Free Pilates exercises that can be done at home can help you maintain proper body health in many ways. Pilates is like a cross between physical therapy and exercise, so it is only natural that you receive benefits from both just by doing Pilates.
Pilates is one of the most popular exercise types today because it is relatively easy and is far from the usual strenuous exercises but also offer invaluable benefits to the body. Some of the best benefits of Pilates is a better posture and stronger muscles all over the body. Pilates can also help relieve chronic back pain as well as any breathing problems you may have.
However, formal Pilates sessions at the gym or fitness club can be rather expensive. Fortunately, you can find free resources so you can also do Pilates without shelling out.
How to Benefit from Pilates for Free
- Free Online Pilates Guides and Videos
- Great Fat Burning Pilates Benefits for Weight Loss
- Easy Pilates Exercises to Try
1. Free Online Pilates Guides and Videos
There are many instructions and lists of free Pilates exercises available online, plus several helpful resources including Pilates videos. You can choose from a variety of exercises for all types of exercisers, from beginners, intermediate, and advanced. You can also use exercise plans for which Pilates equipment you have on hand; you can choose from exercise balls, stretch bands, mats, the magic circle, and so on. The different exercises also differ in focus; some are intended to flatten the abdomen, strengthen the legs and hips, and so on.
Thanks to all these highly detailed written and audio visual guides, you can easily do Pilates exercises free of charge in your own home.
2. Great Fat Burning Pilates Benefits for Weight Loss
You can also do free Pilates exercises during your free time. In fact, Pilates can even help you lose weight since it is considered a form of cardiovascular exercise, which is said to be the most effective exercise for losing weight.
Pilates may have a different approach from other cardiovascular exercises, but the effect is the same. Since Pilates regulates your breathing, it improves lung function and pumps sufficient oxygen to the heart. Since you also exert effort in stretching and working up your muscles, you also sweat and get your heart rate up. At this point, you start burning fat.
One problem, though, with doing your own free exercises at home is that no one will be able to monitor your activity but you. This means you need to have self-control and discipline, so you can do your Pilates exercises conscientiously enough to make you lose weight.
3. Easy Pilates Exercises to Try
Anyone can do free Pilates exercises, as long as they have sufficient stamina for the exercises they choose. It doesn’t matter what age you are. Pilates is primarily used to treat back pains, but it can also be used, even without symptoms of back pain, to maintain the body’s flexibility and fitness. Here are some easy Pilates exercises you can try at home.
The Double Leg Stretch – To do this exercise, lie on the floor flat on your back with your hands behind your head. Your elbows should be pointed up. Once in position, you can slowly lift your legs up from the floor and bend your knees a little, with your legs in a relaxed position. Then, exhale deeply and tuck your chin towards your chest, at the same time lifting your head from the floor. Then, extend your legs and straighten, then inhale and slowly lower your head and legs again.
The Spine Stretch – To do this exercise, sit on the floor with legs and arms stretched out. Slouch as forward as you can reach and tuck your head in so that it is flanked by both your arms. Repeat this motion for 5 to 10 times in a single session. This is one of the easiest free Pilates exercises you can do.
Breathing – An Integral Part of Pilates
Regardless of which Pilates exercises you do, don’t forget that breathing is an integral part of Pilates. It is as important as the movements themselves.
So what’s the right breathing method in Pilates? You have to breathe in through the nose, but breathe out through the mouth.
Thus, to enjoy the many benefits of Pilates, you should always maintain the right breathing pattern while doing your free Pilates exercises.