9 Reasons Why You Should Try Aerial Pilates

Pilates has been in the U.S circa the 1920s. It was introduced into the country by a German physical trainer known as Joseph Pilates, as a means of helping dancers and athletes to resume exercising safely so that they can continue being fit.

Since then, this type of workout has evolved into different forms and types.

One of the most popular variations is Aerial Pilates.

As its name suggests, Aerial Pilates is a form of Pilates that entails the use of aerial hammocks or yoga swings.

 

With Aerial Pilates, you will be doing most of the exercises that you would do in a normal Pilates class.

But instead, you will be doing these exercises using aerial exercise equipment like aerial hammocks, aerial silks and aerial yoga swings.

This combination results in a fun but a challenging type of workout, with plenty of anti-gravity benefits, including spine decompression, enhanced flexibility and improved joint mobility, just to name a few.

Today we will walk you through 9 reasons why you should incorporate Aerial Pilates into your fitness routine.

 

Improved Core Strength

Your body’s core muscles are those found in the abdomen, pelvic floor and back. These muscles play a key role in supporting the spine, thus sparing it from excessive load. Core muscles also help to maintain an upright posture while promoting efficient movement patterns.

Also, when your core muscles are strong, your body’s frame will be properly supported. And with this support, your shoulders and neck can relax while the rest of your body’s muscles and joints, will be free to attend to their tasks comfortably.

So, if you have a weak core, you can experience a wide range of issues such as lower back pain, bad balance, difficulty breathing, poor posture and low standing endurance, just to name a few.

Fortunately, Aerial Pilates can help to remedy this. Aerial Pilates entails a wide range of abdominal exercises.

These exercises can go a long way in enhancing the strength of your core muscles. Also, the exercises that you will be doing during your Aerial Pilates session can help to boost your overall endurance.

You will find yourself more productive both at work and while attending to your personal tasks.

 

Better Posture

Poor posture can lead to a wide range of health-related issues like back pain, rounded shoulders, spinal dysfunction, a potbelly, joint degeneration, and shoulder pain, just to name a few.

Hence, you should always strive to have good posture, regardless of your age. And various types of exercises, including Aerial Pilates, can help to improve your posture.

Aerial Pilates workouts focus on full-body alignment, maintaining a balance of opposing muscles and optimal range of motion throughout your joints.

And as you may expect, a combination of these exercises will help to strengthen various posture muscles, thus helping to improve your posture.

So, if you have been suffering from posture-related health issues and you are not in a position to handle an intensive workout session, then you should consider Aerial Pilates.

 

Enhanced Flexibility

Another reason why you should incorporate Aerial Pilates into your workout routine is that it can lead to better flexibility. Most of the movements and exercises in Aerial Pilates entail stretching.

Sidekicks are one of such movements. Sidekicks will stretch the entire back. It will stretch your hamstrings, calves, glutes and back muscles.

So, if you practice Aerial Pilates regularly, then your entire body will become more flexible.

And having a flexible body comes with numerous benefits. For instance, your workouts will be more efficient and effective.

Furthermore, you will also be feeling better every day. Also, if your work entails lifting heavy loads, having a flexible body will help to minimize injuries.

 

Improved Balance

Aerial Pilates can also help to boost your balance. A study was conducted in 2007, to determine the body’s response to Pilates-based exercises and workouts, on dynamic balance. This study was conducted by a certified Pilates instructor on 34 healthy adults.

According to this study, participants who completed various Pilates exercises saw a considerable shift in dynamic balance, compared to those that didn’t. Dynamic balance is the body’s ability to maintain optimal balance when you are changing positions or moving.

Hence, you can also expect similar results with Aerial Pilates.

So, how can Aerial Pilates manage to accomplish this?

Well, your body balance depends on three main aspects. There are your core strength, interoception and proprioception. Interoception refers to the awareness of how you move while proprioception refers to awareness of your body’s positioning in space.

Aerial Pilates workouts and exercises can help to improve all these three areas. And this explains why going doing Aerial Pilates workouts regularly can help to improve your overall balance.

 

Improved Coordination

Aerial Pilates workouts can also lead to better body coordination. The main reason behind this is that Pilates entails various types of exercises and movements, which require various parts of your body to work in harmony.

For instance, when you are doing roll-ups on your aerial silks, your glutes and abs will have to work in tandem, to stabilize your legs. At the same time, you will be lifting and lowering your upper body, among other movements.

And as you do these exercises regularly, you will eventually master how to coordinate various muscles or parts of your body, to accomplish your different Aerial Pilates workouts.

So, what’s the benefit of better coordination? Well, improved coordination comes with numerous benefits.

For instance, if you are an athlete, better coordination will lead to improved form and technique. And even if you are not an athlete, improved coordination will help to you to be moving more efficiently and effectively, thus helping to reduce injuries.

 

Better Athletic Performance

If you are an athlete, adding Aerial Pilates to your workout routine can considerably help to enhance your athletic performance.

As earlier mentioned, Aerial Pilates can help to boost your mobility, strength and flexibility. And all these three will go a long way in boosting the efficiency of your movements.

Also, Aerial Pilates can increase body awareness and coordination. And as a result, your brain will be accessing the needed muscles more efficiently.

So, regardless of the type of sport that you participate in, Aerial Pilates can help to take your performance to the next level.

And this explains why some athletes have already started practicing Pilates, as part of their training.

 

Faster and Safer Recovery from Injuries

Muscular and joint injuries can sideline you and prevent you from doing the things that you love. For instance, if you love playing football during your free time, a serious hamstring injury may sideline you for a couple of months. And this means you have to quit playing football.

But to maintain your form, you also have to be working out moderately. Unfortunately, most of the conventional workouts are too intense for someone recovering from an injury. And this is where Aerial Pilates comes in.

Unlike conventional workouts, Aerial Pilates is a less-intense, low-impact exercise, which will be gentle on your joints, bones and muscles. Therefore, it will be a great exercise option for someone who can’t engage in intense exercises, such as a person recovering from an injury.

Hence, Aerial Pilates can help you to maintain your fitness and accelerate your recovery. And within no time, you will be back to doing the things that you love.

 

Aerial Pilates Can Alleviate Stress

Stress is a normal part of life. It can be caused by work, family, or poor health, among other issues. And once you are stressed, the quality of your life can reduce significantly. Also, ongoing chronic stress can lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

While there are several stress-coping methods available, exercises such as Aerial Pilates, remain one of the most effective, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

An Aerial Pilates workout session can help to release the feel-good hormones known as endorphins, leaving you feeling less stressed. Aerial Pilates exercises can help to increase your self-confidence, help you relax, improve your mood and reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Furthermore, Aerial Pilates workouts may also help you to sleep better, which is usually disrupted by anxiety, depression and stress. So, whether you are an athlete or not, incorporating Aerial Pilates workouts into your routine can help to reduce stress and improve the quality of your life.

 

Can Promote Weight Loss

To lose weight, you have to be burning more calories than you are consuming. And similar to other exercises, Aerial Pilates can help you to achieve to burn calories and lose weight.

When you combine Aerial Pilates with aerobic activities and a healthy diet plan, Pilates can become your primary weight-loss method.

While it may not deliver results as quickly as lifting weights, you will eventually get there, as long as you are doing Aerial Pilates exercises consistently.

 

Wrapping It Up

Aerial Pilates comes with incredible benefits.

Both physical and mental!

From improved core strength to stress reduction, enhanced flexibility to better posture, improved athletic performance to better balance, you have every reason to incorporate Aerial Pilates into your routine.