5 Top Myths About Pilates

By incorporating breathing with concentrated movements, Pilates is a method of exercise that, with regular practice, can help you to create a longer, leaner physique. More than 11 million people practice Pilates in the United States today. While Pilates has become extremely popular, there are still many incorrect preconceptions about the practice.

Creation

Myth #1: Pilates was invented in Hollywood for the stars.
Pilates was not invented in Hollywood for an elite population. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Pilates was invented by Joseph Pilates, a German boxer who was living in England during the onset of World War 1 and was forced to go into an internment camp. With limited resources, Pilates taught fellow internees how to stay physically fit using just a mat. This was the precursor to Mat Pilates. Later, when he was transferred to a second camp and worked with people who were recuperating from physical illness and bedridden, he developed Reformer Pilates, which he originally termed "Contrology."

Cost

Myth #2: Pilates is very expensive
While individual Reformer sessions can cost from $55 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the expertise of the instructor, many Mat Pilates classes are offered at reasonable rates or for free with a gym membership. Mat Pilates can also be practiced at home with just a mat and, if you need instruction, an exercise video. Mat classes range in length from 20 to 90 minutes and will help you to both strengthen and lengthen your muscles.

Muscles Worked

Myth #3: Pilates only tones your stomach and legs
Pilates exercises do focus on engaging the core throughout the workout. However, if you use proper form and take regular classes, you will be able to strengthen your entire body. Pilates encourages exercisers to create isometric resistance against each muscle group as it strengthens specific portions of the body. The areas of concentration include the abs and the legs, but a complete-body Pilates class will also work your gluteus maximus, back, shoulders, chest and arms.

Student Gender

Myth #4: Pilates is just for women.
While most Pilates classes have a greater percentage of female attendees than male, both men and women practice Pilates. Pilates was invented by a professional athlete, and many male athletes use it today to cross train. Some examples are golfer Rich Beem, winner of the 2002 PGA Championship; 10-time PGA Player of the Year Tiger Woods; Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd; retired Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling (a three-time World Series champion) and retired Chicago Bears offensive lineman Ruben Brown. Pilates allowed them to increase their core strength and range of motion.

Relationship to Yoga

Myth #5: Pilates is like yoga, only faster.
Yoga and Pilates do have some things in common. Both are mind-body workouts with cardiovascular, muscular and range-of-motion benefits. However, while Joseph Pilates regularly practiced yoga, Pilates is a very different type of workout. In yoga, you breathe through your nose the entire time with a breath that feels somewhat like snoring. In Pilates, you breathe in through your nose and then breathe out through your mouth at the point of maximum muscle engagement. Yoga focuses on a series of poses that encourage strength and flexibility; Pilates focuses on small movements and incorporates ancient Roman and Greek athletic conditioning practices.