The Benefits of Combining Pilates and Walking
Fitness guru Brooke Siler suggests combining Pilates exercises with your walking routine to enhance strength, balance, and coordination. This innovative approach interweaves the mind-body focus of Pilates with the cardiovascular benefits of walking for a full-body workout.
Core Strength On The Go
Walking alone tones your legs, glutes, and core muscles to some degree, but strategically engaging those muscle groups as you walk can take that toning to the next level. By consciously contracting your core as you walk, just as you would during a Pilates Hundred exercise, you increase muscle activation in your abs and back for better strength and posture.
Enhanced Balance And Stability
Many Pilates moves challenge your stability and balance. By mimicking those motions while you walk – such as lifting one leg in front of you or extending a leg behind in a kick – you improve coordination. Focusing on balance and alignment engages more muscles to help you walk taller.
Injury Prevention
Combining Pilates and walking can aid injury prevention by strengthening muscles and improving alignment. Pilates’ focus on precise movements enhances body awareness and helps identify imbalances or weaknesses. Addressing those areas makes you less prone to strains or falls during everyday activities like walking.
Convenient And Accessible
You can combine Pilates and walking almost anywhere without equipment or a studio. All you need is enough space to walk around while doing standing or walking versions of Pilates exercises that target various muscle groups. That makes this fusion fitness accessible at home, outdoors, while traveling – wherever your walk takes you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does Pilates walking target?
Pilates walking targets all major muscle groups including abs, glutes, legs, back, arms and shoulders depending on the specific exercises you integrate.
How is this different from regular walking?
Unlike regular walking, Pilates walking strategically engages specific muscles with focused movements inspired by mat Pilates exercises to increase strength, stability and body awareness.
What are some sample Pilates walking exercises?
Examples of Pilates walking exercises include lifting knees to engage abs, calf raises for leg strength, rotating the upper body across the midline to challenge stability, or pulse squats to tone glutes and quads.
Can I do this indoors or outdoors?
The fusion of Pilates and walking can be done indoors or outdoors. Make sure to have enough space around you to walk freely and perform exercises without obstruction.
How long should a Pilates walking session last?
Aim for 30-45 minutes of continuous walking while integrating Pilates exercises throughout for a complete routine. Focus on quality movements rather than quantity.
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