Pilates Mat
Pilates is a concept of movement, and is designed based on the natural movement patterns of the human body. Many of the body's natural movement patterns on a regular basis consist of simple motions such as flexing, twisting and stabilizing. The purpose of Pilates is to strengthen the muscles and joints which are involved in these movements, helping the body to develop uniformly. A person’s physical flexibility is greatly enhanced through Pilates. Regular practice of Pilates augments a person’s strength as well as his muscle tone. A person's physical wellbeing and health also improves tremendously through this exercise routine.
A Pilates mat is a special mat on which Pilates exercise routines are done. At first glance, a person may feel that Pilates mat exercises are simple, but they actually consist of some moves which are extremely difficult to master.
Generally a person should first consult a private teacher to guide him through the Pilates mat exercises in order to best address his particular physical needs. Being evaluated on a regular basis by a Pilates professional while working on a Pilates routine is highly recommended. What one should remember is that through performing this routine properly, they can achieve great levels of physical benefits, but if done incorrectly, they may end up injuring themselves, and also miss out on these great possibilities.
A good Pilates mat protects the user from the rough floors and also provides comfort during exercise. The mat should be large yet compact to provide a stable platform for the body to work on. A good Pilates mat has a perfect combination of these features. Although most Pilates accessories provide some sort of improvement for the body, the Pilates mat provides the greatest number of benefits to its users. Even if a person is learning the basics of the Pilates program, a good mat will help the most to improve the practice. Therefore the point of focus when involving yourself in a Pilates program is to get a really good Pilate mat.
One should concentrate on the following aspects when getting a Pilates mat:
Thickness: A Pilates mat’s thickness and firmness goes a long way when determining its comfort level. There are many Pilates mats that are too thin and cannot provide the right or desired level of comfort to its users. A person can purchase these if he is not bothered by the hardness of the floor. An ideal mat should have a proper balance between thickness and hardness so as to provide the correct level of support and comfort to its users.
Grip: A good Pilates mat should have a secure grip, meaning that the user should be able to grab on to it with his or her hands and feet. Even if the person is sweating, he should be able to grip the mat and not slip. Maintenance of a Pilates map is fairly simple, and does not require much besides being wiped occasionally with a damp piece of cloth. Pilates mats of various different sizes are available on the market. The standard size is 76 inches by 25 inches, while the regular size is 68 inches by 24 inches.
To determine the quality of Pilates mats, one can try out any of the following three tests:
- The pinch test: Pinch the mat with your thumb and finger to compare resistance to compression.
- The coin test: To determine the durability of the mat, rub the mat with the edge of a coin and see how many strokes it takes to reach the surface.
- The wet test: Compare the dry and wet traction of the mat by rubbing it with a dry hand first, then rub it again after moistening your hand.
A Pilates mat is one of the most useful pieces of exercise equipment for a person looking to achieve physical fitness. But in order to get the most out of using this potentially beneficial item, one should be careful in selecting the best of the lot when buying one.
