Pilates expert looks to tackle obesity through exercise

Pilates is undoubtedly a healthy pursuit, practiced by millions worldwide. Not only is it a great way to keep in shape, but it has been proven to help strengthen core muscles in the body.

Health experts are now arguing that activities such as Pilates could be a great way to tackle the current obesity issues head on. This is particularly pressing given that 12 million of us are currently obese, whilst a worrying 1 in 4 children are seriously overweight before they start school. Celebrities have begun to cotton on to the potential health benefits of Pilates and it has even been introduced into school curriculums.

Solutions for child obesity?

One Pilates instructor who acknowledges the significance of this is Australian born Daniella Ehrlich, the founder of an innovative Pilates holiday company called Elysium Retreats. The idea behind the initiative was to encourage people to partake in healthy activities like Pilates, away from busy work schedules.

However, what stands Elysium Retreats apart from the number of competitors isn’t just the fact that it gives people the opportunity to try Pilates in exotic locations like Australia, Mexico, Barbados and Cyprus, but it also caters for people of all ages. Classes for children allow parents to unwind without stress, safe in the knowledge that their children are partaking in healthy activities. Health commentators are posing the question of whether this is in fact a great opportunity for parents to take the first steps for dealing with child obesity.

Positive steps for tackling adult obesity

Whilst Elysium Retreats has actively addressed the problem of child obesity, Daniella says that her holidays are equally as popular with single Pilates fanatics and couples without children. The fact they are wined and dined with healthy, nutritious meals after a productive day, working out under clear blue skies, is a great bonus and the fact they are lavished in 5 star luxury helps too she jokes.

Many people recognise that they need to lose weight, but are simply unable to break away from work mode, and often fail to find the time. This according to Daniella allows them to “take respite, to unwind and get in shape”.

At Online Clinic, we feel that this is a great idea, particularly given that 70% of men and 63% of women in the UK are overweight or obese. This coupled with the fact that the number obesity cases have tripled in the last 20 years surely means that it is time we act.