Last week I was desperately trying to fit some size 38 (size M) pants...without any success. That was the moment I decided that my sedentary lifestyle has to change! Although I cannot change it drastically (because of my work) I started to look after some easy and efficient exercises. This is how I discovered the Pilates Method.
Pilates exercises were first developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900's. The exercises which were once meant to rehabilitate bedridden victims became one of today's most enjoyed workouts. The most common for Pilates exercises are the one executed on the floor (on a mat).
I find it a great advantage of this method that you won't sweat like a horse while jumping around in the gym and have no power to take a shower after the workout. Another advantage is that during the exercises you will lie on your back, relaxing the spine, isolating the muscles you work on.
As a beginner I exercise for 20 minutes and stretch for 10 minutes at the end.
Some of the exercises I chose are the following:
- always start with The Hundreds (I prefer the stretched legs version)
- Roll Up
- Single Leg Circle
- Single Leg Stretch
- Double Leg Stretch
- Single Straight Leg
- Criss-Cross
- The Saw
- The Seal
- Rolling Like a Ball
- Side kick series
- Spine Stretch Forward
