What drew me to Pilates was reading an article last year about David Beckam now in his early 30’s still playing at the top of his game and sought after by the top soccer clubs in Europe.
Becks was introduced to Pilates wile on loan at AC Milan. The Italian giants insist all their players take up Pilates as it helps with balance and suppleness. The fitness regime has reduced Becks’ body fat from 13.7 per cent to a super-toned 8.5 per cent.
He said: “I do an hour of Pilates a day. The medical set-up at Milan is fantastic and fitness-wise I am the best I have been for a long time. The England star, says he is in his best shape in years due to an hour-long daily routine.
In fact a number of high profile professional athletes in some sports have started performing Pilates regularly to help develop their core strength and flexibility. It is thought that these skills may help keep the athlete injury-free and help enhance performance
Pilates, pronounced “Pih-LAH-Teez”, is a physical fitness system, developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. It is an exercise program that focuses on strengthening the core postural muscles to support the spine.
Presently there has been a real surge in the amount of Pilates based programs and instructors out there in the fitness industry, which can make it hard for some people to choose the right class or instructor. If like me you struggle to understand the difference between matt based Pilates to machine based (reformer) here are a couple of helpful hints to tell the differences:
The Pilates reformer- works on a pulley system with the leather straps or ropes. You can do exercises standing, kneeling, sitting, or lying down. Your resistance, which is the main part of the workout, comes from pulling the straps attached to springs along with your own body weight. Four levels of resistance on the machine are adjustable. The green spring is for light resistance and the resistance increases with blue, yellow, and red. A stationary bar is also used for pushing off in some exercises. Once you get started, you will discover virtually endless amounts of exercises you can do to work just about every muscle group in your body.
Pilates mat work- is often done in live classes, which are much easier to find than reformer sessions. Even gyms without full Pilates studios often offer mat classes, usually at no additional fee for members.
Many Pilates experts recommend mat classes as the best bet for beginners. Average students typically add reformer work after three months of once-a-week mat classes.
The benefits of Pilates are worth it! Besides looking younger, taller and more fit, you will experience an ease of movement and being-in your body which is hard to describe. Your low back pain will be gone, you’ll regain flexibility,you will have more energy and a feeling of relaxation and confidence. Pilates is the fountain of youth, so start slow, keep at it and communicate with your teacher for the best experience!
