CALLING ALL GYM RATS. If you’re anything like me, staying in shape during the stressful
school year is extremely important. With all of our late night study hours and “social gatherings” during the weekends, calories tend to add up pretty quickly. Hopping on the elliptical or doing a few crunches can be beneficial, but that can get so boring! If you want to get a fun, tummy-flattening workout, I highly recommend taking Ania’s Pilates class at Cary Street Gym. Not sure what Pilates is? No worries.
A lot of people will say that Pilates is basically “yoga on steroids” because it carries a fair amount of similarities to yoga. You can find on Pilates.com that it is a system of various exercises built to strengthen and lengthen the muscles of the body, as well as improve flexibility. It focuses mainly on the core, or the abdominal muscles, while at the same time emphasizes the importance of breath and relaxation. In my experience, I have seen that yoga focuses more on meditation and centering one’s self, as well as building strength. Pilates is designed so that virtually anyone can practice it, being beneficial to both women and men of all ages.
I’ve taken almost every one of Ania’s (pronounced Anya) classes this semester and I have to say I am very satisfied. She’s extremely energetic, not to mention has a great sense of humor, so she keeps the class fun and everyone involved. She always makes sure she teaches various levels of Pilates routines, accommodating beginners and the more advanced. Like I said before, Pilates focuses mainly on the
core as well as the back, legs, hips and of course the gluteus maximus! So, you can be assured that your whole body will feel stronger by the end of the session. Personally, I like to do a medium to high intensity cardio workout before her class, so I have a well-rounded fitness routine at the end of the day.
Don’t have enough time for that? According to Prevention.com, Auburn University tested several men and women while doing forty to fifty minute Pilates exercises and it was concluded that the average intermediate Pilates session can burn around 300 calories! Not to mention you’ll get those washboard-abs in no time.
Regardless of what method you decide to use, most of us are aware that exercise is an important part of our busy lives. If you do choose Pilates, just know that it is a great strength-building workout, and Ania will make you feel more toned and limber after every class. Her classes are Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at 4pm at the Cary Street Gym. Go check it out!
Sources:
http://bbu.pilates.com/instructor-training/what-is-pilates.html
http://www.prevention.com/health/fitness/belly-abs/how-many-calories-burn-during-pilates-/article/5e89d08f88803110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/