Benefits of Pilates for people with Osteopenia (low bone density, or pre-cursor to Osteoporosis)

There are numerous benefits to including Pilates in your daily routine some of which include:

Increased bone density
Powerful “core” strength
Improved balance
Enhanced overall strength
Better flexibility
Improved posture
Perfect alignment

All Pilates exercises are designed to involve the body’s abdominal and back muscles together, or what we call the “core, powerhouse, cylinder of strength”. So basically every Pilates exercise involves the core. Also as you work towards bone building, you will also develop a longer, leaner physique. With Pilates you are working more than one body part at a time, which means fewer exercises , for improved overall strength and toning.

The more I am reading and learning about Osteopenia and Osteoporosis the more I am convinced that Pilates can help people lead pain free, energetic lives., the more I do Pilates the more I understand why Joseph Pilates was so passionate about his life’s work. I think I must drive people nuts talking about it.

Contrary to popular belief, Osteopenia is not necessarily and older persons condition. Due to excessive dieting , also trying to maintain weight solely by dieting instead of a healthy combination of exercise and diet, there are more and more young women in their 20’s are being diagnosed with Osteopenia. As someone who exercises on a very regular basis, the benefits of a good diet are a no brainer, your body needs nutrients in order to perform efficiently, if you don’t do this then eventually your body will rebel.

While there are lots of exercises you shouldn’t really do with Osteopenia /Osteoporosis, (i.e. flexion, curl-ups, bending from the waist, abducting the legs, twisting the spine ) there are also a variety of exercises you can do to improve balance, posture, alignment etc, and they are fun.