Pilates for Men's Health
The quick answer is "yes" - it's for everybody!
There are many ways that Pilates can help improve men’s health. Apart from all the general health benefits that Pilates offers: better joint health, a stronger and more mobile spine, shoulders and hips, there are also specific health problems that men can suffer from which Pilates can help.
Before going into those, lets just recap on the benefits of Pilates for everyone!
The Benefits of Pilates
Pilates done properly, under the careful supervision of a properly comprehensively trained teacher, has benefits for everyone:
- Improved flexibility and joint mobility
- Greater strength and muscle tone
- Improved respiratory system
- Improved lymphatic circulation = improved immunity
- Lowered stress levels
- A trimmer waist and flatter stomach
- Better posture and postural awareness
- Toned buttocks, thighs and calves
- Improved foot mobility and strength
- Improved shoulder mobility and strength
- Generally improved muscle tone
- Fewer posture related headaches
- Less incidence of back pain
- Increased bone density
- Improved joint health and mobility
- Faster recovery time after endurance sports like running and cycling
- Reverse the negative effects of repetitive activities and sports
Prostrate Health
Every Pilates exercise involves working the pelvic floor (this is because we activate the glutes and abdomen in just about every exercise) and though it is usually associated with women’s health, a healthy and strong pelvic floor can minimise the risk of prostrate problems – this affects 1 in 3 men over the age of 50!
Heart and Circulatory System
Although Pilates doesn’t raise the heart rate like cycling or running does, once you’ve got the hang of the basic exercises so that you can practice them at a good pace, your heart rate will increase.
Stress
If you have a stressful job the relaxing nature of a Pilates session (although you’re still working hard) before or after work helps to “reset” your body.
Improved Sleep.
Many people report that they sleep much better after doing a Pilates session. They fall asleep faster and sleep better allowing them to wake up feel bright and refreshed and read for a new day.
Recovery from Gym & other sports
If you love running, cycling or going to the gym, the repetitive nature of these activities results in muscle imbalances. Pilates done proper wakes up the smaller “postural muscles” and gets them working again, allowing them to achieve a balances with the more dominant “big movers” that these activities target.
Spinal and Joint Stiffness with Age
As we age we tend to become more immobile a regular Pilates Practice supervised by an appropriately Comprehensive Trained and Certified Pilates teacher an even reverse this process.
Middle Age Spread
On it’s own, Pilates will not help you lose weight. But a regular Pilates Practice will help you stay more active that will help you stay slim AND the positive changes that Pilates cause to you body will inspire you to make changes to your diet as well!
Find out more:
If you have found this material useful, why not find out more by booking a “First Lesson”?
- Online Health Screening
- Postural Assessment whilst you move
- We’ll create your personal programme
