Pilates is a type of exercise routine founded by German athlete Joseph Pilates, who developed the original routines during the early 20th century. Since then, pilates instruction classes have gained in popularity. Traditional pilates mat exercises do not burn as many calories as aerobic exercises.
Function
Pilates is used to increase strength, endurance and flexibility. Pilates also improves posture because it strengthens the core muscles of the back and abdomen, which support the spine. The Mayo Clinic points out that pilates is low-impact, meaning that the exercises do not strain the joints.
Effects
The number of calories burned from pilates depends on your current weight and the length of time spent on the exercise. According to Fatburn.com, a person weighing 150 lbs. can burn 358 calories per hour from pilates.
Tips
There are ways to increase your heart rate while performing strength-training moves through pilates. The harder you work, the more calories you are likely to burn. Perform the exercises at a quicker rate once you have the moves down.
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