The Pilates method of exercise has evolved since its development in the early 20th century Germany. It was originally created by Joseph Pilates, a sickly child who grew tired of his disabilities, developed a cutting-edge fitness program and became a super athlete. The mini-ball Pilates workout is an example of a modernized version of the technique.
History
The Pilates mini-ball workout is a hybrid of two types of training, which include Pilates exercise and medicine ball training. Both techniques have been around for a long time. The enhanced athleticism from the Pilates technique inspired its creator to travel to England with a circus troupe. When World War II broke out, Pilates German citizenship earned him a trip to an internment camp, where he used the hospital bed springs to create an exercise machine. Pilates came to New York in 1926. He opened a studio, and became a fitness guru for dancers and athletes.
Time Frame
An article on the ESPN website, titled "The Ball That Just Won't Die" traces medicine ball exercise back to the gladiators in Alexandria, Egypt. David Fleming, the author of the article found references to a type of medicine ball training in "De Arte Gymnastica," a fitness document published in 1569. The trend endured through the centuries. It has always been an established training method of Olympic athletes from the Eastern Bloc countries. When the Cold War ended, Eastern European training manuals and the coaches who wrote them made their way to the United States. Medicine ball training became a trend. Its balance requirements were compatible with Pilates exercise. Instructors such as Leslee Bender, owner of the Pilates Coach in Nevada were quick to see that these techniques were a match made in heaven.
Speculation
Joseph Pilates was an innovator. His equipment was inspired by everyday household objects. The mini-ball was not a part of the original Pilates workout, but given Pilates creative tendencies, had it been around while he was alive, one can speculate that he may have found a use for it.
Significance
Pilates used the word "powerhouse" to refer to the deep core muscles. In the early 1990s, fitness educators began to focus on core exercise. They found that the mini-ball and the stability ball were efficient methods of enhancing core activation. It's interesting to note that medicine ball training, core exercise and Pilates gained popularity within the same time frame.
Expert Insight
A 2007 study published in the "Journal of Applied Research" compared abdominal exercise on the floor with abdominal work on the stability ball and on the mini-ball. The researchers found that the smaller diameter of the mini-ball increased the range of motion of the exercise. This resulted in increased core muscle activation.
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