Do you love Pilates but are looking for a fresh spin on your workouts? Or do you spend the day sitting in the car and at your desk and would love to challenge and engage your legs at the end of the day. Standing UP Pilates may be what you’re looking for!
In this blog post, I would like to share how Standing UP Pilates began and I will mention a few of it’s benefits and who’s it for.
Beginning of Standing Up Pilates
Initially Joseph Pilates created the lying down exercise method to accommodate and rehabilitate wounded soldiers in WW1. And as they gained mobility and strength, he progressed it into seated and then standing workout . It make sense, Yeh?!
Standing Pilates was further developed by Joan Breitbart, Founder of Physical Mind Institute.
Benefits of Standing Up Pilates
While adding a bit of variation and fun, standing Pilates has many physical benefits.
The most obvious benefits of Standing up Pilates is to gain leg strength, core power and balance are all a great fit.
1. Leg Strength
The challenge of gravity and your full weight onto your legs increases your leg strength. There are plenty of exercises in Pilates laying down that work and challenge leg muscles. But bring those same movements into a standing position, your legs will strengthen I.e. ‘side kick’ – traditionally done laying on your side; but while standing besides leg strength, you’ll work your glutes and increase hip mobility.
2. Improve Core Power
In Standing up Pilates the strength and ability come from the centre of our body and so the core muscle are vital in keeping the body up right and in total balance.
3. Builds Balance
Standing Pilates will help improve balance through improved body awareness, core strength and mental confidence to execute new movements on one or both feet. Standing Pilates is excellent prevention from falls.
Who Should Do Standing Pilates?
Standing Pilates is great for those both new to Pilates and the regular class attendees.
The seasoned Pilates devotee may enjoy a new spin on exercises they are already familiar with on the mat.
Have you ever wondered why we lose balance with age?
Well, let me share with you my exciting discovery – there is nothing directly age related that links age to the loss of balance. The poor balance is all down to a bad posture and weak legs.