Twice a year, RT+ hosts a workshop for Penn State Kinesiology students and this is when many of them get their first introduction to Pilates. Many of them are collegiate athletes, weight trainers, or just plain workout enthusiasts. I love to ask them the question: Tell me what you think of when you hear the word ‘Pilates’. The answers are always entertaining but never surprising:
A “Mom workout”.
For “girls”.
Something easy
Something that rich women do
You wear Lululemon and follow it up with Starbucks
……And along those lines. Not surprising! The misconceptions around who does Pilates and who benefits from Pilates are abundant. The reality is: EVERY BODY benefits from Pilates. The inventor of Pilates was, himself, a man: Joseph Pilates. His earliest clients were soldiers rehabbing from war injuries and some of his later clients included boxers and gymnasts as well as ballet dancers.
At RT+, the ratio of female to male clients who use the Pilates equipment as part of their training program is about 50/50. The benefits of Pilates go far beyond a strong core. A strong core translates to better movement throughout the entire body, improved balance, coordination, and total body strength — for any person that gets on the Pilates equipment. This includes the teenage athlete, the ballet dancer, or an elderly male with scoliosis. Pilates exercises work to elongate the muscles while strengthening them. When practicing Pilates, you are re-training the body to move in safe and efficient patterns while correcting pelvic and spinal alignment resulting in improved posture and fluid movement throughout your daily life.
Other benefits, as reported by RT+ clients, include decreased back pain, increased flexibility, improved posture, more core strength, and it feels good. Pilates is for every BODY regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Never tried Pilates? Maybe now is the time!