We are all aware that exercise is great for weight loss and overall health, a major goal of our team at AYC Health & Fitness.  However we also offer an ideal training facility to do Pilates in Kansas City.

 

Why try Pilates? Are you aware that certain types of exercises have different benefits for the body? Some exercises can actually help you heal from your injuries – such as Pilates.

What is Pilates?

According to MayoClinic.org, Pilates is a type of exercise similar to yoga. The exercise is made up of a system of low-impact endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility movements. Pilates focuses on your core – the obliques, the abdomen, the lower back, the hips, and the outer and inner thighs.

Pilates is also focused on pelvic and spinal alignment. This is essential for correct movement and avoidance of injury. The core is often referred to as the center of the body. Working out the core is important for strengthening and evening out (balancing) the system of muscles in the body.

How can Pilates help you heal from injuries?

1.  Improved Core Strength

The core muscles are more than the just abdominals. They are also comprised of the diaphragm, the muscles of the pelvic floor and spine, as well as the transverses abdominus – the deepest layer of the abdominals.

In order for these muscles to perform correctly, a proper sequence should occur. Pilates strengthens neuromuscular sequences so that your core muscles can support you and lessen the load on your spine. This results in reduced risk of injury and encourages your body to heal from its injuries.

2.  Improved Posture and Alignment

Correct posture and alignment decreases the load on your body and increases your body’s performance. A sporting injury you may have sustained in your youth that still bothers you years later could have negatively affected your posture.

Misalignment and bad posture may have resulted in improper healing. This is because of the extra weight your joints have had to carry. This can be fixed and/or greatly improved with Pilates workouts. Pilates focuses on proper alignment, strengthening the muscles, and helping the body support itself correctly. A properly aligned body functions better. This makes Pilates perfect for any active person, as well as Pilates helping to increase speed and efficiency, in addition to rehabilitation.

3.  Increased Flexibility

Pilates provides increased flexibility more than other forms of physical therapy. This is due to the fact that Pilates can be personalized and modified to suit the individual. Pilates can be tailored to help repair a type of injury. Even very basic Pilates exercises are effective because Pilates focuses on correct positioning for maximum results.

4.  Increased Awareness

Pilates demands intentional and specific movements. You need to be aware of your movements at all times. Pilates trains you to separate and target specific muscle groups in need of strengthening.

Increased awareness equals better control.

Therefore, if you are trying to recover from an injury, Pilates can help you strengthen the muscles surrounding that injury. This leads to additional support of the injured area, allowing you to make a faster recovery.

Pilates offers several other benefits. Athletes are able to recover faster, and old injuries can be healed. It is important to keep in mind that prevention of injuries is always a better option than trying to heal from one. The above benefits also help prevent injuries and improve quality of life.

Are you looking to workout with Pilates in Kansas City? AYC Health & Fitness is a personal training studio in Kansas City. We are in Prairie Village, KS and we specialize in personal training as well as a variety of services including Pilates, sports conditioning, and corporate wellness programs, to name a few.

Call AYC Health & Fitness today at 913-642-4437 or click to book a consultation to discuss your goals. Our Pilates trainers will be able to help you whether you’re recovering from an injury or want to improve your existing health.