(HealthDay News) -- Pilates is a popular exercise particularly in vogue today.

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), baby boomers may find the stretching and strengthening especially helpful to their core muscles.

Here's a list of long-term benefits experienced by those who perform Pilates:

• Better posture, alignment and balance.
• Greater body awareness.
• More flexibility.
• Longer, leaner muscles.
• Relief from back pain and other injuries.
• Better range of motion.
• Less stress and mental tension.

A healthy eating plan and heart-pumping activities combined with Pilates can help achieve a total body workout.