The Benefits of Chair Pilates
For me Pilates has always been about movement and keeping people mobile. Many articles & advertisements show young, fit, toned individuals looking like models and instructors in seemingly impossible positions.
But that simply is not Pilates. Pilates really is for everyone. I have people from 17 to 96 years of age, different body shapes, different fitness levels and different abilities. I do my best, to adapt exercises so that everyone can do something and work towards performing the original exercise correctly.
This year I have moved towards offering chair-based Pilates to open the classes to even more people who may feel they wouldn’t manage a mat-based class.
The chair-based classes are particularly ideal for people with mobility & balance issues, including older people and anyone who feels once they get down on a mat they will never get back up!
The exercises in each class are generally worked from a seated position, but the chair can be used as a balance aid in a standing position. This is great to improve balance and give confidence. The exercises can involve using body weight for resistance, but also bands, balls and weights.
The Benefits of Chair based Pilates:
Core strength & muscle toning: Chair based exercises engage & strengthen the muscles that make up the core. The core is crucial for protecting the spine during movement, general balance & stability and controlling limb movement. Through controlled movement and use of bodyweight and small equipment, all muscles throughout the body can be worked, strengthened and toned. Giving all over body definition and confidence.
Balance and stability: As mentioned above core and general muscle strength improve, which in turn contribute to better balance and injury prevention from falls and twists. Controlled movements through various exercises also improve co-ordination, again contributing to better balance.
Reduction in back and joint pain: The chair can be used to provide support for your back allowing time for core strength & stability to improve. Bad posture also contributes to back pain, Pilates improves posture through a range of exercises therefore reducing back pain. Many exercises are low impact on joints. This gives time for muscle strength to build to aid and protect joints, which can also reduce generalised joint pain from osteoarthritis or injury.
Improved flexibility: Controlled warm up exercises, cool down stretches and the actual Pilates exercises all contribute to improved flexibility.
Bone density: Moving your body against gravity, resistance bands and light weights have been shown to improve bone density. Bone density, particularly in women can decrease with age, so resistance training should be incorporated with any exercise regime as we age.
Other benefits:
Supports post injury or surgery recovery.
Ability to reduce levels of anxiety & stress, as can many forms of exercise.
Mindful movement and breath control also aid stress reduction, boosting energy levels and improving general movement
Chair Pilates works for building confidence, working the body with support where and when needed, improving balance and stability, strength and helps reduction of anxiety and stress.
An additional bonus is the fun to be had and friendships to be made. Plus coming to Pilates Near Me gives you access to a wonderfully supportive community and ongoing advice.
