Try These Pilates Workouts with Laura of Evolution Studio

Have you been wanting to try Pilates but you just don’t know anything about it? This is a simple and beneficial form of exercise that can be done at home with a mat, or using specialized equipment at a Pilates studio.

Pilates workouts involve engaging the abdominal muscles while making slow, controlled movements synchronized with mindful, deep breathing.

Pilates Principles:

Certified Pilates instructor Laura Donatelli, owner of Evolution Pilates Studio in downtown Flemington, NJ, offers some helpful insights about Pilates and its positive effect on the body.

She identifies 6 main principles of Pilates:

Concentration
Precision
Control
Centering
Breath
Flow

Pilates Workouts for Stress Relief, Lower Cortisol

The deep breathing, controlled movements and mindful focus of Pilates mean that it’s not only ideal for muscle toning, but also has an overall deeply restorative effect on the nervous system.

Pilates Targets the Core

You’ve probably heard that risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic illness increases for people who have a wider waist circumference.

Pilates workouts target the core, taking the body out of fight or flight, lowering cortisol and returning the parasympathetic nervous system to rest and digest mode.

Done on a regular basis, Pilates workouts can result in a slimmer waist, defined ab muscles; a toned and fit physique, and increased feelings of calm and wellbeing.

Benefits of Doing Regular Pilates Workouts

Adding Pilates to your exercise routine may result in the following improvements to your fitness level and overall health.

Toned, fit physique
Improved posture
Increased strength
Decreased stress levels
Improved mood
Ease of digestive troubles
Pain management
Hormone balance
Improved blood circulation
Improved immune function and faster healing
More restful and restorative sleep
Improved mental health

Aim for 3 to 5 days of Pilates exercises per week, with added cardio to boost effectiveness. Just 30 minutes of Pilates per day can help you achieve a healthy weight, stronger muscles and trim physique.

More About Pilates Benefits from Laura of Evolution Studio in Flemington, NJ

Active from a young age, a passion for Pilates inspired Laura to obtain her instructor certification, and later advance her credentials to include Pilates Reformer and Apparatus training. She says:

“Pilates is one of the best forms of exercise to create a lean, long, strong and balanced body without unneeded force or injury.”

She describes the exercise as “an integration of mind, body and breath designed to strengthen the muscles as well as the spirit.”

Pilates Mat Workouts: Variations on Simple Movements

Laura has published a comprehensive library of more than 500 Pilates workout videos, combining with Barre, Reformer, foam roller, weights, and more.

Sample a few of Laura’s Pilates workouts from her YouTube video collection, below.

Pilates Mat Workout: Core Blast, 20 Minutes

Pilates Booty Burn Workout: 30 Minutes

In addition to her in-studio Pilates coaching, Laura offers the option to learn Pilates from the comfort of home, with a vast assortment of Pilates mat workouts.

Below she demonstrates 20 minutes of core blasting exercises on the mat.

Different Pilates workouts target different muscle groups. Here, Laura leads a 30-minute Booty Burn that you can do at home with a mat while following along.

What is the Pilates Reformer?

While this machinery with its various pulleys and straps may look intimidating, the Pilates Reformer is safe and effective as an advanced form of Pilates exercise.

This is one of several unique pieces of equipment created by Joseph Pilates, the founder of this form of exercise.

The Pilates Reformer is safe and effective, and can be catered to any level of Pilates experience.

The Pilates Reformer works on balance and coordination by adding in an unstable base in the form of its flat padded sliding bed. Precise movements are achieved through the use of straps on pulleys during the exercises.

Use of the Reformer under the direction and guidance of a certified Pilates instructor brings a deeper muscle stretch; activates under-used muscle groups; and facilitates precise, targeted movements during your workout.

Learn Pilates with Laura in Flemington

If you are interested in advancing your Pilates practice, schedule a consult with Laura at Evolution Studio in Flemington, NJ.

She will guide you through safe and effective use of the machinery, with a variety of movements to enhance your exercise routine.

Pilates Accessories

Want to start doing Pilates at home? All you need is a few basic accessories. You could even just order a mat and save the rest for a special self-care gift when you’re ready to advance your Pilates experience!

Pilates Home Workout Essentials

Yoga/Workout Pants

Pilates Mat

Pilates Grip Socks

More Pilates Accessories

Pilates Reformer Workout for Obliques and Glutes

Pilates Chair Workout at the Studio with Laura

The Pilates chair is another specialized type of equipment. It is ideal for working on flexibility, coordination and increasing range of motion.

Pilates for Flat Abs and Strong Core

Typically performed on a floor mat or with use of specialized apparatus, Pilates tones and strengthens the muscles, particularly those of the abdomen and lower back.

Those who do Pilates regularly over the course of several months report increased abdominal muscle definition, improved posture, and more energy in general.