For quite some time, people have been praising Pilates for its knack for boosting flexibility and building core strength while fostering a sense of being.
Typically focused on using your body weight and controlled movements for exercise purposes, this physical activity has taken a turn with the trend of adding hand weights to Pilates routines.
This tweak comes with a host of advantages by elevating workout sessions to an impactful level. So, read on and gain valuable insights.
Enhancing muscle strength
Incorporating hand weights into Pilates routines can greatly boost muscle strength levels and overall fitness outcomes. Traditional Pilates primarily emphasises core strength development however, using weights adds a dimension of resistance that engages muscle groups, promoting muscle building.
Improving bone density
Engaging in exercises that involve bearing weight is important for keeping bones strong and healthy. Incorporating hand weights into your Pilates workouts introduces a weight-bearing aspect that supports bone health.
Consistent use of weights can lower the chances of developing osteoporosis and experiencing fractures, which is an advantage for individuals. Just make sure you use them under the supervision of experienced professionals like the ones at Fluidform Pilates.
Boosting metabolism
Integrating hand weights into Pilates can help enhance metabolism levels, as the extra resistance demands energy output and results in calorie consumption during and beyond the workout session.
These changes in metabolic activity can contribute to weight control over time as muscles develop and strengthen while also improving the body’s basal metabolic rate for the maintenance of a healthy weight.
Enhancing coordination and balance
Using hand weights during Pilates exercises can help with coordination and balance by making movements more challenging and requiring increased concentration and stability, from both the mind and body working together effectively. This combined effort improves connections between nerves and muscles for coordination.
Increasing workout intensity
Using hand weights during Pilates sessions can significantly enhance the intensity of the workout experience.
This added challenge helps push boundaries, making the sessions more impactful for building both strength and endurance. The heightened intensity leads to workouts that enable individuals to reach their fitness objectives more swiftly.
Supporting functional fitness
Functional fitness emphasises workouts that replicate tasks to enhance functionality in daily life routines and activities.
Pilates exercises that use hand weights to boost functional fitness by integrating resistance into daily movements, like lifting and reaching during workout sessions that imitate real-life activities, make for easier and safer completion of everyday tasks. This is especially advantageous for older individuals in preserving their autonomy.
Adapting for all fitness levels
Pilates can be customised for individuals of different fitness levels using hand weights.
Those new to the exercise can begin with lighter weights and progress to heavier ones as they get stronger, while experienced practitioners can test themselves by using heavier weights to push their boundaries and enhance their practice flexibility. As such, people of any fitness level can derive benefits from incorporating hand weights into their Pilates routine.
Promoting mind-body connection
In the world of fitness and wellness practices, Pilates prioritises the link between the mind and body connection that’s crucial for overall wellbeing and performance improvement.
Incorporating hand weights into your routine further strengthens this bond as it demands increased focus and control with every movement involving weights. It encourages you to stay present during your workouts, fostering mindfulness.
Welcoming the use of hand weights in Pilates
Using hand weights during Pilates offers a range of advantages, such as increasing muscle strength and bone density while also boosting metabolism and supporting fitness goals.
The integration of hand weights adds an element to Pilates routines, making them more efficient and effective for all individuals regardless of their fitness level.
Welcoming the use of hand weights in Pilates not only improves health but also enhances the connection between mind and body, resulting in overall wellness.