Pilates is an unhurried workout that strengthens your core muscles and you’ll soon develop what is known as the “Pilates stomach”. The use of the “core” muscles (abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks) to produce smooth flowing movements and controlled breathing helps the stomach and ab muscles develop quickly. You’ll be toned, trim, and stronger after just a few workouts. You’ll notice an improvement in your posture, coordination and stamina as well as a greater economy of movement in your everyday life.

The first thing you’ll notice is that your posture has improved. Pilates participants report that they stand taller and straighter after only one or two workouts. Because of the emphasis Pilates places on engaging your stomach and core muscles, they become stronger. It requires less conscious effort on your part to use them. You’ll find yourself using your core muscles the Pilates way even when you’re just standing around.

Stronger stomach muscles also lead to increased coordination. Because your stomach muscles are part of your “core” muscles, you use them in almost every movement you make. A Pilates stomach increases your level of coordination as you go about the business of everyday life. Concentrating on smooth flowing movement along with correct breathing (two basic Pilates principles) makes doing two things at once second nature in no time at all.

Many Pilates users report that they have an increased level of stamina and endurance since beginning their exercise program. Stamina is a direct result of the strength of your muscles. Pilates begins to strengthen stomach and ab muscles from the first workout, as long as you do the exercises using proper form.

Finally, most new Pilates users report that they seem more able to move quickly, with a minimum of effort. This phenomenon is known as “increased economy of movement.” Again, this is a direct result of strengthening the core muscles. If the biggest muscles in your body–abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks–are strong, your every motion and movement is easier. Strong muscles mean that you expend less effort to move the mass that is your body. That equals greater economy of movement.

The “Pilates stomach” that you develop when you start a Pilates exercise program will directly impact your physical movements, even when you’re not exercising.

About The Author

Sharon Sweeny is a creative copywriter, specializing in gardening and self sufficient, do-it-yourself lifestyles. She divides her free time among her garden in Minneapolis, alternately juggling half a dozen creative projects and blogging on gardening while pondering the exact location of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota.

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