Flourish - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 31
strength
The perfect tag team for a fitter,
happier you
BY CHRIS RABBA
What Pilates actually does
Why strength training
(and why trainers love it)
should be non-negotiable
Pilates is a mindful, lowimpact approach that centres
on core stability, posture,
breathing and controlled
movement. It can be done
on a mat or using machines
like the reformer, and it’s
widely used both as a
general 昀椀tness tool and in
rehabilita琀椀on se琀�ngs because
it improves 昀氀exibility, balance
and func琀椀onal strength.
Systema琀椀c reviews of the
research show Pilates can help
boost muscular endurance,
balance and func琀椀onal
performance — especially
in older adults and people
recovering from injury.
Don’t be fooled, strength
Pilates helps you move
be琀琀er, which makes heavier
strength work safer and
more e昀昀ec琀椀ve. Win-win.
helps you live be琀琀er and
training isn’t just for
bodybuilders. Regular
muscle-strengthening
ac琀椀vity protects bones,
preserves muscle as we
age, helps control blood
sugar, supports mental
health, and even 琀椀es into
lower all-cause mortality in
several studies and metaanalyses. There’s evidence
of a dose–response
e昀昀ect: modest amounts of
resistance training (around
an hour a week) can deliver
sizeable health returns.
In short: strength training
longer. It’s preven琀椀on, rehab
and quality-of-life rolled into
a few sets.
