The Ultimate Test Of A Lean And Flexible Body – Can You Touch Yours?
Try to bend down and touch your toes. Can you? It’s hard to believe doing something as simple as touching toes, which we did often as children became an impossible feat as we get older. This is simply due to lack of flexibility.
Fit people spend the majority of their time in the gym, either on the elliptical machine, treadmill and sometimes walking outside, running and taking part in some strength training. While this is good, it’s not enough. Even exceeded levels of cardio and strength training won’t help you touch your toes!
Pilates is an Excellent Way to Get a Lean and Flexible Body
Being able to touch our toes tells how flexible your body is. This measure of flexibility, while seeming natural in children seems to be the opposite as we grow older but this doesn’t mean we can no longer be flexible! Pilates is an excellent core strengthening exercise to achieve this. People should also consider the following when engaging in Pilates to increase flexibility;
Slowing Down Is Best
Typically during workouts and cardio training, more time is spent on boosting endurance and speed. In fact, many workouts and training exercises are fashioned to increase endurance and strength with little focus spent on flexibility. Pilates helps and in stark contrast to jogging and strength training, focuses on slowing down. With slow music playing in the background and slow movements being followed, each move is deliberate and focused.
Emphasis on Breathing
Breathing is an important part of running and strength training exercises but it’s even more important when it comes to Pilates and flexibility training. Good breathing, i.e. in through your nose and out through your mouth helps with the movements.
Patience Is Everything
Pilates is a bit different from what people normally add into their workouts. Tackling any workout or training exercise for the first time is hard and it’s no different than Pilates. To get through, beginners should employ the help of a good Pilates instructor. Book pilates class in NYC.
Most people aren’t comfortable with trying something new but adding Pilates into your regular workout regime will be worth it! Always remember, it takes time, patience and a whole lot of effort to do something as simple as touch your toes but the feeling after, rises above all that. Considering taking Pilates classes for beginners? Book Pilates at FitEngine today! Try FitEngine Fitness Flexibility, Stretch, and Mobility class.
