Weight Loss from Pilates– Can It Be Real?

Many people join group Pilates sessions in the hope of losing weight and get a slender physique like a dancer. The question is “can it be realistic? Can Pilates really serve as the diet pill that some people think it is? Well, the basic Pilates exercises are meant for core strengthening and cannot facilitate fat burning unless you take it to the advanced levels. In simple words, blending aerobics with Pilates can help in achieving weight loss.

However, the Pilates performer must be more realistic. If you join a Pilates session in the hope that it can help you lose 60 pounds of weight and get a rock hard bum, then that’s just dreaming with open eyes. For most people Pilates exercises are just a fad or misinterpretation. They have weight loss on their mind but Pilates produces a sculpting effect without changing the body weight.

Losing weight with Pilates

Just burn more calories than you consume and it will keep you tight. There is one thing for sure, weight is directly associated with calorie intake. If you wish to burn more calories than you take, it’s important to know the number of calories utilized in exercise. Even after an intensive hour of Pilates, the number of calorie consumption is not that big.

Con the contrary, aerobics, cycling and other sports can help you burn calories but then they are not as good for body sculpting. Hence doing only Pilates will leave a gap and achieving weight loss becomes difficult.

Comparing Pilates with other weight loss exercises

A comparison of Pilates with a list of general exercises elucidates that the calories burnt are just midway between extreme exercises like running and walking. Losing weight with Pilates is achievable to some extent. The only problem starts when people do it for the sole reason of losing weight. If you wish to see a lesser number every time you step on that weighing machine, then I would suggest trying other exercises for weight loss.

The actual idea of fitness is to trim the fat and strengthen the muscles such that they get well-toned. Overall weight loss could also mean loss of lean muscles. I would conclude on the note that weight loss with Pilates is achievable but not the way most people want it. If you are too desperate to lose tons of weight, I suggest trying other exercises.

Shaping the Body with Resistance Band Pilates Exercises

When Pilates was introduced, resistance bands were not used in exercises. This modification came into practice in recent years to enhance the experience of stretching movements. These bands play a role in strengthening the core by providing resistance so that the performer generates required force to take a position.

• Pilates exercises with bands

The right choice of bands is an important consideration before taking up Pilates exercises. However, the ribbon-like tubing band is the most likely choice since it aides in coordinated movements and improves flexibility of muscles. Resistance band exercises can help tone both the upper and the lower body. Read on for Pilates band exercises for sculpting specific body parts

• Frog exercise for Shoulder

The performer has to lie on the back while bringing the knees towards the chest. The band has to be wrapped on the feet and the other end should go beneath you right beneath the shoulder and chest region. Balance your shoulders on the band while force is exerted to take them to a taut position. The arms placed inside the loop of the band will also be shaped in this way.

• The hundred exercise for Back

All traditional back exercises of Pilates will gain more momentum when resistance band is used. It will provide uniform strength to the muscles of back and core. At one end, the band has to be supported with the feet while the other end will go on your back. During Pilates moves, the strain can be felt in the back and abdomen region. This exercise is performed while lying on your back and the exercise is also good for arm sculpting.

• Pilates exercise for Abdomen

The best exercise for the lower body is cycling or paddling. Pilates band will offer the resistance of paddles and this will immensely help in building lower body posture. Most of the Pilates exercises for abs are centered around strengthening the core for correct posture. In this case, the resistance band will come in contact with the lower body.  While the performer lies on the back, the upper body must be slightly lifted from the ground and hands must be used to support the head. When the legs are switched, the upper body must rotate in the direction where you rotate. Since this exercise involves hand movement, it’s good for the biceps muscles as well. 

• Stretches for legs

All exercises aimed for lower body can strengthen legs, thighs and pelvis region. In Pilates exercise for legs, the performer must lie on his back and one end of the band is supported by feet while keeping the legs outstretched. Try not to bend the knees and maintain the tautness of the band by pulling it with your hands. Hold your breath and count seconds in your head and continue the same exercise with the other leg. Since the legs are lifted and rotated like in paddling, it is good for legs as well pelvis region.

Pilates workout with resistance bands is an excellent exercise routine for people of all ages.

Sciatica Therapy with Pilates Magic Ball

For those who seek ultimate relief against sciatica, there are various Pilates ball exercises to alleviate this painful condition. However, people often complain that their sciatica pain is worsened after stretches. Sciatica is a sensitive condition and the pain worsens when people do it wrong. But before discussing the magic ball Pilates exercises, lets first clarify that sciatica is not a real disorder but a mere symptoms of other problems. If you are able to identify the cause of your symptoms, it will be easier to find the right ball exercises against the discomfort.

Sciatica due to herniated disc

When the symptom of sciatica emerges when there is disturbance in herniated disc. When this disc protrudes backwards to compress sciatic nerve, it results in an excruciating pain that starts from the legs and goes up to your button. Pilates magic ball can be used to help shift or localize the pain. It starts with sitting straight on the edge of the ball while the feet remain flat on the ground. The performer has to move back slowly so that the hands can reach the floor. The back will then rest on the ball while you remain in an arched position.

Sciatica from Isthmic Spondylolisthsis

When there is any major disturbance in the spinal column, the vertebrae of the region get affected. This condition can remain dormant in the childhood due to muscular flexibility but as the muscles grow stiff, pain starts to develop. Mostly flex-based exercises along with stabilization can treat this disease with success.

Sciatica due to Spinal Steno sis

This is an age-related condition or may result from traumatic accidents. Spinal Steno sis causes constriction of merve passages. The sufferer feels pain while walking and can only be suppressed by sitting. Bending exercises or stretches for lower back muscles are ideal in this case. You can either perform this exercise while standing but its best when performed while sitting on the magic ball. In this way, the magic ball bears all the weight

Sciatica resulting from degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease is a condition that worsens with age when the degenerated disc presses on the nerve and causes pain in lower back. The best cure for this condition is possible when movement of some segments is restricted. On the flip side, magic ball can show some miracle for those perform lower appropriately.

Pilates Exercises - Cut To the Core

 

Wellness and general fitness is an integral part of life but very few people do it the right way. Perhaps you tried embracing health and fitness through gut crunching and intense exercises without any fruitful results. Whether it's intense cardio, swimming or slinging weights for an hour, people waste lot of their time and money in achieving that sleek and finely chiseled figure that everyone would adore.

However, very few actually reach the state they idealize. What do you suppose they are doing wrong? Though all of the above mentioned exercises burn calories to some extent, there is something missing. Most exercises target various parts of the body and they also cause weight loss but they just can't chisel your mid-section.

For instance, aerobics is a good exercise for hands and legs but it does not focus on the core. On the flip side, Pilates is an exceptional form of workout routine that focuses on strengthening the core. Pilates moves can trigger fat burning but its claim to fame is the fact that it changes your body shape without causing any side-effects to bones and joints like most exercises. It's true that most people start Pilates in the hope of losing weight but the flattering comments on the body will not let them quit.

If you wish to cut the chase and go straight to strengthening and refining the core, then Pilates exercises are for you. When we say Pilates is core-centric, it means the focus lies on the back and abs to work in sync for the proper alignment and protection of the spine. However, the idea of core is not just centered on the abs and chest; it goes beyond to the neglected areas like the inner thighs and pelvis.

Pilates teaches how to engage the core to support the torso or the spinal region by generating support from the core. A few sessions into a Pilates class, mat or private session will change the way you move, run, bend and do other activities. Such is the power of this unique form of exercise.

Unlike other workouts or gym routines, Simple Pilates moves only focus on the core and midsection. Everyone desires strong and finely chiseled abs but they go for weight loss instead. Let's just say that they are tricked into believing that weight loss is key to fitness. Most people aiming for weight loss end up frustrated because no matter how much weight they lose, the core still feels sluggish and unrefined. Pilates brings in an approach to cut the chase and focus purely on the core.

I am a writer, blogger and fitness geek. Ask me anything about health and fitness and I would love to share some valuable information. Refer to my other Pilates articles for help on fitness and a healthy lifestyle.