Burn More Calories Creating muscle mass is one of the best ways to increase calorie-burning potential. Pilates can help accomplish that in spades. “Simply stated, Pilates is strength training,” says Alycea Ungaro, owner of Real Pilates, in New York City. “We work with resistance to increase strength and hence, muscle mass. Using springs and different apparatus to increase the load to the muscles, we can affect a metabolic increase by building lean muscle mass.” Individuals can add a variety of


tools to a basic Pilates mat routine to help tone muscles all over and avoid boredom. “I enjoy adding bands, body rings and light weights to my routine because it provides variety and chal- lenges muscles in a different way,” says Cabán. Resistance bands are easily por- table, yet create a considerable amount of challenging resistance to help firm and tone. The body ring, well known among Pilates enthusiasts, is another re- sistance tool used during mat exercise, often focusing on the lower body and core muscles.


Once a favorite of 1930s New York City dancers George Balanchine and Martha Graham, Pilates now has 10 million


followers in the United States alone.


Look Thinner One of the best ways to look and feel thinner is to maintain good posture. Pilates helps create better posture by firming not only the abs, but the back, as well. “All Pilates work is performed with proper alignment and attention to posture. By establishing optimal spinal alignment, you can facilitate better circulation, improved lymphatic flow and increased stamina of the muscles along the spine,” says Ungaro. Not only will toned spinal muscles help with


Your local Pilates resources


Alexander Pilates 6237 Vance Road, Ste B, Chattanooga ▪ 423-544-5247 Heather@AlexanderPilates.com


Pilates Chattanooga 110 Market Street, Ste 213, Chattanooga ▪ 423-493-0775 PilatesChattanooga.com


Pilates In Motion 1320 Dodds Avenue,


Chattanooga ▪ 423-624-7462 PilatesMotion.Chattanooga@gmail.com


Pilates Tonic 401 N. Market Street,


Chattanooga ▪ 423-702-5233 PilatesTonic.com


continued weight loss vis-à-vis increased metabolism, standing up straight will au- tomatically make a person appear thin- ner, thereby increasing one’s confidence, as well. “You will stand taller, hold your waist tighter and feel stronger,” she adds.


Craft Core Muscles Pilates is all about core strength—front and side abdominals and the entire back. Toned abs and a strong back help to prevent injury, improve posture, reduce lower back pain and even promote proper bowel function. But the most


popular result is flat abdominals. “Pilates teaches people how to use


their abdominals correctly—how to con- tract the abdominal wall, rather than let it distend. This simple mechanism can be used 24/7 in your daily life. That is the single reason that Pilates flattens abs so quickly,” comments Ungaro.


Improve Eating Habits “The increased body awareness will also make you less likely to indulge in unhealthy eating habits,” notes Ungaro. Experiencing the improvements to your body and of what it’s capable is incred- ibly motivating. “You will have a new respect for your body and be more likely to take better care of it,” she says.


Complete with Cardio No weight loss regimen is complete without cardiovascular work. Com- bining the strength training of Pilates and a consistent cardio session works to help you lose weight and tone up nearly twice as fast as doing either routine on its own. Walking up hills works, or to add variety and challenge, “Consider swimming, running or the elliptical machine,” suggests Ungaro. “Steady-state activity is great for cardio conditioning.”


Victoria Everman, a freelance writer in San Francisco, California, contributes to Gaiam.com, from which this was adapted.


Fit to the Core


Class Options: Private • Duet


Apparatus • Group


• Stamina • Flexibility • Solid Core


• Strength • Tone


Warehouse Row 1110 Market St., Ste 213 Chattanooga, TN PilatesChattanooga.com 423-493-0775


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