Imagine an exercise regimen that you actually looked forward to attending. A program that engages your mind and body, leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated, and in a state of physical and mental well-being. The Pilates system (pronounced puh-lah-tees) of body conditioning offers this, and more.
While interning in England during WW1, Joseph H. Pilates became a nurse. Using hospital beds and springs he designed an exercise program for immobilized patients that worked to reawaken their bodies through movement, and their minds through conscious thoughts. This method formed the foundation for his style of total body conditioning and specialized equipment. He introduced his unique method of exercise in New York in 1926, and in no time a who’swho of the sports and entertainment world were practicing Pilates.
Unlike weight training, where typically one muscle group is focused on at a time, Pilates focuses on the “core” stability (abdomen, low back and buttocks), as the limbs work at the same time. Instead of doing multiple repetitions with weights, fewer precise moves are performed . Long, lengthened muscles are obtained verses bulky. It is traditionally practiced one on one, or in a small supervised group with the appropriate apparatus. With over 500 exercises, one is highly unlikely to become unchallenged or bored. Since Pilates is non-aerobic, adding cardiovascular exercise to your workout is an ideal combination.
