Q: What kind of exercise is Pilates? Does it matter if I take a class or buy a video?
A: Through discipline and determination, Joseph Pilates (pronounced puh-LAH-teez) rose from childhood illness to become an accomplished athlete. During World War I, Joseph developed specialized equipment and a series of rehabilitative and conditioning exercises for injured and immobilized patients. These exercises formed the foundation for the Pilates method of exercise that is practiced today by people in fitness centers around the world.
The Pilates method refers to a series of conditioning exercises that combine stretching, elongating, strengthening, and breathing. This form of exercise has become popular for its low stress approach to building strength and increasing flexibility, and its emphasis on balance and posture. Pilates exercise is done with mindful attention to each movement and with an emphasis on quality and precision as opposed to simply focusing on the number of repetitions. These carefully executed movements can help you become more aware of strengths and weaknesses in your body; achieve greater balance, coordination, and symmetry; and help you to avoid injury in day-to-day activities.
Several Types
There are several ways to engage in Pilates exercises including mat Pilates or Pilates that use specially designed equipment and machinery. Mat Pilates is a popular form used in many fitness centers. Some centers including Pilates centers have the specialized machinery.
The advantages of using a video are that you have the instruction right in your home, which you can use at your own discretion and on your own time. What you lose by using a video is the individual instruction from a trained professional who can help you identify specific strengths and weaknesses in your body. Also, an instructor who knows your body specifically can probably do a better job at helping you avoid injury during your workout. Classes give you a chance to have interactions with instructors and other students. However, videos are a popular medium for all of us who are living life on the run. They can be a very helpful way to get in a workout.
Class or Individual Instruction
Depending on where you live, Pilates might be offered as a group class and/or through individual instruction. Whether attending a class or watching a video, and as with any other form of exercise instruction, make sure you attend a class that is offered by a well-qualified instructor to help ensure the quality of teaching and help you to avoid injury. |
