Wow, I cannot believe it’s already the final ABC Pilates newsletter of 2016! As I think back on the year we’ve had here at the studio, I’m just so filled with gratitude toward all our clients, old and new. If you joined us for our annual Client Appreciation Party a few weeks ago, you probably noticed just like I did how unique our little Pilates studio is. Since ABC Pilates first opened its doors, the goal has always been to provide a friendly, non-competitive place for people of all fitness levels to achieve the amazing benefits of practicing Pilates. We didn’t want to be just another place to workout; we wanted it to be a welcoming place, a community of people coming together to support one another. Seeing all of you at the Client Appreciation Party is a yearly reminder that we would not be what we are today without our extraordinary clients.
Category: Pilates
The Men of Pilates
Ladies AND gentlemen…
It’s no secret that Pilates classes are often dominated by women, with a few men here and there. But, guys, why is that? Do you think Pilates is just an easy stretchfest that couldn’t possibly work out your big, manly muscles? Well, I respond to that with a dare: I dare you to come to ABC Pilates and try a class, and you tell me if you still feel the same way once that hour is up.
Pilates is a hard workout, but it’s not painful. It’s low impact, but it’s not low difficulty. If you have knee or back issues from your high school/collegiate-athlete glory days, Pilates is a great workout to keep you feeling fit and strong without aggravating those old injuries. Seriously guys, why do you think so many professional football players, soccer players, and many other athletes practice Pilates?
Whether you’re a gym rat or an out-of-shape couch potato, trust me guys, you can benefit greatly from a Pilates practice. The truth is that Pilates was created by a man (Joseph Pilates) for men. The benefits, such as increased flexibility, strengthening of deep muscles, etc.—were acknowledged way back then in the 1920’s, and they’re just as true to this day.
Is Your Workout Worth It?
As the studio manager of ABC Pilates, I find that getting my workouts in here at the studio can be quite challenging between teaching, answering phone calls, scheduling clients, etc. So, confession time (deep breath): I went somewhere else to get my workouts in. I know, I KNOW! Just hear me out to the end.
Try This: Chest Expansion
Clients are always asking me, “Does Pilates really make you taller?” My response: “ABSOLUTELY!” But, how?
Exercises such as Chest Expansion are the answer. We spend most days hunched over sitting at a computer, browsing on our smartphones, driving and watching television. Couple this with good old gravity, and the result is chronically poor posture and what I refer to as “Little Old Lady Syndrome,” when your body actually begins to shrink! Chest expansion can help reverse these effects and allow us to stand tall again.
Embracing the Old and the New
Occasionally I will receive a phone call from someone looking specifically for a studio that teaches the “Classical Pilates Method.” When practicing Classical Pilates, you only perform the actual exercises created by Joseph Pilates himself; you do them in a specific order and with his intention.
My response to calls like that is usually something along the lines of, yes! We do teach Classical Pilates exercises! However, here at ABC Pilates we also add in modern modalities to create unique workouts that are timeless yet also exciting and ever-challenging.