Pilates, on the other hand, has only been around since the early 20th century and is a great form of exercise for athletes of all levels. Whether you're just getting started with your fitness journey, you're a seasoned expert, or you're recovering from an injury, Pilates is a great way to develop strength throughout your body.

Pilates is also perfect for toning your muscles and increasing flexibility. It also focuses heavily on improving posture and "contrology," a term coined by the exercise's founder, Joseph Pilates. According to Pilates himself, this kind of fitness revolves around "the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit." Very Well Fit's Marguerite Ogle writes:

This is one of the secrets of Pilates exercise: we practice each movement with total attention. When we exercise in this way, the body and mind unite to bring forth the most benefit possible from each exercise. The Pilates principles — centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow — are key concepts that we use to integrate body and mind.