Feeling guilty after overeating during the holidays? You are not alone. Getting back into the swing of an exercise routine after an indulgent festive season can be tough, as can starting a New Year weight loss resolution.
Since Pilates is less intensive than cardio, many argue it is an inefficient exercise for weight loss. Natalie Ziegler, director at Core The Studio, a Pilates studio in London, argues that Pilates can eventually help you lose more weight than cardio workouts on the principle that you are building muscle rather than just burning calories.
Below are Natalie’s top 8 reasons why Pilates is so effective for weight loss:
#1 Pilates boosts your metabolism
Pilates is based on resistance training, which is scientifically proven to create lean muscle. With cardio, the moment you stop exercising you stop burning calories. Pilates workouts utilise a combination of bodyweight and actual weight training, using resistance devices such as Pilates rings, Pilates bands, foam rollers, or Pilates Reformers like the ones Natalie uses in her sessions at Core The Studio. Since Pilates builds muscle, your body continues to burn calories all day long.
#2 Pilates is great for reducing stress
Stress has long been associated with a more diet and overeating. More stress causes the body to release more cortisol, resulting in a higher appetite. Since Pilates works on building a connection between your body and mind, it is great for relaxation and calming any binge eating nerves.
#3 Pilates encourages mindful eating
Psychologists say that eaters can be categorised into two groups; those who rely on hunger to know when to eat (mindful eaters), and those who control eating through willpower (controlled eaters).
Mindful eaters are scientifically proven to spend less time thinking about food and are therefore less vulnerable to overeating. Pilates teaches you to listen to your body more, which will help you to eat less.
#4 Pilates strengthens your core and shreds belly fat
Pilates works on strengthening the core muscles, rather than just the abdominal muscles, meaning you are toning your stomach, upper back, lower back, and obliques, working all of them together to stabilise your body and movements. Natalie from Core The Studio can tailor her Pilates sessions to target problem areas like belly fat, at the request of her clients, to ensure they see the results they’re after.
#5 Pilates is easy to enjoy
Unlike intense cardio workouts at the gym, Pilates doesn’t make you want to quit 5 minutes into your class. Simply put, your ability to stick to Pilates increases its sustainability and therefore your results, motivating you further to continue with it.
#6 There is little risk of injury
Twisted ankles can put a fast halt to any exercise routine you have managed to keep up with, and lengthy periods of time out can quickly undo your progress and demotivate you. As Pilates is a slow, high resistance form of exercise, you are a lot less likely to accidently injure yourself. Additionally, your strengthened core and improved flexibility stabilise your movements make you less prone to any accidents.
#7 Pilates makes you more comfortable with exercise
Most of us have felt intimidated at the prospect of going to a new gym or exercise class at some point or another. Pilates allows you to get comfortable with going to the gym in a relaxing environment, which in turn can encourage curiosity of other modes of fitness.
#8 Pilates encourages physically activity
Pilates is fantastic for its versatility. It can be performed anywhere, anytime, with as much or as little equipment as you like, meaning there’s no excuse for missing a workout.
For more tips on how Pilates can help you lose weight and tone up, why not visit Core The Studio, where Natalie can help you get started on your Pilates transformation.
To book a class, just visit http://www.corethestudio.com/
