A man named Joseph Pilates developed the exercise method called contrology, which later became known as the Pilates method. Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in the early 20th century. He was a sickly child who created his fitness technique as a means of overcoming his physical disabilities. While Pilates is credited with developing complex exercise machines such as the reformer and the Cadillac, his simple equipment, such as the fitness circle is still used in Pilates mat classes.
History
Pilates had a talent for creating exercise equipment from everyday products. While working in England during World War I, he was sent to an internment camp where he rigged the hospital bed springs to develop physical therapy exercises for fellow internees. Pilates came to New York City after the war and opened a fitness studio. Since many of his students were injured dancers and athletes, he wanted to create a product that they could take on the road. The exercise circle was created from the steel hoop of a beer keg.
Identification
The Pilates exercise circle is also called the magic circle and the Pilates fitness circle. It is made from flexible metal or rubber and has pads on the inside and outside of the circle. Most Pilates exercise circles have a 13- to16-inch diameter. Most Pilates fitness circle exercises involve placing your hands or legs on the outer pads and pressing in, or placing your hands or legs on the inner pads and pressing out.
Function
The Pilates exercise circle serves a variety of purposes . While it is usually used for leg and upper body exercises, it can also be placed between both hands as a means of maintaining the correct upper body alignment. If you also have a stability ball, you can place the ball inside the circle when you're not using either piece of equipment. This will prevent the ball from rolling around the floor.
Benefits
The Pilates exercise circle adds challenge and variety to a Pilates mat workout. It can also help you identify certain muscle groups, so that you can activate them at will during other exercises. Placing the circle between the inner thighs and squeezing inward, for example, activates the inner thighs, and placing your legs inside the circle and pressing outward activates the outer thighs. This body awareness is useful in other exercises, such as the side leg raise series. Understanding how to voluntarily contract your inner or outer thigh muscles will prevent you from using momentum during this series.
Considerations
While the Pilates exercise circle is an effective training tool, it is limited as a strength-training device. You can progress the exercise by pushing the pads closer together or further away from each other, but the range of motion is limited. As you become stronger, the exercise circle may help you maintain your current fitness level, but it will not improve it.
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