Pilates is one of those exercises that has become quite the buzzword over the last decade. Pilates studios and classes have sprung up almost everywhere in cities near and far.
But the truth is, most of us still don’t really know what Pilates is — except that it is something that is supposed to be good for us.
Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that offers several fitness classes — weight training, cycling, tennis, swimming, AND Pilates.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Pilates. You will learn what a Pilates class looks like, the equipment used in class, the different types of Pilates, and the benefits of doing Pilates as part of your regular fitness routine.
What is the purpose of Pilates?
Similar to yoga, Pilates is a mind-body movement practice. It involves specific exercises while using your breath to control your body. In fact, the founder Joseph Pilates originally named the program Contrology.
The purpose of Pilates is to attend to the body as a complete system by strengthening the core and improving posture, flexibility, and balance. By focusing on full-body alignment, people experience greater symmetrical strength and a fuller range of motion.
Many people turn to Pilates to recover from injuries. Pilates can also prevent injuries. Many people find that by doing Pilates regularly that they have less pain, especially back pain.
Why is Pilates beneficial?
Pilates can benefit people of all backgrounds — young people, seniors, high-level athletes, and those new to fitness. Even pregnant women can do a scaled version of Pilates.
Pilates is beneficial for the mind, body, and spirit.
- Doing Pilates improves brain function.
- Pilates helps to reduce feelings of anxiety.
- It can be done when traveling or in a home gym.
- Going to Pilates class will help you get better sleep.
- This low-impact exercise does not aggravate your joints.
- Pilates boosts the immune system, especially in older adults.
- Pilates can calm the nervous system and decrease stress levels.
- Muscles become both strong and supple, which minimizes injuries.
- Movements work on both sides of the body to minimize muscle imbalance.
- Pilates increases bone density – something that is especially important for elders.
- Pilates strengthens and increases your range of motion, making it a balanced exercise.
- Improves posture, which reduces back, shoulder, and neck pain and headaches.
- It teaches people how to use their bodies more conscientiously in their day-to-day activities.
- Pilates is great for cross-training and may even help you to improve your performance with your primary sport.
Who invented Pilates?
Pilates was invented by a man named Joseph Pilates during WWll. He developed it as a recovery plan for injured soldiers in his home country of Germany.
During the war, he became imprisoned on the Isle of Man. While there, he continued his work by helping those who were injured.
Following his imprisonment, he traveled to New York, where he continued his work by helping dancers in the New York City Ballet.
After his untimely death in a fire, the practice was continued by those who had worked under him. It was renamed Pilates in his honor.
What equipment is used in Pilates?
There are two main approaches to using equipment while practicing Pilates.
One is to do it on the floor using yoga mats. The other is to use a special piece of exercise equipment called a reformer.
These two systems are part of a six-branched system of Pilates.
What are the different branches of Pilates?
Pilates has grown and evolved over time. There are now six sub-groups of Pilates.
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1. Mat Pilates
The exercises in mat Pilates are performed with your body and a yoga mat in lieu of machines and equipment. Mat Pilates focuses on your core, making it beneficial for those with back pain.
The movements in mat Pilates are based on the mat exercises in the classical Pilates system.
An April 2014 study in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal compared mat Pilates and apparatus Pilates (such as reformer Pilates). Researchers found the group that performed mat Pilates showed decreased pain levels and increased balance.
2. Reformer Pilates
This type of Pilates offers similar core-strengthening benefits as mat Pilates but uses a machine called a reformer.
A reformer has a bed-like frame, a platform, and a set of springs.
Many of the exercises on the reformer are the same as mat exercises but performed with the added resistance of the reformer's springs, straps, and ropes.
Ultimately, with reformer Pilates, you can better customize fitness goals, such as improving postural alignment and coordination, compared to mat Pilates.
3. Classical Pilates
Classical Pilates follows Joseph Pilates's original system and incorporates both mat and apparatus work.
Classical varies from other forms of Pilates because it is taught in the traditional order, which includes transitions between exercises. It is a type of Pilates that is good for people who thrive on structure and predictability in their workouts.
Another important distinction between classical Pilates and other types is the resting position. Classical Pilates focuses on a posterior pelvic tilt (hips tilt toward your back) and a few other postural preferences at the head, neck, and shoulders.
4. Contemporary Pilates
Although contemporary Pilates is inspired by and based on the classical system of Pilates, each class varies depending on the type of school that the Pilates instructor attended and what style they prefer to teach.
The Paseo Club uses this more contemporary approach.
5. Winsor Pilates
Renowned Pilates instructor Mari Winsor popularized her Winsor Pilates method with workout videos and infomercials.
Winsor Pilates focuses on shaping the body with a combination of classical Pilates exercises done in a specific, nontraditional order to maximize results.
Winsor Pilates consists of 13 Pilates mat movements in 20-minute workouts, making it ideal for beginners and those short on time.
6. Stott Pilates
Stott Pilates creator ballerina Moira Merrithew originally studied Pilates after a neck injury.
Central to this form of Pilates is the incorporation of expertise from rehabilitation experts and movement specialists.
Each class begins with a warm-up to align the body and release neck and back pressure.
Another thing that sets this type of Pilates apart is that it takes the basic principles of the classical method and adds props such as the stability ball, foam roller, and BOSU, making it a good pick for anyone looking to improve their balance.
Unlike classical Pilates, where participants press their lower spine toward the floor, in Stott Pilates, you maintain the natural curve of the lower spine off the floor.
Is Pilates the right class for you?
If you are curious about trying out a Pilates class for the first time — come in and don’t be shy. There are many beginner-level courses available.
Plan to come a few minutes early to introduce yourself to the instructor and find a place in the room where you can see them well.
You may be a little bit sore after class. But don’t worry, that is normal.
What you may discover is that after attending a few sessions, you will sit taller, move with more ease and less pain, and perform even better in other physical activities.
Paseo Club has been offering private and group lessons to athletes of all abilities for almost 20 years. To see when the Pilates classes are offered or to sign up check out the fitness calendar.
If you would like to see our Pilates studio as well as the other fitness facilities, the Paseo Club offers tours every day of the week.
To learn more about the relationship between the body and the mind, read these articles:
- The 8 best relaxation techniques
- Yoga vs. Pilates (and which is best for you)
- 8 Steps to support your mental health
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