LEARN MORE ABOUT PILATES
The Joseph Pilates Story
Joseph Pilates was born near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1883. Little is known about his early life, but he appears to have been a frail child, suffering from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. His drive and determination to overcome these ailments led him to become a competent gymnast, diver and skier.
In 1912 Pilates lived in England working as a circus performer, boxer and self-defence instructor. During the First World War, he was interned with other German nationals. During this time he developed his technique of physical fitness further, by teaching his fellow internees. During the War, he served as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man where he worked with patients unable to walk. He attached bed springs to the hospital beds to help support the patients' limbs, leading to the development of his famous piece of equipment known as the 'Cadillac'. Much of his equipment, although slightly adapted, is still in use today in many Pilates Studios.
Pilates emigrated to the USA in the early 1920s with his wife Clara, and together they developed and taught the method in their 'body-conditioning gym' in New York in 1926.
The studio featured much of the Apparatus designed to enhance his rehabilitation work. It soon became very popular, particularly with the dance community, as it offered a chance to improve technique or recover from injury. Word spread quickly and many celebrities of the day visited his studio. These included dance legends such as Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine and Martha Graham, as well as the actor Jose Ferrer and the author Christopher Isherwood. Originally 60% of the clientele were men.
In 1932 Pilates published a booklet called 'Your Health' and followed this with another called 'Return to Life Through Contrology' in 1945. Through these writings and his students, his method was passed on after his death in 1967 at the age of 83. During his lifetime this method of exercise was called Contrology. It was only after his death that it became known as the Pilates Method.
What exactly is Pilates?
Pilates is a method of exercise that consists of low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance. Pilates is named for its creator, Joseph Pilates, who developed the exercises in the 1920s.
A Pilates routine generally includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control, and endurance, including exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns and balanced flexibility and strength. It can also be helpful in training for sports or in physical rehabilitation.
Can beginners do Pilates?
It's a common misconception that Pilates is only for serious athletes or professional dancers. While these groups first adopted Pilates, they aren't the only ones who can benefit from this approach to strength training.
Another common misperception is that Pilates requires specialized equipment. Maybe you've seen a Pilates apparatus — called a Reformer — that looks like a bed frame with a sliding carriage and adjustable springs, or perhaps you've seen a type of trapeze table. But don't let those machines intimidate you.
The reality is that many Pilates exercises can be done on the floor with just a mat.
Is Pilates for women only?
It's a common misconception that Pilates is only for women only. Joseph Pilates, the founder of the technique used these exercises with soldiers during the 1st world war. The original aim was to use exercises with soldiers to recover faster from injuries. It is after he moved to America that women started to practice the repertoire.
What are the benefits of Pilates?
By practising Pilates regularly, you can achieve a number of health benefits, including:
Improved core strength and stability
Improved posture and balance
Improved flexibility
Prevention and treatment of back pain
Is Pilates for everyone?
If you're older, haven't exercised for some time or have health problems, it's a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Pilates is no exception. Similarly, women who are pregnant should check with their health care providers before starting Pilates or other exercise programs.
Pilates can be adapted to provide a gentle strength training and stability program, or it can be modified to give a seasoned athlete a challenging workout. If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to go slow at first and gradually increase the intensity of your workout.
Let your instructor know if you have any conditions or previous injuries so he or she can assist you in modifying movements.
Because it's essential to maintain the correct form to get the most benefit — and to avoid injuries — beginners should start out under the supervision of an experienced Pilates instructor.
Pilates can be a good strength training workout, but it isn't aerobic exercise. You'll also need to include aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, running, biking or swimming.
Some differences between Pilates Mat Work and Pilates Reformer
Mat work
Pilates mat work is the basis for the entire Pilates system of exercises and this is the Pilates that we offer at HYP Malta. In general, a traditional Pilates mat class will work your legs, stomach, lower and upper back muscles. On the mat, your body weight provides resistance against gravity, making the workout more challenging in many cases. You must be in full control of your body, rather than relying on the assistance or support of the springs and cables of an apparatus. Mat work is a great option for beginners because of its emphasis on learning how to control your muscles during exercises.
But don’t be fooled, advanced mat classes are the hardest because you’re using your body all the time, the reformer isn’t there assisting or supporting you. While doing Pilates on a mat instead of a Reformer may not seem as exciting or challenging, many clients see results (improved strength, posture, agility, flexibility, toned muscles) within just a few mat sessions.
Reformer
The Pilates reformer is a traditional piece of Pilates equipment, originally designed by Joseph Pilates while living in a World War I internment camp to help rehabilitate immobilised soldiers. The modern reformer is a narrow bed with a sliding carriage, straps and pulleys, made more or less resistant by adding or removing springs. Many people are quite scared of the reformer when they first see it as it looks quite intimidating (almost medieval), but put any fears you may have aside because after just one or two workouts on a reformer you realise it is the most versatile and effective piece of exercise equipment ever made… and it’s great fun!
The Reformer acts as a support system for the body by helping assist it into proper form. It adds resistance to the Pilates exercises via the use of the springs that form part of the machine. Extra springs can be added to build strength in the bigger muscle groups, or lower springs can be utilised to challenge the stabilising muscles. This means that the intensity can be varied considerably from one person to the next, making it an incredibly versatile piece of equipment to use. This capability, combined with the support afforded by the resistance the machine provides, allows people of all capabilities (including those with limited range of movement or injuries) to safely complete exercises.
So which one?
Still can’t decide between Mat or Reformer Pilates? There is no need to agonise over the decision; most people will reap similar benefits from both methods. Both will teach you how to effectively use your powerhouse, building strength in your body’s core, which will quickly translate to benefits in your day-to-day activities or sports.
The biggest misconception is that Reformer Pilates is harder than Mat Pilates, when in fact it can be the opposite in an advanced class (which will lead to faster results). What is critical is that regular practice is maintained and that the principles of Pilates (breath, centering, concentration, control, precision and flow) are adhered to throughout a class to maximise the results you will see.