Leg warmers, neon colors, big curly hair held back with headbands…
The ‘80s brought on a craze of aerobic exercises (Jane Fonda, anyone?) — but female-focused fitness also started to dig so much deeper than strictly cardio. Elements of dance, pilates, and yoga with weight training were included for a whole-body approach to wellness.
It was a redefining age for women — strong was in.
And so it remained! Today, more women are more focused on muscle definition and toning than ever before.
The benefits of strength training in fitness are overwhelming — and Pilates and Yoga are great options for women of all ages to reap the benefits.
Pilates
The earth, an apple, a computer — the core is the main focal point for pretty much everything. And that’s what Pilates is all about!
According to Self “Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility by targeting the core.”
Pilates concentrates on the core to bring improvement to other areas of the body. Benefits of pilates include…
✓ Better alignment and posture which decreases back, hip, and joint pain
✓ Improved balance and flexibility making falls and injuries less likely
✓ Increased energy and mood by boosting hormones, blood flow, and oxygen
✓ Better sleep and less stress through purposeful movement
✓ Stronger bones and less illness through better system functionality
And the really nice thing is that Pilates is relatively low impact and there are many forms of modification, which makes it friendly for everyone.
So go out, sign up, and give it a try!
Yoga
We’ve all heard of Yoga with the mats, pants, and downward dog — but what exactly does Yoga do for you?
According to NIH “Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being. Although classical yoga also includes other elements, yoga as practiced in the United States typically emphasizes physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana).”
Yoga is a kind of exercise that can be used more for mindset or more for fitness depending on what one is looking for.
Nice calming session? Hard sweat? Something in between?
Yoga has it all, not to mention the benefits such as…
✓ Major stress and anxiety reducer
✓ Mental health assistance
✓ Chronic pain management
✓ Better sleep and mental clarity
✓ Weight management
✓ Cardio health booster
✓ Improved flexibility and balance
✓ Muscle strength and toning
And with all kinds of options when it comes to types of Yoga — it can be for anyone from young to seasoned in life.
It’s ranked as one of the best exercises for a reason. So go get your stretch on!
PiYo
Pilates and Yoga come together like avocado and toast to make PiYo.
Variety is the spice of life and PiYo’s got it! A little bit of the body movement elements of yoga along with the strengthening elements of pilates give you an all-inclusive workout.
According to Steel “In a PiYO class, you can workout your whole body through yoga poses, bodyweight strength training, and cardio. There’s no jumping involved, but you can still get your heart rate up through strength intervals and high-intensity aerobic movements. All fitness levels from beginners to more advanced athletes can be motivated and get a good workout.”
PiYo is all about using body weight to get in a good workout sesh without being too high impact and hard on the body, making this wonderful for people of all ages.
Better Mind and Body
No matter if you go with yoga, pilates, PiYo, or switch it up — you’re going to be receiving some amazing benefits.
Exercises like these are not only good for the mind, but good for the body and soul.
…And we can all benefit from that!
