Pilates Questions

Although no single form of exercise is right for everyone, Pilates is appropriate for most people. Pilates benefits people who want to achieve optimal fitness, a better quality of life free from aches and pains, recovery from injury, or who seek a complement to a current exercise program or a cross-training alternative to other sports.

No, Pilates was in fact created by a man, Joseph Pilates, who was a professional boxer, skier and gymnast. It has been used by men ever since with great performance results.

No matter their sport and skill level, athletic men find that Pilates training, with its emphasis on whole-body fitness, gives them what they need to perform with endurance and strength and injury-free. Many male professional athletes have added Pilates to their training programs, including Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, David Beckham and LeBron James. They testify that Pilates has enhanced their coordination, strength, flexibility, athletic performance and injury recovery and prevention.

Consistency is the key and experts have found that two or three times a week produces the best results.

Over time and with practice, Pilates retrains the body to move in a way that is natural, efficient and pain-free. According to Joseph Pilates: “In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you'll be on your way to having a whole new body.”

We generally see improvements to posture after the first session.

Pilates is most often performed on a mat or a “reformer.” A Pilates reformer is one of the Pilates resistance machines, with a moving carriage that slides along a wooden or metal frame. Springs and straps provide assistance and resistance; exercises are performed lying down, sitting, kneeling or standing. Pilates reformers offer more resistance and support than a mat.

Mat Pilates is a series of exercises done on the floor that target the core muscles that stabilize the pelvis and back. Mat workouts will allow you more flexibility in where and when you work out.

What appeals to you will depend on how you like to work out, your schedule, how much you want to spend and whether you want or need a customized Pilates program.

Does working out with others help you stay motivated and focused? Do you have a consistent schedule? Do you want to minimize the cost of your Pilates sessions? If so, group classes may be the best fit.

On the other hand, working one-on-one allows you to set your own schedule and not be driven by specific class times. One-on-one Pilates sessions also allow you to address your unique goals or physical needs, as the instructor designs a customized Pilates program for you. Your unique program changes as you physically progress or your needs change.

An introductory or beginner Pilates mat session (private or small class) is a good starting point for those new to the Pilates method of exercise. It is important to learn some basics and get proper feedback when first learning, since Pilates exercises build on fundamental concepts. If you are unsure whether Pilates is right for you, small group classes are a more economical introduction than private or semi-private sessions, and you will still receive plenty of individual attention, guidance and monitoring.

Research suggests that a pregnant woman should not start a new exercise routine during her first trimester. However, women have found that Pilates during a normal healthy pregnancy can be very beneficial, since Pilates improves your changing center of balance and decreases incidence of low-back pain. Always consult your doctor about your exercise program during pregnancy.