Pilates has become just as popular as yoga and growing. Created by German Joseph Pilates, pilates works and develops your core strength and increases flexibility and agility and is one of the best workouts to tone pretty much your whole body.

One of the reasons why pilates is gaining popularity is it is so beneficial to your general fitness. Here are some of these benefits:

• Pilates help re-align the spine leading to better posture
• Increase flexibility and agility
• Strengthens the core
• Improves balance
• Improved coordination
• Relief from stress and tension
• If you have back pain pilates can help reduce or totally eliminate the pain

Getting started with pilates is actually quite easy. Due to its popularity there are new classes popping up and down the country. Another alternative is to use a DVD. You could workout from the privacy of your own home and there are plenty of workouts available for beginners.