Harry Styles Uses Pilates to Stay Fit , Strong, and Flexible!
Yes it’s true! Styles was advised by an osteopath to practice Pilates to correct his posture, and he was photographed at Exhale Pilates in London, reportedly training alongside England footballer Harry Kane.
Gaby Noble, the founder of Exhale Pilates, wants to debunk the myth that Pilates is 'stretching for women': "What most people don’t know is that Pilates was developed by a man named Joseph Pilates who was a physical therapist, professional boxer, and gymnast. He created a method called Contrology, which was all about functional movement, not whether you could touch your toes. There are very few people on earth who would not benefit from adding Pilates to their day, as it includes breath, posture, strength, balance, co-ordination, and flexibility, which we all need. Pilates incorporates all the elements of healthy physical movement."
Noble also highlights that many sportspeople and athletes use Pilates to enhance their current training regime and limit injuries, alongside office workers, gym-goers, and beginners all looking to lose weight, get stronger and improve their mental health.
With weight training, men tend to work their larger muscle groups in isolation. Pilates has a flow that mobilizes the joints and targets all muscles, not just the larger and more dominant muscles. Pilates targets the full body. Another benefit of Pilates, that is especially helpful to a singer who tours and performs regularly, is the focus on the breath and the mind-body connection that helps to regulate and calm the nervous system.
In summary, there are many benefits to be had from Pilates, aside from injury prevention and rehab including:
Pilates helps improve muscular balance which equates to more strength
You can lift more weight without pain in your lower back or joints
Your mobility and flexibility increases, allowing muscles and joints to breath more. This gives a better range of movement so you can squat deeper, for example
You can lengthen and shorten muscle fibre more efficiently, which helps to build a long-lasting better body, or build a better body in less time
You can enjoy quicker recovery periods
Pilates enhances overall training performance in all other sports, including boxing, weightlifting, football, and golf
You can breathe better as Pilates exercises help increase lung capacity, which in turn increases stamina