What’s the deal with pilates?  Well, besides learning how to say it, (a lot of us go by the common usage that sounds like: peh-la-tees), many are learning to use this set of exercises for health benefits including core strength, balance, dexterity, and more.  Trainers use videos and print materials to reach out to those who are interested in learning about light resistance or fitness training outside of the “gym model”.  

The way pilates works is that it forces the body to do more through a series of held positions and movements.  Lots of different muscles are used in pilates exercises;  it doesn’t just work the obvious limb muscles you would be strengthening through push-ups or pull-ups.  And for a look at why core training is important, just check up on the various fitness articles explaining why it’s not enough to just work your arms and legs with free weights or weight machines.

As a holistic body training tool, pilates is much loved because it is so adaptive.  Pilates trainers can focus on held positions, which require no gear, or what’s sometimes called ‘winsor pilates’ or ‘magic ring pilates’, which uses a plastic flexible circle for a set of isometric exercises that work the body’s muscle sets against each other, providing some of the resistance that is so important in strength training.

Other kinds of related activities use other tools like small air-filled fitness balls to help train the thighs, hips, or other muscle sets, by working the limbs against the ball and creating more specialized, localized resistance.  None of these activities involve struggling with huge or advancing sets of weight, making pilates a good choice for those who for any reason are not ready to train with a lot of weight.  Sure, if you want “maximum strength”, you’ll want to keep training hard on advancing weight sets; but most of us are not bodybuilders and don’t want or need this kind of regimen.  That’s where choices like pilates come in: with just a few simple tools, specifically, a good mat and any isometric or resistance tools you want, a person can get advancement in pilates on their own, or through good training books or videos, to do the kind of training that really complements a cardio routine by toning lots of different muscle groups for the road ahead. 

All of a fitness routine is inter-related: train the core and muscle sets with pilates and you’ll feel more able to adapt to the demands of a cardio training machine, or carry boxes down flights of steps, or climb a 100 foot water tower...you get the picture.  Good health and fitness begins with a holistic program, and pilates can help fill that need, conveniently and with attention to the whole body. 

Take a look at tools that will help you adapt pilates for pinpointing the muscle groups that you want to train, and keep good records to keep track of changes, to get closer to the body and range of motion that you want.