Does gentle gymnastics make you lose weight? The benefits and exercises of this discipline
Fortunately, we are not all the same, not even in sports. In terms of physical activity and fitness, there are some people who prefer an intense and high-intensity workout, such as weightlifting, running or kick boxing, while others prefer a milder but no less effective workout. This last category includes the so-called "gentle gymnastics", a discipline that includes many exercises that adapt to everyone's needs and that is also perfect for the elderly and pregnant women.
Today we will find out specifically what it is, what are its benefits and above all we will answer one of the most frequently asked questions: does gentle gymnastics make you lose weight?
What is gentle gymnastics?
Gentle gymnastics is a discipline that includes a series of exercises that adapt to everyone's needs and that in common have the characteristic of being carried out in a gradual and gentle way, with low impact on the various areas of the body. All this makes this sport recommended for people of all ages, including pregnant women, the elderly or those who lead a particularly sedentary lifestyle. The main purpose of gentle gymnastics is to relax and improve muscle health, without an excessive workload. His exercises include stretching, stretching and stretching of the various body areas, from the legs to the abdominals, from the back to the arms.
The differences between gentle gymnastics and pilates
Given the calm rhythm and the fact that it combines physical exercise with mental relaxation, gentle gymnastics is often confused with pilates, when, in reality, they are two different disciplines. In fact, pilates always involves a body workout free and anaerobic, but works above all on the center of gravity. By strengthening the center of gravity, posture, balance, flexibility and muscle tone are consequently improved. Pilates is also a sport recommended for people of different ages, although there are classes where the exercises change according to the needs and the level of intensity.
However, although the conditions of gentle gymnastics and pilates seem the same, what differentiates them is precisely the technique behind the exercises.
The benefits of gentle gymnastics on the body
The prerequisite for a good workout should not only be that of weight loss and the support of a diet, but also and above all the goal of staying in shape and safeguarding one's health. On a physical level, gentle gymnastics has a series of benefits that go beyond simply losing weight. Let's see the main ones:
- Improvement of postures: it is a postural discipline recommended, in particular, to those who spend most of the day sitting at the computer and who tend to assume incorrect postures which, in the long run, can lead to considerable physical ailments, especially as regards the back .
- Increase of body awareness: unlike other sports, gentle gymnastics exercises do not focus only on movements, but push those who perform them to observe and listen to themselves, becoming aware of themselves.
- Relaxation, flexibility and muscle toning: while not having a strong impact on the various areas of the body, all the exercises focus on improving the muscle state and tone.
Furthermore, gentle gymnastics is a discipline that can be practiced anywhere. For some exercises only equipment is required, such as dumbbells or other weights, while for others, a mat and a bottle of water are enough to hydrate. Thus, it can prove to be ideal as a fitness practice not only to be done in the gym, but also as a workout at home or outdoors during sunny days.
The beneficial effects on the mind
Many studies have shown how well-being connected to physical activity does not only concern the body, but also the mind. As regards the psyche, in fact, every sport helps us by counteracting tensions and stress that tend to accumulate during the course of the day. Here are the specific psychological benefits that gentle gymnastics offers us:
- Relaxation: thanks to the combination of physical movement and the search for self-awareness, gentle gymnastics is perfect for "emptying the mind" and removing worries and stress from everyday life.
- Improvement of concentration: compared to other sports, this does not focus so much on speed and rhythm, but on precision, care of movements and postural coordination. Doing so improves the level of concentration and attention.
- Towards a healthy lifestyle: the benefits of this discipline are visible if the exercises are repeated consistently and regularly. For this reason, many people who try it change their lifestyle, making them more active and healthy.
Does gentle gymnastics make you lose weight?
After seeing its benefits, let's go back to our original question: does gentle gymnastics make you lose weight? The answer is, in part, complex.In fact, compared to cardio sports, such as running, gentle gymnastics does not burn a high amount of calories and, therefore, does not bring the same immediate results to those who are trying to lose weight through a low-calorie diet. However, if combined with it. proper nutrition and a correct lifestyle, promotes weight loss.
Depending on the state of health and needs of each one, the experts advised to combine gentle gymnastics with cardiovascular activity or to consider it as a preparatory exercise for more intense physical efforts. In the case of overweight situations, doctors recommend a visit first. to have the certainty of being able to start playing sports and then to start with the mildest exercises of gentle gymnastics because they are less invasive than aerobics or running, high impact activities and can inflame the joints.
Gentle gymnastics exercises
To conclude, let's see some exercises that can be part of a gentle gymnastics workout.
- Squat: the quintessential exercise for toning the buttocks and legs. Start standing with your legs shoulder-width apart, toes turned slightly out and your body weight centered. Bend your knees, bringing your buttocks back and feeling the weight of your body on your heels. Keep your torso straight and your arms forward to facilitate balance.
- Lunges: Start standing, with your legs together. Then bring one leg back and bend it until the knee forms a 90 ° angle without touching the ground. Keep your back straight and your arms at your hips to maintain balance. Alternate left and right leg for the sequence.
- Plank: the starting position is kneeling. Bring your elbows and forearms to the ground and straighten your legs, resting your feet on your big toes. Contract your glutes and abdomen and keep your back straight and parallel to the floor. This position is to be held for at least 15 seconds.
