You love your job and your career, but chances are it’s taken its toll on your body. Habitually sitting or standing for long periods of time can have negative effects on your core strength and flexibility, resulting in lower back pain.

Lower back pain is one of the most common ailments in adults under the age of 45 and is very prevalent among businesswomen. If you are a businesswoman who is currently experiencing chronic back pain, you should consider enrolling in a Pilates class. Continue reading as the staff from Pilates 580 in Oakland, CA, explains some of the ways in which this exercise program can benefit you.

Improved Abdominal Strength

Much of the back pain we feel is the result of weak abdominal muscles; when your abs are weak, you may have a difficult time sitting or standing with good posture. As a result, your back muscles work harder to compensate for your weak core. This eventually leads to lower back pain, which prevents many people from exercising, resulting in an even weaker core. Pilates is a great way to break this cycle. Pilates exercises focus heavily on strengthening the core and abdominal muscles, helping to reduce your back pain.

Better Balance

In addition to causing lower back pain, a weak core can also affect your balance. If the muscles in your abs do not know how to activate properly, you may have difficulty standing for long periods of time without slouching or swaying. You may also have a hard time maintaining your balance, resulting in frequent slips and falls. Pilates exercises can strengthen your core and vastly improve your balance in just a few sessions.

Increased Flexibility

Another downside of spending long hours sitting or standing at your job is muscle stiffness. Businesswomen often complain about their stiff hips, back, and neck muscles. Over time these stiff muscles can increase your risk of pain and injury. Pilates mat classes can help to ease some of the stiffness you feel by increasing your overall flexibility. Similar to yoga, Pilates works to lengthen and stretch the muscles, reducing tension and improving the range of motion near these joints.

If you are interested in reaping some of the benefits of Pilates, contact Pilates 580 today by calling (510) 338-3932. For more information on available classes and schedules, visit Pilates 580 online.