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How can Pilates and weight training benefit me?
Pilates is a system of exercise, which incorporates strengthening, and stretching at the same time. All exercises are focused on core strength and proper body mechanics. If you are on a computer frequently and feel tightness in your neck and shoulders Pilates can help you feel better and teach you proper body mechanics. If you have an old injury that is preventing you from working out, Pilates can bridge the gap, and help you start getting in shape now.
Pilates is also perfect after having a baby or having abdominal surgery. Pilates actually helps “weave’ back stomach muscles that have become distended or have been cut in surgery. It can return your waistline to what it was before pregnancy. Sit-ups cannot do this for you because they are not activating your deepest core muscles that cinch your waist. Your deepest core muscles act as a natural girdle or corset. This is why people who do Pilates frequently say that their whole mid section has “transformed”. It is also why chronic back and spinal issues often resolve themselves after doing a customized Pilates program. These deep core muscles stabilize and protect the spine as well as creating a slimmer more fit appearance.
Weight training is the best way to lose fat and keep it off. Studies show people start losing lean body mass at the rate of 1 pound a year after the age of thirty. What this translates into is a lower more sluggish metabolism and a set up to gain fat, which translates into a gain of inches, and a less toned appearance. By incorporating a weightlifting routine into your week, you can basically counteract the aging in process.
Weight training is an overall healthier way to lose fat. If you weight train along with proper nutrition you change your body’s composition, losing fat but creating lean body mass. This creates a healthy body and overall toned sculpted look. Along with lean body mass, it also increases bone density, which can protect you from osteoporosis as you age.
Weight lifting makes you stronger and more capable of daily activities such as carrying kids, groceries, camping gear etc. Losing weight by restricting calories alone can reduce muscle mass and bone density. This is why after an extreme diet or fasting, weight gain usually follows. If you lose weight doing weight training your metabolism increases and your weight stabilizes at a lower more natural body weight.
Very few trainers design workout routines using both weights and pilates. I believe this is the state of the art way to train. It brings the ultimate wellness, health and lean fitness that most people are looking for. My customized routines incorporate the best of both Pilates and weight training. Please contact me for a free 30 minute evaluation of your goals how my training program will help you reach them.
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