Bend it like Beckham - literally!
Tuesday 23 June 2009
What do Gwyneth Paltrow and David Beckham have in common?
Dashing good looks? Yes. Famous other halves? Indeed. Super-cute little’uns? Yup.
But what else do the unlikely pairing share? A love of Pilates, of course!
That’s right, David Beckham is the latest star to rave about the body-bending practice – adored by yummy mummies across the planet.
In fact the England star says he is in his best shape in years due to an hour-long daily routine.
And according to reports, the fitness regime has reduced Becks’ body fat from 13.7 per cent to a super-toned 8.5 per cent
England boss Fabio Capello has even insisted that ALL his players take up a Pilates routine, in order to get them as fit as possible in time for the football season.
And it’s not just footie stars jumping on the Pilates bandwagon. The England cricket squad are all into muscle-bending action too, and even New Zealand’s famously tough All Blacks rugby team are Pilates fans.
How much do we love being right? After a few years of pioneering all things yoga and Pilates, the boys are finally starting to crack on to the idea that it does a body good!
BODY BENEFITS
So, what’s the attraction?
The benefits of Pilates go much further than just a toned body. One of the incentives to use it is that it’s mostly equipment-free, so you frequently work against your own body weight – making it ideal if you’re a bloke hoping to improve his strength, or a lady looking to tone up her silhouette.
Pilates has similar health benefits - it increases muscle strength in your ‘core’ (the lower abdomen, pelvis and lower back), which can improve back pain and pulled muscles.
If you're interested in taking up Pilates, experts recommend that you go to at least one class to learn the correct way to perform the moves, as failing to do so can mean that the exercises won’t be very effective, or can injure your spine.
It's also worth bearing in mind that, while you'll have to work on your flexibility and co-ordination, there are real relaxing benefits to a Pilates routine! The initial aim is to co-ordinate your breathing as you exercise - this helps to focus the mind, relax the body's muscles, making them easier to stretch.
Once you're confident with the moves, you can branch out and practise Pilates at home - just remember to warm up properly and not to cut any corners. It’s also important make sure you have something to lean on if you’re working out at home – the floor won’t cut it, so make sure you have something softer to lean on, such as a yoga mat.
Keeping up a Pilates routine once or twice a week won't make you lose weight in the same way that jogging or swimming would do, but it's a great way to build up muscle, which helps the body burn calories even when it's resting.
Becks isn't the only one to have taken up a holistic regime - it seems that all the best-looking sportsmen are stretching their muscles to improve their physiques
Andy Murray has recently taken up Bikram yoga (that’s yoga in sauna-like heat), in preparation for this year’s Wimbledon.
And the idea that this is only an exercise to keep you skinny can be thrown out of the window, as Andy’s built up his skinny limbs into something much stronger (have you seen those muscles recently?).
As well as keeping your body in shape, yoga can help with stress-induced physical ailments such as anxiety, headaches and IBS. This is because yoga encourages slow, deep breathing, which can help lower the heart rate, soothing elements of panic and stress.
The heat of Bikram yoga allows the body to stretch a little further than its used to, improving flexibility. Not to mention that it makes you sweat, which can help with the removal of toxins.
It’s probably best not to attempt Bikram yoga in your home – you’ll need the benefit of an instructor to ensure you’re doing the poses correctly every session (plus, think of the central heating bill!).
And if the men in your life dismiss it as ‘too girly’ – it’s their loss!
Have you ever done yoga and Pilates? Did you see results in your body or health?
By Amy Bangs