Pilates and Quality

The popularity of Pilates has significantly progressed the fitness world. Oh sure, it started out as a fad but now core exercises are here to stay as well as every variation someone can come up with. But the simplest things are also the hardest. We’ve heard this old adage before and it perfectly describes the essence of Pilates. Why do 5 movements when you can do 1? It’s all about efficiency, and the basic tenets that Joe Pilates wanted his exercises to embody- precision, concentration, control and fluidity. Each movement in Pilates, including transitioning into and out of the exercise, is to be done in keeping with these tenets so the need for repetition and resistance is reduced. This is the complete opposite concept from traditional forms of exercise like weight lifting and aerobic activity. In other words, if you focus on what you’re doing you will get more out of it and not have to do it as much. Studies have shown that this is true even for aerobic activity, 20-30 minutes is just as effective as 90 minutes. As far as repetition, in other types of strength training you do as many repetitions as you can to until fatigue. In Pilates the repetition is address through the 5 basic principles- Breathing, Pelvic Placement, Ribcage Placement, Scapula Stabilization and Mobilization and Neck and Head Placement. The awareness of these five principles are repeated in every exercise and the strength is reinforced by this repetition. The better you get at doing the principles with the tenets mentioned above the harder the simple exercises become and this is why there are some exercises we never leave out like the 100’s. There is always another layer of awareness to attain with all these ideas in mind. It can be hard to believe that these simple exercises can create the same strength as weight lifting when we’ve been conditioned by the fitness industry that we have to go to fatigue to benefit. Another way to think of it is the more fatigue you create the more recovery time you need. If you do Pilates correctly, you shouldn’t be sore like after weight lifting. You can do some Pilates everyday and benefit from the awareness and strengthening without suffering pain. Not as many studies about Pilates have been done to prove or disprove that it is as effective as weight lifting. The only evidence you personally have right now is how you feel after Pilates and if your quality of life has improved as a result. Most people continue doing Pilates because they do notice a difference. Receiving the benefits of Pilates can be as much a mind shift as a body shift, allowing yourself believe that small, simple movements done with control, concentration, precision and fluidity can be as beneficial as going to the gym and killing yourself.

Melissa Noble
from Bloomington, IN