What is Pilates?
If we could show you how you could transform your body in such a way that you’ll look years younger, have longer, leaner muscles without bulk, and feel better and stronger than you’ve felt in years, would you be interested? Although the fitness industry would have you believe that Pilates is a “new” craze, celebrities, dancers and athletes have been using Pilates to stay in shape for years. They discovered not only the aesthetic benefits of Pilates training, (long, lean, defined muscles), but the ability of Pilates to increase core and muscular connection. Core strength alone is attributed to the prevention of injury while performing or doing sports. There is absolutely no other fitness routine that can accomplish this.
Joseph Pilates, who created this exercise system was before his time. His method of “contrology” emphasized total body exercises, created from connecting to the core, to increase muscular strength, efficiency and postural alignment. He knew that our bodies have a miraculous way of adapting and accommodating; unfortunately over time, some of these adaptations can compromise our long term function.
That is why, as we age, we may develop musculo-skeletal problems and other issues from these imbalances that can compromise our health and functionality. Pilates focuses on building a healthy, injury-free body by encouraging controlled and concentrated movement. It centers the body with breathing awareness while maintaining dynamic stabilization. The end result is a stronger, leaner, taller looking body that is ready to do the things we want to do as we age. It truly is the fountain of youth!
How do I get started?
At Pilates 1901 we require all new clients who want to do Pilates equipment training to either do 6 private Introductory Pilates Equipment training sessions or our 8 session Small Group Pilates ON RAMP Intro To Reformer Training. These workouts will initiate you to the fundamental movement and breathing principles of Pilates. The goal is for you to experience a wide variety of exercises on the mat and reformer and for you to be familiar with the Pilates vocabulary, both in your mind and your body. If you are doing Private Sessions, we will also assess your posture, personal goals and needs and develop a program designed specifically for you. That way when you choose to enter our group reformer classes, you will see faster results and be able to more thoroughly enjoy your sessions.
As soon as you sign up, we will contact you to set up your first Private session or 29 Minute Pilates On Ramp Class! These first 6 -8 sessions will allow you to understand the value of Pilates, learn the basic principles and make the connections necessary for getting the best results from your visits. We’ll discuss your goals, your schedule and your budget to come up with a membership designed just for you. You’re going to love the transformational results of Pilates training!
Why Do I Need To Do the Introductory Pilates Sessions or PILATES ON RAMP program?
Even if you have taken mat or Reformer classes elsewhere, it is a valuable experience to re-examine your strengths and weaknesses and learn about your body’s alignment in movement. Further, these sessions help get the most out of your Pilates group classes. If you have extensive Pilates experience, we still require you do either the Introductory package or Pilates ON RAMP program. If the instructor feels you are competent enough to go into groups within a session or two, we will shorten your series and credit your account.
What Happens After My Introductory Sessions?
Once you have seen and felt the benefits of Pilates training, you may discuss becoming a Member of Pilates1901. As a Pilates 1901 Member you will receive many perks, including reduced class fees, preferred reservations and open use of the cardio equipment. We have memberships for every price range at Pilates 1901. Click here for information on our class package fees.
What Should I Wear?
It is helpful for our instructors if you wear comfortable yet form-fitting exercise clothes. That way we can make sure you are performing the exercises in the proper alignment. However, we don’t advise you wear loose or “short” shorts as many of the exercises are done with your legs open and elevated. You may exercise in either your bare feet or stocking feet.
How Many Times Per Week Should I Do Pilates?
Pilates can be quite effective over time even if you only can do one session a week, but most of our clients come twice a week. However, you can do Pilates every single day. There is no “day on, day off” schedule. So if you are training for a special event or have a flexible schedule, you can do Pilates three, four even five times a week. But we advise that you begin a reasonable program of exercise and stick to it over time. We have membership options for every goal, taste and budget so there is no reason why you can’t enjoy the benefits of attending Pilates 1901 regularly! The Pilates repertoire is not only effective but provides infinite variety, so your body will continue to benefit from the work. Pilates 1901 is constantly changing and innovating to bring you the best in Pilates based cardio, mat and equipment based training.
What is the Difference Between Mat & Reformer Work?
When you work out on the reformer (a piece of equipment designed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s), your movements and the weight of your body are supported by the smooth movement of the machine along the carriage as well as by a system of straps for the arms and legs. This means some exercises may be aided by the equipment while others may be made more challenging- it just depends on the goal. Equipment training allows ultimate variety in exercise selection and results.
When you do Pilates on the mat, you must support your body weight through the movements, which may make the work more difficult. However, the mat work is a great way to make sure you really understand your body and the principles of Pilates. We recommend a combination of both mat and equipment training to optimize your results.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
Joseph Pilates said that “you’ll feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 and have a whole new body in 30 sessions.” Most of our clients have found this to be true and many start seeing results right away. Perhaps more important, our clients feel better almost instantly which keeps them coming back for more. Pilates helps to relieve chronic back pain, knee and joint pain.
What is the Difference Between Pilates and Weight Training?
The difference is that you strengthen AND stretch various muscles during Pilates exercises. For instance, you may be doing an exercise for the back, lying on the stomach pulling the ropes down and back. But that’s not all that’s going on. You must point the toes and stretch the knees to elongate the leg muscles, tighten the glutes, which firms the buttocks, and lift the upper body, which strengthens the lower back. As you reach forward between repetitions, you stretch the back and shoulders. Or you may be kneeling facing forward to perform an exercise similar to a chest fly. Because you are kneeling, you must contract the abdominals, glutes and quadriceps for stabilization. You have a greater range of motion on the return than you would on a chest butterfly machine, which increases chest and shoulder flexibility.
The bottom line is Pilates typically incorporates more muscles utilized in one exercise in comparison to a weight training machine. Further, Pilates creates better functional movement and performance than weight training because of the coordinated exercises and concentration on the core muscles.
What If I Am Overweight?
Pilates is a wonderful program for those who are starting or already engaged in a weight loss program. You will learn to activate and move your body safely utilizing your muscles rather than your joints and will be better able to engage in other physical fitness activities. And Pilates 1901 works to create a warm and welcoming environment that can be far less intimidating than some gyms. In fact, our T School program has helped hundreds of people reach the fat loss goals they had all but given up on. Check out a few success stories.
Do Men Benefit From Pilates?
Remember: Pilates was created by a man and was later adapted for women! Men generally have less flexibility and a greater degree of upper body strength than women so Pilates helps to create longer, more agile muscles as well as to counter-strengthen in the core and lower body. At Pilates, 1901 our male clientele is fast growing. From CEO’s and semi-professional athletes to men recovering from injuries or punishing exercise habits, Pilates helps both men and women retrain and re-strengthen the body for optimum performance. According to USA Today, male athletes are using Pilates to increase performance. Click here to read more.
Why Come to A Pilates Studio?
Pilates is the fastest growing segment of the fitness industry. And that means that there are a lot of new teachers working in the field, some of them having received only a few hours of training. At a Pilates studio, you can be sure that the focus is on Pilates and the quality of instruction.
If you are taking Pilates where the instruction is more about counting out repetitions than explaining what you should be feeling in your body and how you can help engage specific muscles, then you aren’t receiving good instruction in Pilates. If you are doing more than 10-12 repetitions of any one exercise, you are most likely not doing Pilates but rather some altered form of it. If you are not concentrating on your breathing, you are not doing Pilates. If you are not focusing on the quality of your movements, you are not doing Pilates. This is not to say you can’t benefit from the work you are doing; it just isn’t Pilates.
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