Are you craving for that perfect 10 waistline and washboard abs to die for? Then slim down and flaunt a well-toned figure this week with Mat Pilates. Pump up some energy in your physical fitness regime to build up endurance levels, coordination, flexibility and strength. Inducing an excellent body conditioning routine, Pilates helps sculpt the body in the most enviable fashion. And the results are obviously for your eyes to see.

World-wide, several reputed fitness gurus have endorsed this exercise routine. For instance, if you YouTube the latest trends on the net, you may easily spot fitness exponent Cassey Ho’s pop Pilates video currently going viral.

Technique: This fitness technique encourages the use of mind to control the muscles. As an exercise programme, it focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential to provide support for the spine. In fact, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine and strengthen the deep torso muscles, which are important to prevent back pain and help alleviate it. The technique involves working at a slow and controlled pace, where the abs, back and hips are used as stabilisers, while there is movement in the extremities (arms and legs).
There are no typical ‘crunches’ or ‘sit ups’. The feel of a Pilates workout is very different from a regular abs and back workout. It is especially conducive to those who regularly complain about recurrent backaches and neck-aches. If practised in presence of qualified trainers, taking their correct guidance and advice, then Pilates can really work wonders on a human body. The change is gradual but evident. It helps slowly reduce and finally eradicates the pain from its root.

Equipment: Pilates has specially-designed beds alongwith different accessories like spring boards, balls, belts, benches etc. Breathing and posture are extremely important to each individual exercise.

Duration: A Pilates session is designed as a 45-minute workout with a choice of either individual or group sessions. The sessions allow close attention and monitoring of each participant’s form and technique, ensuring that each one of them gains a maximum benefit.

Merits: Mat Pilates comes in handy for both men and women of different age groups. Also, it is a great idea for those with medical problems and specific injuries.

Exercises: For abs, floor bicycling, torso twist and plank are imperative. The plank, also called a front hold, hover or abdominal bridge, is a balance and core-conditioning exercise. In yoga, the plank is often done as part of the sun salutation. It is also a stand-alone exercise, categorised into two major types — full plank (where you balance your body on both arms) and side plank (where you balance on one arm).
For a pair of slender sexy legs, a single leg front raise which targets the quadriceps (the large muscle at the front of the thigh, divided into four distinct portions and acts to extend the leg), hamstring kick-back and butt blaster exercise that helps in toning the buttock and the back thigh area, will definitely fetch the desired output.
For attractive arms, a tricep dip in reverse plank and for a flawlessly trimmed chest, pushups on the mat lying down, are the ultimate options.