Kerry Washington is doing hip-hop pilates – in her workout clothes. In a new video the Scandal star shows off her flat abs in a sports bra and leggings while executing a bunch of pilates exercises with her trainer, Erika Bloom. “Turning pilates moves into hip-hop grooves with @erikabloomwellness for over a decade! She is the BEST,” she captioned the post. What is pilates and why is it a great workout? Celebwell has the details.
Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century by Cleveland Clinic. Initially the body conditioning workout was used as a method of injury recovery for dancers, who regularly sustain injuries. Now it is a popular mainstream method.
“Some of the principles that guide the Pilates method include concentration on each movement, use of the abdomen and low back muscles, flowing, precise movement patterns and controlled breathing,” explains the Cleveland Clinic. Pilates can be done on a mat. However, it is usually performed on a piece of equipment called a reformer, which Washington uses in the video.
Surprisingly, Pilates is considered a form of strength training. However, instead of building muscle the method focuses more on improving muscle tone. The end result? Greater stability and endurance. “Pilates isn’t going to bulk you up — if anything, it’s designed to cultivate a longer, leaner look,” explains the Cleveland Clinic. “Still, it can lay a strong physical foundation for muscle-building activities — and may even reduce your likelihood of injury.”
Why is pilates a good workout? According to the Mayo Clinic there are lots of benefits to the workout, as it “strengthens the body’s inner core while increasing its flexibility resulting in improved overall health. It can also promote longer, leaner muscles, injury prevention, relief from stress and back pain, enhanced athletic performance, and heightened mind-body awareness.
According to research, Pilates exercises are designed to increase muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility, and to improve posture and balance. Experts maintain that it is a great workout for leaning out.