workout - Fitness Uptown Charlotte
So you’ve certainly heard of Pilates by now: that it’s the best workout for your core, it’s in all the magazines, and that it’s a favorite of celebrities. Maybe you’ve even ventured into one class out of curiosity and thought, “WHAT is this?” So let’s clarify!
Pilates (originally called “Contrology”) was developed in the early 1900’s by Joseph Pilates. It is a very specific method of exercises which emphasizes the unity of mind and body. These exercises develop the core stabilizing muscles of the abdomen, meaning every single movement you do initiates from your center. Unfortunately, these days many ab workouts focus primarily on just the outer layer of abdominals – the rectus abdominus. This can actually lead to injury in the body over time. Through Pilates, you will learn how to engage all of your deep abdominal muscles, which is crucial for relieving that low back pain. But the Pilates Method is also considered a universal workout, meaning that although we focus on the core, it is a total body conditioning program for arms, legs, and the back. We work with the body’s natural alignment and structure, therefore, when doing Pilates correctly, you cannot get injured. This insures longevity in the body, plus a pain-free, taller, leaner body with a healthy mind and spirit to boot…and isn’t that the point of exercise?
Although it seems like Pilates has just popped up recently, it has actually been around for over 100 years. Therefore, Pilates is not a trend or a gimmick, but rather a tried and true method that is scientifically proven to WORK. Pilates is not a forceful exercise method. No movement should be performed by grunting, jerking, or tensing the body. This only leads to further tension, which completely negates the point of exercise in the first place. Rather, we work in a fluid motion with breath, which feels incredible on your joints. Pilates is also not a quick fix. It takes time, effort, and focus to notice results – this is the “mind” aspect of the workout. Picture the complete opposite of hopping on the treadmill and watching TV, trying to zone out of your body. However, if you go into your first class with an open mind and open ears, you will walk out feeling taller, stronger and more in tune to your body.
The Pilates Matwork is a very specific way of moving and engaging your muscles. The coordination of the exercises may seem slightly confusing and foreign at first, but with perseverance, they will eventually become like second nature. For just an hour out of your day, you will try to forget everything outside the studio door, and focus 100% on you, your body and your breath. The instructor does not demo the entire class with you – instead, while they instruct the movements, you listen and interpret the cues by listening. This makes you more present in the moment and more aware of your body, rather than simply imitating a movement. This also ensures the instructor the opportunity to walk around and correct form, which is important to understand the Method. Shoes are not required in class; please work in either bare feet or socks. Because the Pilates Method is for everbody, sometimes modifications are needed for those with injuries. If you are new to class, the instructor may introduce themselves, and ask if you have any physical ailments. If so, they may give you simple adjustments to work around your injury.
