There are so many benefits to adding Pilates to your workouts. Pilates helps with back pain, makes you taller, and focuses on strong, lean muscles. It creates a strong core, and as a bonus, it helps with flexibility because we rarely stretch enough, all with low impact. The compelling reasons to start Pilates over 50 are endless.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can only do Pilates on those machines seen in Pilates studios that look more like torture devices.  You might still be intrigued and want to try Pilates over 50 as you have heard such good things about it. 

I’m a huge fan of Pilates and have been teaching for about 20 years. All my clients, online or in-person, learn to incorporate Pilates into their day without using machines. It is nice to have access to machines, but they are not a must-have to achieve your health goals. 

Today we talk about 3 compelling reasons to start Pilates over 50 and 3 easy ways you can add Pilates to your day and make it a habit.

3 Compelling Reasons To Start Pilates Over 50 And Make It A Habit

 Pilates is ideal for women over 50 as it’s low-impact and effective in strengthening, lengthening, and toning the entire body through controlled movements. Pilates is different if you’re used to reps and sets from the gym because each movement has repetitions in increments of 3-5-8. So precise movements are vital to getting the most effective workout without strain. Let’s discover 3 compelling reasons to start Pilates. 

1. Pilates Is A Whole Body Workout

The body and mind are actively connected during a Pilates workout. They focus on core, upper and lower body strength and flexibility. Attention to breathing, alignment, and posture promotes strength, balanced use of muscles, flexibility, and an improved range of motion. That’s why Pilates is great for our aging population but also for athletes looking to stay pain-free or improve performance.

2.  Anyone can do Pilates

Pilates is for everyone regardless of age, size, or fitness level. The foundational exercises of Pilates are the same for everyone and apply to you and your body. With the focus on proper alignment, building a solid core, and the mind-body connection, it truly is a wonderful healthy foundation for anyone. Many think that only Yoga can provide this, but you can find it in Pilates too.

There are hundreds of Pilates exercises and modifications, and the exercises can be tailored to your needs. Even my client, who has scoliosis, has found that the exercises have improved the way she feels as it helps strengthen and align her body—making Pilates an ideal workout.

3. Pilates boosts your energy

Many of us hold our breath because we are stressed out or breathe shallowly without noticing. Pilates focuses on the breath, which we think of as circulation in Pilates. Being mindful and breathing well is key to boosting your energy levels. 

So how do you get started with Pilates?

It’s never too late to start Pilates. If you’re interested in taking it up and improving your health and fitness, the first thing to do is decide which style suits you best: equipment or mats. Maybe you want to go all out for the entire repertoire, or you’d prefer to dip your toe into the equipment-free sessions first. There is no right or wrong answer. 

For more on this, check out my: Pilates over 50 – is it too late to start?

But Pilates doesn’t stop at the mat or with the equipment. By engaging your core, taking the Pilates principles into your day will help you be more mindful and functional in your many daily tasks. 

• Picking up your grandchild 
• Gardening 
• Lugging your suitcases 
• Or any fitness activity 

3 easy ways to incorporate Pilates over 50 into your day and make it a habit 

Pilates has many health benefits for women over 50, and you don’t have to wait for your Pilates class once per week to benefit from the Pilates principles. Many compelling reasons exist to start Pilates over 50 and make it a habit. Here are some easy tips for incorporating Pilates into your day that are super beneficial. 

1. Breathing

Breathing is something so simple to get better at, but we often forget about it. My clients smile when I have them stop for a moment and, as I call it, “inhale and exhale for nothing!” What does that mean? You stop everything you’re doing, take a deep breath, and exhale all the way. I like to do it for a count of 8 and try to do it slowly when I exhale. Do 5 of them before you take action. 

We tend to hold our breaths when we are stressed, and that increases not only our stress but also our cortisol levels. Tip: Practice your Pilates breathing whenever you feel your energy is low or you are stressed.

2.  Mind your posture

Many of us sit or stand with hunched shoulders and head forward when we are on our computers, desktops, or smartphones. Unfortunately, this habit also translates into our sports and makes us more prone to injuries as the body is not in the ideal alignment. Thankfully, you can apply the Pilates alignment cues to help with that.  

Here is how: Stand tall, balanced weight on your feet with a slight lean forward, stretch your head towards the sky, let your arms hang by your side, pull the belly in below the navel just a little, and look at the imaginary horizon. 

3. Balance

As we age, we lose balance and find it harder to avoid falls. Pilates teaches the balanced use of the entire body, and you can practice balance daily. Start with #2, find your best posture, and stand on one leg. Keep the other leg bent next to your body, and hold this for up to 2 minutes. You can practice this anywhere, like waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting for the bus, or conversing with a friend. 

 If you’re interested in more ideas, I wrote this Pilates over 50 – How to get started with Pilates at home.

These simple but effective strategies will help you focus on your body’s health and well-being over 50 and beyond. No longer are you practicing Pilates only one day a week but every day. 

You can incorporate those strategies into the following:

• Running 
• Walking 
• Biking while focusing on your breath 
• Engaging the entire body while swimming 
• Practicing balance while hiking 
• Engaging your core while lifting your groceries 
• Or gardening 

The possibilities are infinite!  

You will find better posture and alignment in everyday life, plus better form, in your next Pilates session. If you want to start with Pilates today, check out the Fasted & Fit Club for Pilates and fitness classes designed for women over 50. 

These are just a few compelling reasons to start Pilates over 50. By incorporating just a few Pilates principles into daily activities, you might start to see results after just a few weeks of consistent practice, including improved balance, better posture, increased core strength, a deeper mind-body connection, and better overall fitness.