All the celebrities are gushing about it but what exactly is Pilates and how it may help you? It might sound like a latest craze from Hollywood however Pilates has been around for years before it became a part of the mainstream exercise culture.

A German physical therapist, Joseph Pilates, devised it during World War I and Pilates made its way to the United States in 1920. It constitutes out of a little more then 500 different types of exercises, which are based on dance and yoga movements. The purpose of these exercises is to elongate the muscles, make them suppler as well as to improve the posture. That was one of the main reasons why dancers world over have embraced Pilates long before it reached the mainstream. There is no mindless repetition of exercises with Pilates, they are done only a few times but with a focus on precision and form.

And not only dancers and celebrities alike are Pilates enthusiasts, with it becoming mainstream and reaching masses, people are turning to Pilates because it can help them with chronic physical conditions. What is so unique for Pilates is that is a highly individualized type of workout. A trainer that guides you through the exercises, adapting them to your body and correcting you as you go along, is supervising you. And while it can be done in groups, personal trainer is important especially in the beginning to guide you through the process. Pilates is a good way of getting in shape, even if you suffer from chronic physical conditions, however it is not a way to lose weight, as it is not an aerobic exercise.

And while it might sound very appealing to just lie on a mat and not do much at all, to see benefits of Pilates it takes time and perseverance. And while there is no classic weight lifting, a Reformer – an apparatus with a set of springs, will provide the resistance needed to develop a flexible kind of strength. Oh and a muscle ache is to be expected. Who would have thought that laying on a mat can be so exhausting? Not to mention, even though you might hobble out of the Pilates studio due to muscle ache, you will feel more energized and centered then you have in years. So why not give it a go? It is no an exclusive workout anymore, in fact most gyms nowadays offer Pilates classes.