A complete beginner's guide to pilates with workouts to do at home. Pilates workouts help improve flexibility, balance and core strength, and are particularly effective if you suffer from back pain. Pilates is most definitely exercise and when performed correctly it's very challenging. As an exercise, it counts as a muscle-strengthening workout. Plus, you're able to work the whole body through Pilates. It challenges your lower and upper body and demands core strength. Not only is it safe, but it’s the exercise we strongly believe all pregnant women should include in their fitness plan.

You don't need a studio, reformer or fancy equipment to do pilates at home. Mat based Pilates is a gentle, low-impact, yet serious strength workout that research shows can help ease low back pain and even support mental well-being.