Pilates Articles

FITNESS HANDOUT choosing a pilates instructor Pilates is a mind-body exercise technique that provides many mental and physical benefits. As Joseph Pilates, creator of the method, said, "Pilates develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit." If you are new to Pilates, what are some general guidelines for doing this ...

Putting Some Mind Into the Body Broaden your training menu with mind-body techniques that help clients achieve goals as much by "working in" as by working out. by Lawrence J.M. Biscontini, MA P Personal training is evolving to keep pace with exercise-research revelations and changes in consumer interests. An array of "softer" fitness forms such as yoga, Pilates, t'ai chi, chi kung, Feldenkra...

What type of training creates competent teachers? The Pilates and Yoga Training Debate By Shirley Archer, JD, MA With classes ranging from "Disco Yoga" to "Aquatic Pilates," today's consumers can find some version of yoga or Pilates, whether they live in small, quiet towns or giant urban centers. Participation is expected to increase, owing to consumer appeal and mounting medical evidence that mi...

Pilates Equipment Liability and Safety (Part 1of 2) Such issues merit serious focus and planning as members demand more Pilates-based activities. By Shirley Archer, JD, MA According to the 7th Annual IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey (IDEA Fitness Manager, October 2002) and other industry statistics, Pilates is among the fastest-growing exercise trends in the United States. The Health Club ...

movement By Kevin A. Bowen A Pilates Primer hysical fitness is the first requisite of happiness." Joseph H. Pilates, the founder of what we commonly refer to as "the Pilates Method" or just "Pilates," used to share this belief with his students. In fact if Joseph Pilates had had his way, people all over the world would be practicing his exercise technique, which he originally named "contrology."...

As mind-body exercise goes mainstream, programs catering t...

When Joseph Pilates originally set out to teach his unique exercises to German internees during World War I, little did he know that one day hundreds of fitness professionals would teach his techniques, and infomercials would sell products based on his methods. But as popular as Pilates exercise has become over the last two decades, until now no research has been conducted to scientifically va...

Many group fitness instructors use traditional Pilates exercises in the core-conditioning sections of their classes. However, some of these exercises are too difficult technically and can set the average participant up for frustration. If an individual doesn’t have the strength or the biomechanics to perform the traditional roll-up, for example, then she might use incorrect muscles and injure herself. Yet the roll-up is taught in most classes.

idea fitness managerYou can develop a questionnaire like this one to act as informal market research. Use your members’ responses (with their permission) to post testimonials and other facts to promote your Pilates program. Let us know a little bit about you! Are you: female or male 14-18 19-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-50 51-60 61 or older What types of exercise do you (or have you) participate(d) in? yoga aerobics martial arts dance sports strength training other (please list)