Pilates – That’s Hot
By C. Nemecek
Developed
from rehabilitation techniques; Pilates is a safe, sensible exercise system.
By
emphasizing proper breathing, it gets your mind and body in tune with
one
another.
The
originator, Joseph Pilates, was the son of a prize winning gymnast in Germany;
were Joseph was born.
A sickly child,
Joseph began his life’s journey to fitness
and health at an early age. By the time he was 14 he was modeling for
anatomy
charts.
In 1912
Joe went to England where he worked as a self defense instructor for Scotland
Yard. At the beginning of WWI
he was interned with other German nationals.
During his internment, Joe refined his idea and trained other internees.
In 1918
an influenza epidemic struck England killing thousands. Not one of Joe’s
trainees died. He claimed this to be a testament to the effectiveness
of his
system.
In 1926
Joseph Pilates emigrated to the U.S. and opened his first studio in New York
City sharing an address with the New York City Ballet. Along the way he met
Clara whom he later married. By 1960 many New York dancers were their clients;
including George Balanchine, who later invited Joe to instruct his young
ballerinas at the New York City Ballet.
When Joe passed away in 1967 only two of his students were known to have opened
their own studios. Carola Trier, a close friend and Bob Seed, who tried to take
clients from Joe.
More than 80 years later Pilates has become one of the hottest and most accessible workouts around. It’s no wonder as Pilates not only tones and tightens your body, but protects it too, by strengthening. Today there are two basic types of Pilates. The most common type (which you can do almost anywhere) consists of a series of floor exercises preformed on a mat. These use the body’s own weight as resistance, but can also involve resistance bands or the Pilates Magic Circle (a flexible circle made of rubber or thin metal). The second type relies on two machines called the Cadillac and the Reformer which use a system of springs, levers and pulleys to strengthen and condition. Both types work on the “core” or transverse muscle deep in the abdomen that forms the girdle inside the body. A strong transverse muscle gives you better endurance in every other physical activity. It also protects the lower back and improves posture.
Pilates exercises do
produce long lean muscles like a dancer’s, but Pilates isn’t just for girls. Pro
football players use Pilates to strengthen their bodies and cores; which helps
them absorb the impact of full body tackles without blowing out their knees.
During World War I, Joseph Pilates used his exercises to help wounded soldiers
become mobile again.
Today, Mari Winsor has
created the Winsor Pilates Basic 3 DVD Workout Set (Basics Step-By-Step/20 Minute Workout/Accelerated Body Sculpting)
With over 4 million videos already sold, the Winsor Pilates program is one of the top selling fitness programs in the world, and is transforming the bodies of men and women all over the globe. The key is Mari Winsor’s dynamic sequencing – a special combination of controlled movements that’s guaranteed to shape and sculpt long lean muscles.
Other Pilates Programs
Zone Pilates - Zone Pilates Mat Workout VHS Version As Seen on Tv
Zone Pilates - Zone Pilates Mat Workout DVD Version As Seen On TV
This is the program I am currently using and very happy with. It uses a
resistance band which helps target buns and thighs; and keeps my back pain at
bay. I've also managed to keep my weight in a nice tight range for over a year
now, but I did start with Windsor Pilates.
