What is Pilates ?

Follow these few hints and you’ll get the best out of your training. At Body Works West we have 5 Pilates Reformer machines which, by using ‘spring resistance’, enable you to stretch for longer and deeper than you could ever have imagined, so come give us a try!

When doing Pilates and in order to have great results, it is necessary to do everything in the right way – learn about the posture, the breathing, the movement and the number of repetitions from a qualified teacher.

Have you ever wanted to try Pilates but you were not exactly sure what it involved and whether it would be suitable for you? Read on to find the answers to some of the most common questions you may have about Pilates. Our resident fitness experts will try and help you to understand What Is Pilates, it's origins and what the health benefits that this exercise can bring

Breathing is the key. Pilates involves slow movement and a series of exercises along with attention to proper breathing techniques.

Pilates is a form of exercise which concentrates on strengthening the body with an emphasis on core strength. This helps to improve general fitness and overall well-being.

Joseph Pilates’ original sequence of 34 mat exercises is still going strong in studios nationwide.

Similar to Yoga, Pilates concentrates on posture, balance and flexibility. In Pilates the chance of injury is much lower than with other more strenuous forms of exercise.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Pilates is that it is a form of yoga. Physicist Joseph Pilates infused his belief that both mental and physical health is interrelated in this physical fitness system.

Pilates also focuses on the mind-body connection. While doing the various exercises your mind needs to be constantly aware of your breathing and the way your body moves.

Pilates caters to everyone – it is not just for women as many seem to believe.

This form of exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany where he was a carpenter and gymnast. He invented Pilates as an exercise program for injured dancers and soldiers while living in the UK. Joseph Pilates believed that physical and mental health were closely connected. In the 1920's he immigrated to the US and opened a Pilates studio in New York. Originally this form of exercise was called Contrology.

Hollywood celebs including Madonna, Uma Thurman, Kyra Sedgwick, Christy Turlington, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Claire Danes, Molly Sims and Russell Brand all rely on Pilates to stay fit and healthy.

Because Pilates can be modified to provide either a gentle strength training program or a challenging workout, most people would have no problem with this form of exercise. It is suitable both for beginners and for people who already exercise regularly.

Pilates as a form of exercise was developed in the early 20th century.

Pilates is incomplete without method and apparatus.

If you're a beginner you can start with basic exercises and then once you've mastered those, you can work on the more advanced moves. It's a good idea when you're just starting out in Pilates to go to Pilates exercise classes or have a private instructor. This way the instructor can make sure that you are doing the exercises correctly to avoid any injury.

Pilates requires maximum concentration – it’s all about precise movements and it demands a lot of concentration.

‘Contrology’ is Pilates’ second name – Joseph Pilates believed that whoever is practicing Pilates should be in constant control of each and every movement.

It is recommended to check with your health professional if you haven't exercised for a while, are older or pregnant, or have health problems.

When doing Pilates and in order to have great results, it is necessary to do everything in the right way – learn about the posture, the breathing, the movement and the number of repetitions from a qualified teacher.

Quality is more important than quantity.

So when considering what is pilates the biggest reason people ask about this exercise is they wonder what the health benefits are.

Breathing is the key. Pilates involves slow movement and a series of exercises along with attention to proper breathing techniques.

Pilates will challenge your body – a huge advantage to anyone.

Pilates will teach you to gain and maintain good posture. The exercises require that your body is always in alignment. This is especially beneficial if you suffer from lower back pain.