The exercise method of pilates was invented in the 1940s by Joseph Pilates. He designed the exercise activity for soldiers and patients who had mobility limitations. He came up with an array of exercises that could be completed on an exercise mat and a reformer machine. Pilates is an appropriate activity for people of all fitness levels. Many fitness gyms offer instruction in mat pilates and some selective ones offer classes utilizing the reformer.
Benefits of Pilates
Pilates is an exercise activity designed to increase your muscular strength and flexibility. Emphasis of each workout is on developing your core muscular, also referred to as your powerhouse, which includes your abdominals, obliques, lower back and hips. As you increase your strength and flexibility, in turn you will see improvements in your posture. Kids Health.org states that it's also known to increase your circulation and make you less susceptible to injuries.
Mat Pilates
Most exercisers complete pilates on an exercise mat. The gravity's pull on your own body weight is what provides the resistance necessary for building strength and improving flexibility. The workout routine is structured sequentially, moving from one exercise to the next, typically increasing exercise intensity progressively throughout the workout. Additional exercise implements can be used in mat pilates, including an exercise ball or pilates block. Common exercises include the hundred, hamstring stretch, roll up, single leg stretch and the saw. Mat pilates may be better for beginners because it's not as confusing to complete each of the exercises as it is on the reformer, which requires more specific positioning.
Reformer Pilates
A reformer machine was originally developed by Joseph Pilates himself and uses a carriage that slides back and forth and a variety of pulleys and springs to provide resistance while completing the pilates movements. It's important to receive personal instruction of how to properly complete each exercise on a reformer. Many of the exercises are similar, but incorporate the pulleys to add additional resistance. The concept is the same, but the reformer provides the resistance instead of your own body weight, which can increase the difficulty of each exercise.
Considerations
The reformer equipment can be expensive and therefore many exercisers choose to participate in pilates on a mat. If you're a member of a gym, it's likely that they will offer free mat pilates classes, but it's rare to find a fitness gym that offers instruction on a reformer because of the expense of the unit and if they do, it typically costs an additional fee.
Member Comments