Pilates
What Is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise system designed to condition the whole body with emphasis on the core muscles of the abdominals, back and hips. Whether you are just beginning to exercise or are an elite athlete, Pilates can provide you with a uniquely challenging workout.
You can choose between Mat Pilates (a FREE group fitness class for NIFS members) or Pilates Reformer (NIFS offers group, duet and individual class options at additional cost).
Pilates Benefits
Through understanding your breathing patterns and becoming mentally focused, you will learn to engage your core muscles to increase your strength, range of motion and flexibility. The Pilates difference is that while you may be somewhat challenged during the workout, you will leave with a relaxed, invigorated feeling that will result in the development of a conditioned and well-defined body.
In Summary, Benefits Include:
- Longer, leaner muscles
- Relief from back pain and stress
- Core strength and stability
- Improved balance and coordination
- Prevention of injury
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Effective post-rehabilitation
- Heightened mind-body awareness
- Increased self-confidence
Who Should Do Pilates?
Anyone! Regardless of your age, gender, goals or fitness level, you will discover that Pilates transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs. It teaches mental and physical balance to the elite athlete, the recovering back surgery patient, or those in physical therapy rehabilitation. Pilates can be done either on a mat or on specially designed equipment.
Pilates Reformer
The Reformer is the equipment of Pilates. Experience a challenging, shaping workout with equipment that lets you perform a variety of exercises to effectively tone your entire body.
You can add resistance for the ultimate workout, whether you are a beginner or seasoned athlete.
Pilates Origination
This unique method of was created by Joseph Pilates more than 30 years ago. Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph was a man of diverse interests and accomplishments, including gymnastics, diving, skiing and boxing.
Pilates was a frail, weak child. His desire to strengthen his own body led him to create his program of body conditioning. He had no formal training in medicine, but during World War I, while working as a nurse, he came up with the idea of attaching springs to hospital beds to assist patients in becoming stronger while confined to their beds. This led to the creation of an apparatus he called the "Universal Reformer," along with mat exercises which he would eventually bring to the United States in the late 20s.
Pilates felt strongly about focusing on the body as a whole, not dividing it into separate parts. He believed that with fewer, more precise, more concentrated movements (Quality vs. Quantity), a series of specific exercises would elongate and balance the muscles and turn the abdominal muscles, lower back and hips into the body's "power-house." Because the focus is on doing the movements with correct posture, most workouts are supervised by a Pilates instructor.
The Reformer Equipment
This apparatus has a sliding carriage within a rectangular, bed-like frame. Springs provide varying resistance to the carriage, depending upon how many areattached. Straps at the end accommodate the arms or legs.
The Popularity of Pilates
Today there are more than 200 studios and twice as many Pilates instructors in the United States alone. Entertainment professionals have discovered the body-shaping rewards of Pilates. Actors such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Denise Richards, Julia Roberts, Madonna, Faith Hill, Vanessa Williams, Meg Ryan, Jennifer Aniston, Glenn Close, Jane Seymour, Jasmine Guy, Jessica Lange, Lou Gossett, Jr., Gregory Peck, Bill Murray and others have all benefited from the Pilates method.
Athletes like Tiger Woods, Kristi Yamaguchi, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, diver Wendy Williams, 2000 Olympic Gold medalist swimmer Jenny Thompson, members of the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals and the University of Oklahoma Collegiate Wrestling Team have all employed Pilates for rehabilitation and cross training.
The Martha Graham Company, The NewYork City Ballet, The San Francisco Ballet and The Houston Ballet are but a few dance companies that use the Pilates method to strengthen their dancers from corps to soloists.
In the media, Joseph H. Pilates and his unique approach to body conditioning have been talked about in Elle, Allure, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, Fitness Magazine and Dance Magazine. The flurry of recent
interest vindicates Joseph H. Pilates, who himself believed that he was ahead of his time. This state-of-the-art fitness strategy is an ideal complement to a cardiovascular program such as walking, running, cycling, and kickboxing.
Contact Us!
To sign up for a private or duet session, call Diane Miller, group fitness and program coordinator, at 274.3432 ext. 264 or email. To register for group reformer classes, stop by the service desk or call 274.3432 ext. 216. Check our Pilates schedule to find a mat Pilates class that works for you