I'm a huge fan of Pilates. I've attended a week-long intensive course in Thailand, dealt with post-solid core shakes in New York City, and tried the Megaformer classes that Meghan Markle swears by. Pilates has been my go-to for years to strengthen my abs and run stronger. But until now, Peloton has been, in my opinion, the only platform with a full range of classes for home workouts.

At Apple's product event this past Tuesday (September 14), Apple announced an update to its Apple Fitness Plus platform. Starting later this month, on September 27, users will be able to fit in guided meditations or prepare for ski season with snowsports workouts. This fall, Apple's new SharePlay feature will come to FaceTime, allowing users to work out with up to 32 friends. [Apple Fitness Plus Pilates workouts will be led by Marimba Gold-Watts, a former professional dancer, and Daryl Whiting, a former professional athlete who brings an "athletic approach" to Pilates workouts. According to Apple, the two trainers will make Pilates accessible to everyone, and as with all workouts on the platform, other members of the Fitness Plus team will provide more advanced and modifications in the background.

Most Pilates workouts can be done with exercise mats alone, but some use resistance bands for a more intense workout. Sessions range from 10 to 30 minutes in length, and progress can be tracked on an Apple Watch.

These new low-impact exercises not only make the Apple Fitness Plus platform more inclusive, but also provide significant benefits to physical and mental health. We have not yet tried the Pilates workout, but here's what subscribers can gain from regular practice:

While no exercise can promise God-given abs (how pronounced your abs will be depends on your body fat percentage), Pilates is a great way to improve core strength and function is a great way to improve core strength and function. Multiple studies have shown that mat Pilates is effective in strengthening the abdominal muscles.

Whether you are a runner, cyclist, or soccer player, Pilates can help prevent injuries. From calf injuries to musculoskeletal injuries, numerous studies have shown that Pilates can help protect the body.

Like yoga, Pilates practice focuses on listening to the body and moving with the breath. Studies have shown that this inward focus lowers cortisol levels in the body, which in turn reduces stress. Pilates practice has also been shown to enhance the practitioner's mood, as it can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Although the two are often lumped together, flexibility refers to the elasticity of muscles and mobility refers to the range of motion of joints. Both are important, but mobility is what all people should strive for.

To increase mobility, we need to develop muscle strength as well as flexibility. Pilates combines all three elements. Stretching increases mobility, strengthening builds muscle strength, which in turn leads to increased mobility.

As a low-impact exercise, Pilates is great for almost all Fitness Plus subscribers. It is safe for new mothers during pregnancy (but always check with your doctor beforehand) and after childbirth. It is also great for athletes returning from injury or suffering from back pain.

Through the addition of Pilates, Apple seems to be taking steps to make its platform more accessible to all.

Apple Fitness Plus is available as a $9 subscription service. $99 (US) per month or $79.99 (US) per year.