Have Questions?
Can I do this on my lunch hour?
Can Pilates help me with other injuries?
How long before I start seeing some results?
Think you're took macho for Pilates?
What are the Benefits of Pilates?
A refreshing
mind-body workout
Pilates gets your mind in tune with your body. By emphasizing proper
breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and complete concentration
on smooth, flowing movement, you become acutely aware of how your body
feels, where it is in space, and how to control its movement. The quality of
movement is valued over quantity of repetitions. Proper breathing is
essential, and helps you execute movements with maximum power and
efficiency. Last but not least, learning to breathe properly can reduce
stress.
Build strength
without "bulking up" - gain long, lean muscles and flexibility
Conventional workouts tend to build short, bulky muscles - the type most
prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle
elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility
is less likely to be injured.
Develop a strong core
- flat abdominals and a strong back
Building on the principles of Joseph Pilates, Pilates exercises
develop a strong "core," or center of the body. The core consists of the
deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Control
of the core is achieved by integrating the trunk, pelvis and shoulder
girdle.
Create an evenly
conditioned body and prevent sports injuries
In conventional workouts, weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles
tend to get stronger. The result is muscular imbalance - a primary cause of
injury and chronic back pain. Pilates conditions the whole body, even the
ankles and feet. No muscle group is over trained or under trained. Your
entire musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping you enjoy
daily activities and sports with greater ease and less chance of injury.
Learn efficient
patterns of motion
Pilates exercises train several muscle groups at once in smooth, continuous
movements. By developing proper technique, you can actually re-train your
body to move in safer, more efficient patterns of motion - invaluable for
injury recovery, sports performance, good posture and optimal health.
Be confident and safe
No other exercise system is so gentle to your body while giving it a
challenging workout. Many of the exercises are performed in reclining or
sitting positions, and most are low impact and partially weight bearing.
Pilates is so safe, it is used in physical therapy facilities to
rehabilitate injuries.
And be challenged
Pilates is also an extremely flexible exercise system. Modifications
to the exercises allow for a range of difficulty ranging from beginning to
advanced. Get the workout that best suits you now, and increase the
intensity as your body conditioning improves.
"Excerpts from the Balanced Body Inc web site, www.pilates.com
How do I choose a teacher?
It is important to choose an instructor with the right training. Check to make sure your instructor is trained through a comprehensive training program. There is a difference between "trained" and "certified" and its important that a one-on-one instructor has actually taken and passed an exam with a good certifying body. Some of the "brand names" in Pilates include Stott, Pilates Method Alliance, Body Arts and Science International, Ron Fletcher, PhysicalMind, Peak Pilates. These programs are rigorous and generally require approximately a year of study and apprenticeship. This will help you reap the benefits of Pilates while avoiding injury.
How many hours were spent in the training program. Does the instructor have any other movement related teaching experience? How long has the instructor been teaching Pilates? What is the instructor's/studio philosophy and specialty? Are they able to handle special needs, injuries and rehabilitation? Does the instructor or studio teach the full repertoire of Pilates on all pieces of apparatus? Does your instructor listen to you?
Also, you will know if your Pilates instructor is good if they are big on positioning. Some instructors do the work along side you and are not able to fully recognize if your position is correct. Because positioning, concentration, and breathing are critical to getting the results you want, having an experienced instructor who provides immediate feedback during your workout is crucial.
What do I wear to Pilates?
We encourage our clients to wear something with stretch for ease of movement as well as something that will cover your body. Your body will experience many positions on the apparatus. With the appropriate clothing, you will be able to relax, stretch and function at your best.
Can I do this on my lunch hour?
Absolutely! Although Pilates provides such great results, it doesn't require a lot of strain and sweat on your part to perform the exercises properly. Here at Four Graces, we offer a clean and relaxing environment to exercise. We also offer "freshen-up" toilettes so that you can return to work rejuvenated and invigorated. Come visit our studio to see what we have to offer. We're sure you will like it.
What if I have a back injury?
Pilates is one of the best exercises to do when working with an injury. Pilates will help you balance, strengthen and straighten your posture. Many of our clients report an improvement in their injury areas and swear by this exercise. For them, it is better than relying only on medicinal products to relieve the pain. It is a great, natural and effective way to help your body adjust and heal itself.
Can Pilates help me with other injuries?
As stated above in the "What if I have a back injury" question, Pilates is an excellent tool to help strengthen your body and teach your body to heal itself. We encourage you to give it a try. We feel you'll be very excited with the results.
How long before I start seeing some results?
Many have reported seeing results just after the first week. The same group reported seeing tremendous results after the first 30 days. Pilates is addicting and fun and provides the feedback and results you need.
Is Pilates enough?
While it is true that Pilates exercises do improve the stabilizer muscles and may even leave you with a six-pack, it is also true that the series of exercise you're doing in the class aren't doing much in the way of improving your cardio health or eliminating fat. The more advanced Pilates students managed to burn nearly 500 calories (based on a 165-pound person), while the beginners burned only 276.
The point is that doing Pilates exercise every day of the week may work wonders for your core muscles, but it won't benefit your heart very much. For that, you will need to perform cardiovascular exercise for at least 3 hours a week.
Think you're too macho for Pilates?
Over the past several years, Pilates has become a huge part of the profesionnal sports business. Top-dollar athletes such as NBA guard Jason Kidd, LA Laker Kobe Bryant, pro hockey player Carlo Colaiacovo, World Series pitcher Curt Schilling, offensive lineman Ruben Brown, and world-class golfer Tiger Woods are known to be fans of Pilates - in order to stay on top of their game and prevent injury.
The reason why so many elite athletes are incorporating Pilates into their training regimens today is because Pilates has evolved over time and is now focusing on the modern day biomechanics of the athlete’s body with essential scientific research.
Pilates helps athletes build strong, healthy muscles, improves blood flow by working the entire body, and engages all the muscles at the right time – therefore working your body inside and out for optimal body conditioning. The mind-body balance is also a vital part of this method of exercise – and is generally what sets good athletes apart from great ones.
So remember, all you guys who think Pilates is too “light weight” – the weight room isn’t the only place to reach your athletic goals. And if you’re as competitive as I know most of you are, then you will try anything to get that edge on your competition.