Do you long to feel more confident? Self-assurance is grounded in various elements, including our physical well-being. Confidence doesn’t rely on sleekly toned abs or an idealized body type, but instead harnessing a positive outlook on the body we have and its ability to carry us throughout our daily tasks. In other words, being comfortable with the skin we’re in.

Pilates has become an increasingly popular way for people to get fit and build strength while toning their body – but did you know that regularly performing this exercise can also help boost your self-confidence? Get ready to discover why Pilates could be the critical ingredient to increase your well-being.

Does exercise increase self-confidence?

Exercise is a broad way to define any movement we engage in for an extended period.  Formal exercises like a Pilates reformer class or lifting weights at the gym often come to mind as exercise. However, an evening stroll in the neighborhood, dancing in the kitchen after breakfast and yard work can be considered exercise when done for a minimum of 20 minutes and laborious enough to raise your heart rate.

Anytime you exercise, your body may experience many benefits like increased blood circulation, improved digestion, dopamine release, increased mobility and strength. Improvement in any of these areas and you’re likely to feel great. You’ll improve your overall well-being and thus feel ready to take on more of your day. In other words-more confident!

Regular exercise puts us in touch with how our body moves and operates, in addition to building strength and endurance. These combined help us to feel at home in our bodies. Plus, exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, which can boost our confidence.

Why do I feel so good after Pilates?

Love that post-Pilates glow? There’s no doubt you leave a Pilates class feeling better than when you walked in.  And there’s plenty of reasons why, here’s a few.

• Improves posture, helping you stand taller.
• May help reduce inflammation, easing aches and pains.
• Increases blood circulation, bringing fresh oxygen through the body.
• Strengthens core muscles, which may reduce back pain.
• Your Pilates instructor makes you laugh and forget your long to-do list!

How does Pilates help you mentally?

Pilates is a mind-body exercise. This means the mind and body must work together simultaneously. While doing so you’ll practice the principles of Pilates including concentration, coordination, centering, breath, flow and precision. Incorporating these principals means you’ll be fully engaged mentally, giving yourself a break from everything in your life outside the studio walls. Additionally, exercise helps improve our sleep. Reduced stress and a good night’s sleep are both important elements for mental health.

Additionally, Pilates exercises are often unfamiliar to those who are new to the method. As you progress and learn more complex movements both on the mat and the apparatus, you’re likely to face a moment of self-doubt. And yet, likely to see you are fully capable of doing more with your body than you previously thought. This moment of success of a win for both your body and mind, achieving something new.

Pilates has a significant impact on our self-confidence. When we perform an exercise; we feel energized and alert due to the hormones released during physical activity. This gives us a boost in energy as well as increases our level of self-assurance. Taking all of this into consideration, there is no doubt that Pilates can be extremely beneficial for our mental health as well as for managing our stress and anxiety levels. 

Therefore, if you want to reap the confidence boosting benefits of Pilates visit ProHealth Pilates and Physical Therapy.  Find the best experienced instructors in the area who will ensure your safety and success during every session.  We have a variety of classes in the studio and online.