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Take a Peek at Pilates
Always wondered what this workout style is all about? Here's your primer--including what Pilates can do for your body, how to find a good instructor, and more.
Pilates. You've seen the word plenty of times. You know it's some kind of exercise, maybe some form of yoga or something, but you're just not sure. The fact that Pilates (pronounced Pi-LAH-teez) is all the rage right now might give the impression that it's a relatively new or a fad technique, but actually it has been around for more than 70 years. You may be hearing more about Pilates because, until recently, few could call the core-strengthening exercise program by its real name; legal wrangling prevented that. But now fitness centers across the country can advertise it using the proper name.
What It Does
There's a strong mind-body component to Pilates, because you need to really focus on what you're doing to work the proper muscles to the max. The idea behind the Pilates workout is to strengthen the core muscles of the body—those in the abdominals and back—with a minimum of repetitions. Pilates does do that and more, says Mary Ann Rumplasch, MA, group fitness director for Plus One Fitness in New York City. "The exercises can also help improve flexibility in the back, hips, and hamstrings, and can help develop better posture," she says. Joseph Pilates, who created the technique, devised a contraption covered with pulleys and sliding boards and springs called "the Reformer." People used the equipment to work pelvic and abdominal muscles in just the right way for better stability and control. Though it might sound scary, the Reformer is low-impact and still widely used today. However, if you're not into machines, you can get a great Pilates workout with mat exercises done on the floor.
How to Begin
Though you can pick up a workout video or even a book to learn more about Pilates, you may want to consult with some experts first. "As with any form of exercise, there can be risks for injury associated with Pilates," says Rumplasch. "It's extremely important to find an instructor who understands the exercises and can modify them to suit your needs—especially if you have physical limitations." You can check with your local gyms for experienced instructors trained in Pilates or you can hunt online. "The Pilates Method Alliance Web site is helpful because you can search for well-trained instructors in your area," says Rumplasch. Visit www.pilatesmethodalliance.org. It's also a good idea to talk to your doctor about any new exercise program before you begin it.
Striving for Balance
While Pilates can help increase your core strength and give you a challenging workout, don't think doing these exercises means you can ditch your walking shoes and weights. Research from the American Council on Exercise shows that Pilates probably won't give you a sufficient cardio workout and it doesn't burn a large number of calories—but a lot depends on the skill level and the intensity of the workout. "For overall fitness, you'll also need to include cardiovascular and strength-training activities in your exercise program," advises Rumplasch.
