Pilates is a workout that conditions the body by increasing strength, flexibility and endurance. Some Pilates exercises use machines, others use your own body weight, while still others use specialized equipment, such as resistance bands or weighted balls. While there are different types of Pilates exercises, they all boil down to the idea of precision, concentration, controlled movements and deep breathing to tone and strengthen your body.
Stott Pilates Exercises
Stott Pilates exercises are designed to rehabilitate the spine and restore its natural curve while rebalancing the muscles and joints around the spine. These exercises provide a contemporary approach to the traditional Pilates exercises to provide longer, leaner muscle, improve posture, prevent injury, improve balance, strength and flexibility and provide a no-impact form of exercising. The exercises improve core strength and strengthen the muscles around the joints by focusing on breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement and head and cervical spine placement.
Pilates Cadillac Exercises
Pilates Cadillac exercises are performed on a 6-foot tall piece of equipment that features leg springs, arm springs, hanging loops, a push-through bar and a trapeze. This type of exercise was originally developed as a training program to enhance golf performers. The machine isolates almost every muscle group to help build muscle and increase flexibility. Because the Cadillac machine is so large, it can typically only be found in private Pilates sessions.
Winsor Pilates Exercises
Winsor Pilates is a type of Pilates developed by Mari Winsor, a dancer and teacher in Hollywood, California. Her signature Pilates style is a low-intensity body sculpting workout that combines strength training with calorie burning. The exercises Winsor developed build on the traditional Pilates exercises, requiring concentration and using deep stretching and focused breathing. Cardio activity is added to the exercises to help burn calories for weight loss.
Reformer Exercises
Pilates reformer exercises use special resistance machines to increase muscle strength and flexibility. The reformer machine is spring-loaded with a moving carriage, adding resistance to your workout. The spring-loaded machine can be moved by pressing a foot bar or tugging on special pulleys. This machine is usually found at Pilates studios for individual sessions.
Mat Exercises
Traditionally, Pilates exercises are performed on a mat placed on the floor. This is the type of Pilates exercise that is offered in local gyms and Pilates studios. Pilates mat exercises are performed on your back, your side or your stomach, allowing you to use your own body weight as resistance to strengthen the muscles of you body. For more intense exercises, you can add a toning ring, weighted ball or resistance bands.
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