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Many clients and prospects have said they had no idea what Pilates is, many had no idea there were unique apparatus; several said they thought a Mat class in a studio would be the same as a Mat class at their gym. All have said they were pleasantly surprised to find they were not lying on yoga mats on the floor, and the workout was much more challenging, more fun, and more comprehensive. For those of you who are wondering what is Pilates all about? What is Pilates equipment? What is the difference between a Mat class in a studio and a Mat class in the gym? Now is your opportunity to try an Introductory Mat or Introductory Equipment class for HALF-PRICE. Any Body's Pilates is celebrating March Madness Saturday, March 27 with 2 Introductory Mat and 2 Introductory Equipment classes, all at 50% off. Class size is limited, so call ahead to reserve your space - 843.225.6523, or register online by clicking here.
Client: "What muscle am I working on this exercise?" Client: "I only want to do exercises for my [insert body part - arms, glutes, thighs]." Client: "I have a pain here [insert body part], what exercises work that?"Central Pilates principle: it's ALL about the POWERHOUSE. Primary powerhouse is ribs to knees and all the way around (abs, obliques, back, glutes, thighs, glutes, hips). Secondary powerhouse is the shoulder girdle. Put the primary and secondary powerhouse together, add the mind-body connection (for control, not meditation or relaxation), and there is not much left. When clients ask which body part they're working on a particular exercise, powerhouse is always the best answer. Often times, the body part that is moving, or seems to be challenged most during the exercise, isn't the one that is most challenged. Clients rarely believe this until they experience it for themselves. Any knowledgable fitness guru will tell you there is no such thing as spot reducing, all body parts need to be worked equally for body balance, all muscles need to be worked concentrically and eccentrically, and opposing muscle groups must be exercised. Joseph Pilates was an anatomy expert who designed a full-body workout, that works best when all the body parts work, and work together. It's true some Pilates exercises do more of one thing than another, but there are reasons why they're grouped a certain way. If allowed to pick and choose, most people will practice exercises they do well, not the ones they need.So, when doing Pilates, instead of focusing on which muscle you're working, focus on getting all your muscles to work together for proper form. You'll get a much better, much deeper workout, and may be surprised to find muscles you didn't know were involved -- are sore.Remember, it's all about the Powerhouse!
"Pilates is just like Yoga, right?" "Pilates is for stretching, like Yoga." If it was JUST LIKE Yoga, wouldn't it be another form of Yoga?Yoga is a form of meditation, to quiet the mind.
Pilates is a method of exercise -- it's a workout. Clients flow from one exercise to another rarely doing more than 10 repetitions of any exercise, positions are not held for extended periods. Joseph Pilates believed movement heals, so clients get moving and keep moving during the workout. While Stretch is a component of Pilates, along with Strength, Stamina and Stabilization (centering and balancing the body), Pilates is all about the powerhouse. Most people think of their core as the rectus abdominus. Joseph Pilates defined the powerhouse as everything between the ribs and knees (abdominals, back, glutes, hips, and thighs) and all the way around, so don't forget the back, obliques, hamstrings, abductors, hip flexors, etc. Instead of quieting the mind, like Yoga, the Pilates mind-body connection is about gaining control of the body through a strong and stable powerhouse. Joseph Pilates' ideal was for clients to do his exercises on a Mat, unaided. He found equipment helpful in familiarizing clients with unusual positions and strengthening the body for Mat exercises. As a result, he designed a number of unique pieces of equipment. Joseph Pilates developed a vigorous, complete body workout. He didn't play new age music, light incense, turn off the lights, or tell people to relax in his studio, so don't expect to find that in a classical studio. Clients will work, it is hard, it is possible to sweat (although not like Bikram Yoga), and clients will be a little sore, but without the pain of a gym workout. Pilates and Yoga can be complimentary, but they are NOT the same.
Today, I was reminded of a major Pilates Pet Peeve -- people (mostly gyms) who call something "Pilates" when it doesn't resemble Pilates. Many of the instructors have never been in a Pilates studio, don't know anything about Joseph Pilates, but claim to teach "Pilates" classes.An acupuncturist contacted me, but she is not a fan of Pilates because she went to a Beginner Pilates class at her gym, and absolutely hated it. When I asked what she hadn't liked, she said lifting weights, while balancing on a stability ball, didn't seem safe. Obviously not classical Pilates, and definitely not what I would consider Beginner level anything group fitness-related. When I told her I doubted the instructor had any kind of Pilates-related instructor training or certification, she seemed doubtful. She confirmed with her gym -- none of the instructors who teach "Pilates" there have any teacher training/certification in Pilates. So, these instructors are giving a number of people the wrong idea about what Pilates is, who can do Pilates, and the benefits. IDEA surveys indicate Pilates is on the rise in popularity, but will naming a class Pilates instead of what it is -- body sculpt, chisel, members' choice, strength training, cardio interval, circuit training, boot camp, abs & glutes -- benefit anyone? SIDE NOTE: her personal trainer's instructions are equally suspect. Most gyms with similar business models hire and reward personal trainers for their sales ability, not their talent as a trainer. The personal trainer in me doesn't like that either.
