what you need to know about pilates fitness

At the start of this year, I made a goal to learn Pilates. For a long time, I’ve wanted to try out Pilates fitness but never got down to it. Finally, my goal to learn Pilates was realized on the third week of the first month. I can’t tell you how excited I was! If you too would like to explore Pilates Fitness as an option, read on to find out exactly what you are getting yourself into.

First of all, I suggest you go online to find out more about the method of pilates and get familiarized with the exercise concept. You would probably find a few familiar pilates concepts in the web including Winsor Pilates, Stott Pilates and the traditional pilates. Don’t confuse yourself with pilates with yoga – they aren’t the same.

Your pilates research will probably tell you that pilates was founded more than 70 years ago. Pilates helps to improve flexibility while the series of 500 movements were designed to build up the core muscle groups of the abdominals, shoulders, back, and pelvis. What I like about Pilates fitness is that the exercise lead to longer, leaner muscles rather that the shorter, bulky muscles. This is probably why Pilates fitness is a popular exercise among the ladies.

The concept of breathing is also key to Pilates fitness. You will find this being emphasized in every movement and in every Pilates class. While it is not a high intensity workout like aerobics, Pilates focuses on balance which also allows you to work on smaller muscle groups, making the workout very effective.

Find out how you can also include Pilates fitness into your schedule in the next post.

what on earth is winsor pilates?

I’m sure you may be wondering what on earth is Winsor Pilates and how different is it from the traditional Pilates that Joseph Pilates more than 70 years ago. Very briefly, Winsor Pilates is a derivation of the Pilates designed by Mari Winsor.

Mari Winsor is no stranger in the Hollywood and celebrity circle. Owner of two successful Winsor Pilates Fitness studios, Mari Winsor has been featured in countless magazines including Allure, Glamour, InStyle, More, Shape, W, and Woman’s World. Her list of hollywood clients are Drew Barrymore, Daisy Fuentes, Jasmine Guy, Melanie Griffith, Samuel L. Jackson, Jewel, Madonna, Sharon Stone, Patrick Swayze, Marisa Tomei, and Courtney Thorne-Smith and the list goes on!

Upon the release of her first infomercial, Winsor Pilates made its name in the world of fitness and health in a dynamic way. Mari Winsor invented Winsor Pilates for the use of the masses. It makes use of the Pilates method, adapted into a low intensity exercise which as noted earlier can be done by most people, including grannies too. This makes it accessible as well as useful for anyone, even people of poor health, giving the opportunity to improve health without the stricter requirements of other exercise methods.

Having said that, Winsor Pilates method is not designed for pregnant women so care must be taken. During the third trimester, Pilates done lying down should be avoided; this could damage the blood flow to the baby.

Apart from pregnant women and those who are *very ill, Winsor Pilates is for everyone. It provides an exercise regime that is gentle on the joints muscles and bones. After the increased focus on abdominal muscles and all-in-one gyms Winsor is a definitely good addition to harder systems that are abandoned becasue they are too difficult or take too long to make improvements.

(*When in doubt of any exercise or fitness program, please consult your doctor)

let’s step into the world of pilates fitness

So let’s step into the world of pilates fitness! A fitness workout that has attracted millions of people, from Hollywood celebrities to a 60 year old granny.

Firstly, let’s have a brief understanding of pilates fitness. Mention pilates and the name, Joseph Pilates will surface. Known as the ‘father’ of pilates, Joseph Pilates suffered from asthma, rheumatic fever and rickets when he was a young boy. As a result of that, he began his fitness training to gain more physical strength. He was dedicated to study various sorts of exercise to improve his health and wellbeing.

Being a son of  a naturopath and his father, an award winning gymnast, Pilates soon became an expert in human anatomy and became a pro in yoga, skiing, wrestling, and gymnastics. Eventually he developed the Pilates method of exercise and today, the pilates fitness program continues to inspire and improve the lives of many around the world.

Today, there are many Pilates fitness exercise studios, staffed with certified Pilates instructors. Pilates is known to increase muscle tone, improve flexibility, better posture, and even helps to reduce stress. It is no wonder why hollywood celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Sharon Stone and Hugh Grant are pilates fitness devotees, to name a few.

But before you think that pilates fitness is a fad and lifestyle exercise program, think again. It is one exercise that can be carried out by most age groups, including pregnant women (always consult your doctor first and only selected pilates movement) and those living in twilight years.

More information and insights on pilates fitness in the next post.