Revitalise your body: how Pilates can improve your flexibility

Does Pilates improve flexibility?

First of all, let’s start with a couple of other questions. What is flexibility? Is flexibility the same as mobility?

While flexibility and mobility are related concepts, they refer to different aspects of movement:

Flexibility is the amount of passive stretch in a muscle (or group of muscles). This is typically measured by the range of motion in a joint, such as the hip or shoulder. Good flexibility means that the muscle can elongate and lengthen without causing pain or discomfort.

Mobility is the range of motion at a joint. This involves the ability of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones to work together to produce a movement. Good mobility means that the joint can move through its full range of motion without restrictions or limitations.

In other words, flexibility is related to the length of muscles, while mobility is related to the movement of joints. Both are important for physical fitness and improving one often results in improvements in the other.

A person with good flexibility will be able to move their joints through a wide range of motion, while someone with poor flexibility may experience tightness or stiffness in their muscles and joints. People with limited mobility tend to be restricted in their flexibility but both can be improved by stretching, fitness training and increased physical activity over a period of time.  

Good mobility requires flexibility but also requires strength. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core muscles of the body and overall physical fitness. Exercises are performed with slow, deliberate movements, with a focus on breathing and body awareness.

Pilates provides the ideal mix for improving flexibility due to its connection to the breath and the emphasis on proper alignment and control. With regular practice, you can gradually increase your flexibility and achieve a greater range of motion in your joints.

Click here to learn why flexibility is important.