Why Pilates is the Ultimate Confidence Booster
We talk a lot about the physical benefits of regular Pilates (there are a lot!) but there are also incredible mental benefits that come from a regular Pilates practice. One thing that we see in our clients is the confidence that comes from regular Pilates.
Pilates is a fantastic boost for your self-esteem, for a whole host of reasons. It’s a combination of dedicated self-care, healthy habits, decreased anxiety, and the satisfaction of feeling your body become stronger over time.
Let’s talk about some of our favorite confidence-boosting effects of Pilates, and how to maximize these effects for even more pep in your step!
7 ways that Pilates can boost your self-esteem
1. Regular endorphin hits
Exercise releases some amazing feel-good hormones, and it compounds when we make exercise a habit. Regular exercise not only gives us a mood boost through the so-called “exercise-high,” but also from the hit we get from completing a habit loop. Habit loops, coined by Charles Duhigg in his book The Power of Habit, are cues in our brain that reward routine and cues. And when we feel good, we feel more confident.
2. Increased body awareness
Pilates helps us to become more aware of our bodies, and to appreciate what our bodies can do. In class, you spend an hour focused on paying attention to your body and exploring your own strength. This makes us more grateful for our bodies, which is a huge confidence boost.
3. Decreased anxiety
Regular exercise in general can lead to reduced anxiety and depression, which decreases stress and increases self-esteem. But did you know that Pilates specifically has demonstrated a correlation with reduced anxiety and depression?
A 2017 study showed that just eight weeks of regular Pilates is correlated with reduced levels of anxiety and depression and improved quality of life.
4. Increased energy levels
When you feel fatigued all the time, it’s a lot harder to feel happy with ourselves. And while exercise can be tiring in the moment, it actually increases your energy levels over time.
Numerous studies have researched the relationship between exercise and fatigue or energy levels, and they all suggest that there is a correlation between physical activity and a reduced risk of experiencing feelings of low energy and fatigue.
5. Mindful breathing & focus
Our day-to-day lives are full of distractions, from work and school to binge watching on Netflix. In Pilates, attending a class means that you have an hour of uninterrupted focus on the present moment.
In class, we focus on synchronizing our breath and our exercises. Mindful breathing is an amazing way to reduce stress, which of course makes us feel better. And when we spend an hour focused on our bodies, we feel more at home in our bodies, too.
6. Better posture
Pilates is all about posture. When you find yourself standing up straighter, it helps you feel more confident. The way we hold ourselves has a big impact on the way we feel.
Plus, with better posture and spinal alignment, we can reduce or even eliminate many of the aches and pains we experience on a daily basis. And when you feel good, you feel more confident, too.
7. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone
We’re often not aware of everything our bodies can do. Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone (in a supported environment) is a huge confidence boost. It gives us more faith in ourselves and our abilities. It shows us that we are more capable than we know. All of these things are an amazing self-esteem boost.
Boost your confidence even more with clothing that makes you feel good
The clothes we wear have a huge impact on how we feel. When we wear clothes that make us feel confident, it can change our whole outlook on life.
Both in our studio locations and online, RTR Pilates carries athleisure brands with a range of accessories and styles to make you feel your best both in and out of the studio.
Stop by our studios or shop on RTR’s online retail store to discover your new favorite workout clothes!