Written by Karen Hoover, Pilates Trainer @ O2 Fitness Wilmington
Pilates can make you taller! I have been taking and teaching pilates group fitness classes for 5 yrs and have grown an inch! Yes, a whole inch. I am happy to say that I am 5'1 and I owe it all to the benefits of Pilates.
The normal aging process takes a toll on height. The disks that separate and cushion the spinal vertebrae lose hydration and elasticity after the age of 25. The disks begin to shrink, and up to an inch of height may be lost. For those who spend too much time hunched at the computer or in a car all day, the back muscles become stretched and weak. Shoulders and chest muscles become tight, and even the neck loses mobility.
Pilates exercises strengthen the core muscle to correct these effects. The front of the body is opened and stretched, while the muscle along the back are strengthened. The crown of the head is extended upward, lengthening the back of the neck. Over time, these moves lead to a more erect posture - and effective in restoring the lost height!