Is Pilates for teens and young people?

More and more young people are spending time in front of computers, on cell phones and texting messages all activities moving them closer to increased back pain, neck tension and poor posture. 

Pilates is a wonderful activity to help with these conditions and is recommended by physiotherapists, massage therapists and chiropractors to adults with these conditions and more.  Taking preventative measures early on in a person’s life by introducing Pilates to young people can only delay the eventual need for corrective measures.

Pilates can also help with self-esteem and body image.  With so much emphasis on appearances, looking a certain way and being a certain size, Pilates can help young people by giving them a better sense of body awareness.  Toning and strengthening muscles can help clothes fit better.  Improvements in posture can also help one’s physical appearance giving the appearance of being leaner and slimmer without solely focusing on losing weight.  When young people learn to carry themselves properly, self-esteem will improve and confidence in other areas will increase.  The increasing trend of Pilates and more and more celebrities opting for Pilates as a form of exercise may also resonate with young people. 

Everybody is different and since the progress one makes in Pilates is independent of athletic aptitude and initial physical fitness, young people who may not normally engage in physical activity can do so with Pilates and benefit.  Everyone progresses at their own pace.  Strengths and weaknesses are different in each body.  Different exercises will pose different challenges for different people.  As a result, competition doesn’t, and should not, come into play when doing Pilates.

Increased energy is also a likely side effect to Pilates.  Increased energy means a greater ability to do things one enjoys as well as getting more enjoyment out of the tasks required to be done such as school work and chores around the home.  Increased energy can also lead to trying new things. 

Pilates is an activity that can be done throughout a person’s life. Whether at home or in a group fitness class or in a studio, it can always be a positive contributing factor to any lifestyle.  Pilates is definitely something worth incorporating early on in a person’s life.   Because young bodies are still developing, there is a need to prevent sports injuries caused by working incorrectly or lifting a weight they aren’t ready for yet.

Pilates can increase strength and flexibility, and perhaps more importantly, body awareness. The sooner a young person learns about how their body works and feels, the sooner they will start to live in their body instead of just inhabiting it.