Pilates has conquered fitness area as one of the most popularkind of exercise.
But a lot of trainees, mostly men, insist that Pilates is “for women only”. The result of this point of view is that men lack the considerable benefits of a method, which was first introduced by a man, Joseph Humbertus Pilates. On the other hand Pilates method was training for men in the beginning and not for women, according to Kathy Grant, who was a student and successor of Joseph Pilates.
Joseph Pilates formed his “Contrology” , in order to improve his own posture and health at first, then the health of his fellow soldiers and prisoners. Also, most of the students were men at the first lessons . Over the years Pilates movements gained dance precision and harmony because of it’s relation with the dance and the entry of women in class. The masculine and athletic character of its dynamics was limited . Pilates, however, never stopped to be a very important way of exercise, rehabilitation and strength training , which are the same for men and women.
According to Rael Isacowitz, who is a well-known teacher and trainer, there is a feminine and a masculine energy in execution, at which we must honor and respect. The differences are identified in the needs and motivation, in the anatomical approach of exercise and in how socially a male or a female “point of view” has been established. For example, men enjoy an exercise in a different way than women. Men are more practical when they try to reach their goals. Goals are connected with their functionality. Men do not train in order to be exercised and they accept challenges which have sports-racing character. The whole thing is different for women. The semantics of this separation divides exercises into more or less masculine ones. Leg exercises or Buttocks exercises on the mat do not have the same acceptance as Shoulders and Biceps exercises.
We understand that the same anatomical chart is activated in the same muscle groups in both sexes by a different intensity and priority.
We can conclude about Pilates method that women have given a refinement to this system and… men have given a pulse and a power.
Men founded the Pilates method and women spread it.
Why Pilates 4 Men
Because… it meets the expectations of a man for strength training, wellness, prevention and recovery both of them with immediate effect. Specifically:
a) It strengthens the core (Core Strength) .Men often emphasize on muscular development, particularly by exercising using weights (without paying attention on basic strength training).
Pilates training focuses on moving from the center (Powerhouse), from the deep muscles, on stabilizing the body and on aligning men’s back (usually overworked from weight training). A typical example of challenge could be a practice of footwork exercises on Reformer with low resistance by a man with too-trained quadriceps. The low resistance requires activation of the center with less involvement of bloated thighs.
b) Pilates is a functional training, which ensures a required strength, flexibility and balance in order to cope with daily activities.
c) It strengthens, relieves and rehabilitates parts of the body which are strained because of a sedentary lifestyle, driving and poor sleep.
d) Pilates exercises the uncharted anatomical parts, which are often limited due to an unilateral exercise of only one kind of training (weights, running, etc.).
e) It prevents injuries through muscular strengthening, development of flexibility and proprioception, without being each self dance or physiotherapy.
f) It reinforces other sports, even sports of different character in combination, such as dance and weights. It is also a perfect base for cross training activities.
g) Pilates emphasizes the stretching of the entire muscle system.
h) It gives men the opportunity to improve their breathing and understand lateral breathing.
i) As the men’s muscles are shortened and stiffer in the hips, in the spine, in the back of the legs, etc., Pilates converts weaknesses into advantage.
Amprazis Demosthenes, Pilates & Yoga Instructor, AthensTrainers® Associate
