Pilates is stretching and strengthening fitness technique. Although it was developed in the early 20th century, it has become a popular program at health clubs, private fitness centers and Pilates studios. Pilates can either be performed on the mat or the equipment. Both are effective, but private and group sessions on the equipment are much more expensive than mat classes.
History
The athleticism of the Pilates technique may cause someone to assume that Joseph Pilates was a natural athlete. That assumption would be incorrect. When Pilates was growing up in Germany, he suffered from a number of physical ailments. He decided to develop a series of exercises to help him overcome his physical limitations. The technique was called "contrology." His methods transformed him from sickly child to super athlete.
World War II broke out while Pilates was in England with a traveling circus troupe. He was sent to a British internment camp, where he rigged the hospital bed springs to create an exercise machine. His invention was the original inspiration for the Pilates reformer.
Considerations
Pilates' metamorphosis from invalid to athlete resulted from his mat exercises. The equipment was a later development. If your funds are limited, a mat class is an efficient way to get the benefits of Pilates. Some mat classes also use small props, which simulate some machine movements.
Comparing the Benefits
Despite the obvious benefits of mat classes, there is a good deal of controversy about which is best for beginners. Some instructors believe that the basic principles of Pilates are best learned without the distraction of the complex Pilates equipment. Others disagree. Some machines, such as the Pilates reformer, help clarify the exercises.
The reformer consists of a spring-controlled moving carriage, as well as a series of cables and pulleys. The carriage glides along a track. This movement helps you in exercises that involve tracking the movements of the legs. The cables can help clarify the movements of the upper body. For example, the Pilates exercise known as "the hundred" involves pumping the arms for 100 counts. It was designed to help the student engage the latissimus dorsi, the muscles that run down the side of the back. This exercise seems silly when performed on the mat. When using the reformer cables, the student can get the sensation of engaging the lats to pull the cable handles down by her sides.
Functions of the Pilates Machines
A basic understanding of the functions of the Pilates machines can help you decide whether you would be best served by an equipment session. The reformer works every muscle in the body. Its springs provide resistance; if you need a strength-training workout, reformer training might be a good choice.
The Pilates chair is a box with spring-controlled foot pedals on one side. It is often used for foot, ankle and upper body rehabilitation exercises. The arc barrel, as its name implies, is shaped like an arc. It is often used for spinal flexion and extension exercises. People with back problems may benefit from this type of equipment.
Types of Mat Classes
A number of different types of Pilates mat classes are possible. Basic mat exercises are performed without any equipment. Some instructors use resistance bands and stability balls in their classes. The combination of the band and ball may simulate the actions of the reformer. In fact, some instructors believe that the balance challenge imposed by the ball may aid in enhancing core activation. The bosu is also used in Pilates mat classes. The bosu is shaped like half a ball, with a platform on one side and a dome on the other. Its resemblance to the arc barrel makes it a viable alternative for arc barrel exercises.
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