Pilates is a system of physical and mental conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. It focuses on core strength, muscle control, and mind-body awareness through controlled movements and breathing. Pilates can be practiced on a mat or with specialized equipment like the reformer, aiming to improve posture, flexibility, and overall fitness.
Who Does Pilates?
People from all walks of life worldwide do Pilates exercises on a regular basis. While Pilates has the reputation for being for women, it was designed initially by a man for men before being applied to all genders and age groups.
Many famous athletes practice Pilates on a daily basis to increase or maintain their high level performances. Famous golfers, skiers, dancers, football players, and Olympic athletes in all disciplines are known to be Pilates enthusiasts!
But wait thats probably not me! What about the common person?
Countless non-professional athletes do Pilates as well as normal people. The afternoon golfer who wants to surpass their work friends. The gardener, who has back pain after being bent over weeding. The office worker, who has sciatica or back & neck pain from sitting at a desk all day. The chronic pain sufferer or person living with a health condition.
Who can do Pilates?
Everyone can and honestly should do Pilates! Assuming someone is capable of following safety guidelines and is not in a state where they have been told by a doctor not to do any exercise, they can do Pilates!
Some of our best clients have been teenagers trying to improve at high school sports. We also have clients who live in nursing homes who do Pilates on a regular basis.
You do not have to be in good shape or have a good fitness level to do Pilates either! Many of our clients come to us in a poor fitness state unable to do their normal activities and after several sessions most are able to restart them!
Post-Physical Therapy clients are extremely common as well. Many PT’s will advise clients to start Pilates alongside the PT exercise!