Spring Strength Training with Pilates
Posted by Ian Kullhem on Apr 16, 2014
Summer is just around the corner and that means skimpier clothing. It’s opportunity to reveal your toned body – or not. Because Pilates tones muscle, as opposed to bulking up, it’s a great way to get your body in shape to show off toned upper arms, abs and thighs.
Of course, Pilates in the Pines can help you achieve a lean torso and a healthy confidence that goes with the new, trimmer, fitter you. As well, there are things you can incorporate you’re your everyday movements when you’re not doing Pilates to improve your fitness level and your appearance.
Engage your core by standing up straight. Hold your shoulders back (most of us hunch our shoulders forward and don’t even realize it). Tuck your buttocks in and feel the core section of your body engage. Feel that? Good. Catch yourself during the day and reposition your body to re-engage your core to this optimum position. You can re-engage while sitting too—at your desk or in your car or at the dinner table.
Include a Pilates workout in your routine at least three times a week. Working with weights addresses the muscles from “outside” the body; Pilates works from “within,” developing stability and core strength that ultimately extends to your limbs. From the inside-out, Pilates creates beautiful strength and tone as the muscles develop uniformly.
At Pilates in the Pines, we recommend that you augment your Pilates workout with cardio exercise on alternate days. The combination of Pilates and cardio result in a well-rounded routine and the variety is sure to keep your interest better than one simple exercise.
Come in to Pilates in the Pines and talk to us. We’ll gladly show you around and show you how movement and machines work in tandem while getting to a state of true physical fitness. Try Pilates for yourself; you’ll be amazed at how significant the workout is and how quickly you see changes for the better. Take the first steps toward the beauty of strength with Pilates in the Pines. See our online calendar. Call or email us. Drop into a group class and test drive a fitter you.