|
|||||||||||
 |
Staying Fit
What is Pilates?This popular toning and conditioning system dates back to one remarkable manHe was a sickly fellow with asthma and bone disease, but Joseph Pilates wasn’t content to remain that way. In the early years of the 20th century, he designed a group of exercises that transformed him into a paragon of strength and health—and in the process, launched a fitness phenomenon.The Pilates exercise system (pronounced pull-AH-teez) was embraced first by athletes and dancers. Recently, it’s made its way into the mainstream, and today is a highly popular offering of Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Healthy You programs. “We were hesitant to jump on the bandwagon with what might be a fad,” says Connie Fehr, Healthy You exercise specialist. “We checked it out thoroughly and developed what we call Pilates Express. It’s designed to build core body strength, and involves using a variety of muscles for a maximal workout in a minimal amount of time.” Pilates exercises are done on mats on the floor. The emphasis is on slow, controlled movements rather than speed. And in this system, more is not better. “Joseph Pilates didn’t believe in doing lots of repetitions,” Fehr says. “He suspected that that just contributed to lactic acid buildup. The point is to do each move with good form, using multiple muscles.” Certified instructors play a special role in Pilates classes, she adds. “The teacher helps you attain results by telling you which muscles to engage when, and coaching you on breathing through each exercise.” Pilates is similar to yoga in its strong emphasis on breath. “People hold their breath instinctively when they’re lifting weights or doing other kinds of exercise, in an attempt to stabilize and tighten their muscles,” Fehr says. “But this interferes with the oxygen supply to the muscles. You always keep breathing in a Pilates workout.” As in yoga, this focus on breathing de-stresses both mind and body. One reason Pilates may be so popular today is the current focus on core body strength. “Pilates is a perfect choice in this area,” Fehr says. “In the past, core-body programs have emphasized abdominal strength, and people got strong in the abs but weak in the back and side of the body. In Pilates, you work to strengthen all the muscles simultaneously, including the entire midsection (called the ‘powerhouse’).” The result: Pilates improves posture, balance and flexi- bility, realigns the spine and improves muscle tone. Many exercisers develop longer, leaner muscles. “Toning so often means shortening or contracting muscles, but in Pilates you’re working to strengthen and lengthen them,” Fehr says. “I carry myself more upright as a result of doing Pilates.” Pilates won’t meet all your exercise needs. “It’s not an aerobic workout, so you still need to run, walk, cycle, swim or whatever form of aerobics you choose,” Fehr says. “Most of the people in our pilates class also take a class with a cardiovascular (aerobic) component.”
Want to Know More? For complete step-by-step instructions for several Pilates exercises,
call 610-402-CARE. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
ARTICLE TOOLS:
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
||||||
