strengthen your lungs by doing Pilates in addition to refraining from smoking and exposing yourself to pollutants. How can you do that?

The exercises start by ensuring proper posture so that the diaphragm may contract and rest as it should. Secondly, Pilates teaches breathing techniques that increase oxygen circulation, helping our bodies work more effectively and heal more quickly.

Pilates teaches us how to breathe properly, increasing our awareness of how our bodies function and our sensitivity to any warning signs of illness.


5) Reduces stress and anxiety

The neck, shoulders, chest and hips are where we tend to experience the most strain. We get increasingly stressed as a result of tension's progression from discomfort to agony. Pilates' idea is that to break the pattern of tension flow, we should learn how to move and think appropriately.

You learn how to pay attention to your body and respond constructively to your ideas in mat class. Pilates teaches you to focus on what is happening right now rather than on potential problems. It teaches you to be mindful.


Takeaway

Among the numerous benefits of taking a Pilates class is how it can enhance your entire fitness programme. It boosts your concentration and performance in other sports. If you are already following a regular workout regimen, incorporating Pilates into it will make that more fun.