Pilates, the general name for a type of exercise created by Joseph Pilates, originated in the early part of the 20th century but continues to grow in popularity and clinical use to this day. Millions of people participate in different types of Pilates programs, ranging from rehabilitative sessions in physical therapy centers to group fitness classes in large health clubs.
On the Machines
Joe Pilates invented his mechanical versions of exercise equipment as far back as the 1920s, after time spent helping rehabilitate soldiers in England during World War I. His original designs for three major pieces of Pilates apparatus include a system of rails, springs, cords, pulleys, pedals and benches that are both stationary and gliding.
The main machines Pilates invented and used to train clients over 80 years ago, are called the Reformer, the Trapeze Table and the Wunda Chair. These are still used today.
Exercising on the machines in a Pilates program allows you to choose from a variety of class formats, from one-on-one private lessons, to group lessons featuring several people working on a line of machines in a row. The Pilates Method Alliance recommends a maximum of six participants per qualified instructor in a group equipment class.
Reformer classes offer versatility in exercise selection for larger classes, as well as hundreds of movements suitable for modification should you have limited mobility or restrictions. Wunda Chair, the smallest of the major apparatus, remains a popular choice for at-home use.
On the Mat
Mat work in Pilates began as a method of exercise for mind, body and spirit that Pilates called Contrology. His 1945 book, "Return to Health Through Contrology," describes and illustrates the 34 exercises that form historical basis of all Pilates programs done on the floor instead of with equipment.
Exercising on the mat in a Pilates program requires consistent practice to achieve the benefits Joe Pilates promised, including renewed energy and endurance. Group exercise programs offer you the opportunity to share the cost of specialized instruction while learning methods for exercise that can be further practiced at home. The Pilates Method Alliance recommends a maximum of 12 students in a Pilates mat work class.
Accessories
The evolution of the original Pilates method brought a host of new introductions to Pilates exercise programs over the years, many with the blessings of Joe's wife, Clara. The Pilates elders, or first generation teachers of the method, branched out to different areas of the country and world with different focuses and applications for the method.
Today, in this spirit of growth, the original accessories of Joe Pilates join in popular usage with newer inventions to find their way into Pilates exercise programs. Accessories, or props, such as Pilates' own flexible metal ring called the Magic Circle, work side-by-side with elastic therapy bands, foam rollers and stability balls to accentuate the effectiveness of your Pilates program.
References
- "Return to Life Through Contrology"; Joseph H. Pilates and William J Miller; 1945
- Pilates Method Alliance: Official Position Statement on Pilates
- "Pilates Comprehensive Workbook"; Virginia Nicholas, 2007
- "PMA Pilates Certification Exam Study Guide"; Pilates Method Alliance, Inc.; 2005
- Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook; Ellie Herman; 2004
Member Comments