| The Pilates exercise and Pilates equipment as we | | | | exercises for the entire body can be performed on |
| understand it was created by Joseph Pilates. | | | | each piece. Often, a purely mat-based practice is a |
| Pilates was a character and a pugilist who lived in | | | | genuine and successful workout by itself, but if you |
| England at the beginning of the 20th century. At the | | | | have the occasion to explore some Pilates equipment |
| onset of World War 1, he was placed under forced | | | | under the tutelage of a qualified professional, do so. |
| internment along with various German nationals in | | | | The most common piece of equipment in any Pilates |
| Lancaster, England. There he taught fellow inmates | | | | studio is the Reformer (a movable carriage for |
| the concepts and exercises that he had developed | | | | pushing and pulling). However a fully equipped |
| during 20 years of self-study and practice in yoga, | | | | specialist gym would have other spring and gravity |
| Zen, and old Greek and Roman bodily regimens. | | | | based resistance equipment, e.g. Reformers Circles, |
| The exercises are a methodical routine which is | | | | Cadillac/Trap Table, Wunda Chair, Pedipull Barrels and |
| intended to develop your body's constitution with | | | | Ladder Barrel |
| balancing, stretching, strengthening and breathing. | | | | Attire |
| Devotees testify it can dramatically reshape hips, | | | | Unlike other forms of exercise, you are unlikely to |
| thighs and backside, improve upon abdominal strength | | | | get too hot when practicing, so clothing should be |
| and muscle length and benefit vertebral alignment. | | | | light and stretchable. Most people practice in bare |
| Pilates exercise can not only dramatically alter the | | | | feet as you are unlikely to slide on the floor mat. |
| way your body looks, but also the way it feels and | | | | Fitness |
| performs. The exercises set free natural hormones | | | | Although you should always follow advice from your |
| called endorphins in your body which fight pain, stress | | | | doctor before starting any fitness routine, a Pilates |
| and relieve depression. | | | | workout is measured and controlled with no sudden |
| Yoga | | | | jarring actions and, unlike many fitness programs, |
| Pilates based his teachings on other exercise | | | | Pilates exercises are not based on the principle "more |
| methods from all round the world, amongst them the | | | | is better". The moves are very simple and slow, |
| mind-body formats of yoga and Chinese martial arts. | | | | perfect for any fitness level and very likely to be |
| Resolved to overcome his own ailments, he began to | | | | appealing to beginners. |
| investigate anatomy as well as Eastern and Western | | | | How quickly you get fit depends on several intrinsic |
| forms of exercise, together with Yoga, weight | | | | factors: your existing degree of fitness, how quickly |
| training, gymnastics and acrobatics. | | | | you understand the concepts, how often you do the |
| In many regards the conditioning is comparable with | | | | workout routine and even how committed you are |
| yoga, although some declare it is superior to yoga | | | | to continuing. |
| overall since it strengthens the body naturally, | | | | Pilates exercise is also said to ward off varicose |
| improving posture tone and resilience through | | | | veins, haemorrhoids and low back pain and helps to |
| stretching. The core difference is that whilst yoga | | | | boost self esteem, maintain fitness levels and |
| requires moving from one static pose to the next | | | | prepare the body for the physical demands of |
| without repetitions, Pilates exercise flows via a | | | | motherhood. |
| succession of movements that are more dynamic, | | | | You'll probably find that many fitness centres and |
| systematic and anatomically-based. It's a | | | | YMCA's offer Pilates classes, mostly in mat work. |
| well-choreographed yoga workout that moves | | | | Fitness balls are available anywhere exercise |
| gracefully between static poses and more flexible | | | | equipment is sold, from all the big discount stores, to |
| moves, that are both challenging and relaxing. | | | | fitness stores, gyms and studios, and of course, |
| Equipment | | | | online. |
| After a few years, Joseph Pilates was transferred to | | | | One of the advantages of going to a studio is that |
| a different camp where he worked as a nurse | | | | you will find it hosts a big family of health-minded |
| caretaker. It was here that he started developing | | | | people supporting each other in losing weight and |
| equipment that would permit his patients to exercise | | | | improving fitness levels. Professional athletes and |
| whilst in a prone or sitting position; thereby avoiding | | | | dancers, pre- and post-natal women, senior citizens, |
| heavy strain on the heart and lungs. | | | | weekend warriors, and couch potatoes alike are |
| This early equipment was made by using springs | | | | enjoying his unique method of attaining physical |
| from beds and rigging them, using timber, so as to | | | | fitness. |
| allow the confined patients to benefit from | | | | Conclusion |
| movement and resistance. | | | | Pilates exercises improve the body's core, which |
| Although there are more than 500 different exercises | | | | includes the muscles in the abdomen, back, and |
| described in the Pilates routine, the basic exercises | | | | buttocks. Pilates exercises can be performed on a |
| can be performed on a simple floor mat. The | | | | mat, with literally hundreds of beginner to advanced |
| exercises can also be performed in your home using | | | | moves available in the repertoire for a well-rounded |
| ordinary fitness equipment. | | | | workout on the floor. Pilates exercise does not jar |
| Nevertheless there are many pieces of equipment | | | | the joints and is particularly useful for those having a |
| that may be used to advance the benefits of the | | | | history of joint problems. |
| exercises. Some exercises are performed on | | | | Pilates exercises also improve the mind's ability to |
| specialized Pilates equipment including the Reformer, | | | | concentrate. |
| Cadillac and Ladder Barrel. | | | | It is not necessary to join a gym or studio to benefit |
| Some Pilates equipment, like the classic Pilates Circles, | | | | from the exercise, but if you do you will find a |
| proffer spring resistance, others like the Spine | | | | wealth of equipment and advice to assist you. |
| Supporter, offer support, and a diversity of unique | | | | |