How Pilates Helps Your Heart

Pilates is a great way to help keep your heart healthy. It can lower some risks for heart disease by improving how your heart and blood vessels work. Even though Pilates isn’t as intense as running or biking, studies show it can still be really good for your heart.

Here’s how Pilates helps:

1. Better Heart Fitness:

   • Research shows that doing moderate exercise like Pilates can lower your chances of heart problems. A study found that people who do Pilates regularly improved their fitness by about 20%. That’s a big difference!

2. Lower Blood Pressure:

   • Another study found that practicing Pilates can lower blood pressure. People who did Pilates saw their blood pressure drop by 5 to 10 points. Lower blood pressure is good for a healthier heart.

3. Improved Blood Flow:

   • Pilates focuses on deep breathing and careful movements. This can help blood flow better through your body. Good circulation means more oxygen gets to your heart and other parts of your body. According to the American Heart Association, better blood flow can reduce heart disease risks.

4. Healthy Weight:

   • Keeping a healthy weight is important for your heart. One study found that doing Pilates can burn about 200-300 calories per hour. This can help with losing weight or keeping it steady, which is good since being overweight can increase heart disease risks.

5. Better Mental Health:

   • Managing stress is key for a healthy heart. Pilates can really help with this. It can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. A review of many studies showed that people who do mind-body exercises like Pilates felt 30-40% less stressed. Less stress means a lower risk of heart disease.

In summary, Pilates may not be as tough as some other exercises, but it has many benefits for your heart. It’s a great addition to a workout routine focused on keeping your heart healthy!