An expert has shared how a low impact form of exercise can help keep signs of ageing at bay, and "completely" change your body.
While shelling out on haircare, skincare, makeup and clothing can help you look younger, Pilates teacher Abby McLachlan believes it's possible to achieve the same result without spending any money.
She spoke exclusively to the Express about how the exercise form can be the ultimate anti-ager. And the benefits of Pilates are more than skin deep.
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Abby said: "Pilates is nearly 100 years old, with origins rooted in healing and rehabilitation. It was invented by Joseph Pilates initially to help fellow inmates develop muscle strength at an internment camp on the Isle of Man but now is practised in gyms and boutique studios around the world.
"Like yoga, it is a mind and body practise, matching breath to movement, but in yoga, you use the breath to connect the mind and body to a higher consciousness."
Joseph Pilates promised a total transformation in just 30 Pilates sessions, saying "You will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions, and have a completely new body in 30 sessions."
Pilates is a fantastic way to get the body moving and strengthen the core muscles. But what are its anti-ageing benefits?
Abby said the practice is "low intensity, low impact and inclusive", and that is focuses "on spinal alignment and the tiny muscles that support your musculoskeletal system." However, anyone suffering injuries or spinal, or postural issues should consult a qualified Pilates instructor and get signed off by a health practitioner before attending a class.
Similarly, pregnant women should ensure they see a pre-natal trained trainer, as some exercises are unsuitable for pregnancy.
Abby continued: "A lifetime of poor posture ,hunching over your computer or phone, carrying children and heavy bags on one side, can lead the muscles in your back to become weak and strained, leading to joint and disc issues.
"Pilates concentrates on strengthening the deep postural muscles, raising awareness of how one stands and the general alignment of hips, spine and head.
"This awareness alone can go a long way to improving posture, but the strength built with highly targeted, specific exercises will support the spinal column, in effect future-proofing your body."
The expert recalled a quote by Joseph Pilates himself: "If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young."
Abby explained that Pilates works on supporting the muscles around the spine, including the core and the glutes, as well as ensuring the other joints are supported by strong local muscles, "reducing the chance of injury and relieving pain, especially back pain".
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