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There’s a vast selection of workouts and exercises when it comes to fitness. You can either do it at home or splurge your money on the gym. One popular fitness method is Pilates.
The founder of the Pilates method is none other than the late Joseph Pilates, where he worked with a variety of bodies to create movement as a form of exercise. Starting in the 1970s, celebrities in Hollywood began to use Pilates as a way to sculpt their bodies. Sports leagues such as the NFL, MLB, and NBA have even embraced Pilates.
Today, there are over 9 million Americans that have practiced Pilates and will probably continue to grow through the years with more advanced combination of movements and practices.
Cardio and Pilates: Do They Go Well Together?
Yes, they indeed go well together.
Pilates uses a variety of exercises. From the equipment you’ll use, down to the teacher incorporating different exercises; There are plenty of options that make Pilates great for cardiovascular health.
Not only for cardio, but for your body as a whole too. Pilates can improve your posture, balance, and core strength as you progress through the program. Enabling you to do more and increase your ability to engage intense physical activities.
Cardio Tips for Pilates
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Pick up the pace to get your heart rhythm going
If you want to go further with your Pilates workout, then try the cardio HIT Mat Fusion paired with online Pilates teacher Jeremy Laverdure and Cara Resser. They teach calisthenics, Pilates, and high-intensity training in one in order to get your cardiovascular health at its peak. For dancers, Tracey Mallett’s barre Pilates fusion class mixes Pilate exercises with dancing to get your body going and heart beating.
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Athletic workouts
For athletic workouts, try looking up for Courtney Miller and John Garey where they teach Pilates with a dash of sports that will surely get your heart pumping.
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Consistency is Key
Pilates will get harder as you go on, but as long as you’re consistent, you’ll be fine. Just find your flow and pick up the pace to get your heart going.
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Go deeper
The goal with any exercise regime is to push yourself beyond the point of comfort. If you never go past this threshold your body won’t have a reason to adapt, build muscle and improve capacity for more.
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Breathing technique
Remember, any cardio based workout requires proper breathing technique in order to keep going. Remember to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. This oxygenates the blood and prevents cramping during your workout.
Pilates: Viable for People with Heart Conditions?
Just like any other exercise regime, it’s best to have a trip to your doctor’s office first so he/she can give you advice on what’s best for you. Once the doctor is done evaluating your medical records and has made their determination, it’s still ideal to check your heart rate during your training sessions.
You may want to avoid particular movements or exercises if your heart can’t handle it. Go to classes that you’re compatible with and talk to the instructor. Tell them about your pre-existing conditions and they’ll be able to provide you with ways to approach specific exercises in a safe manner.
