Pilates was of course created by a man, Joseph Pilates.
The surge in popularity in recent times may be driven by women, but it should be remembered that Joe Pilates’ original programmes were developed with men’s health in mind, and designed to help men overcome conditions, strains and stresses that occur as a result of the daily routine of life or Activities of Daily Living (ADL). In other words, how one walks, sits, carries a case or weight, walks a dog, swings a golf club or tennis racket, kicks a ball, runs, jumps, climbs, rests, etc.
Joe Pilates wanted to achieve flexibility and strength through core conditioning (strengthening the muscles of the abdominals and torso) and balanced muscle development and co-ordination throughout the body.
In looking at how people approach physical activity, while this can apply to anyone, consider a traditional scenario where a boy takes up a sport or training from an early age and develops poor training practices. By not developing core strength or correct exercise habits, over time a weak core, postural dysfunctions and destructive workout routines will result. The symptoms of these will become manifest in the form of joint and muscle pain and inflexibility, particularly of hamstrings (ouch!).
Later, poor work practices in terms of handling goods, sitting at a desk or driving a vehicle will result in similar problems.
When we take up an exercise routine we generally have a number of specific goals in mind: Get fit; lose weight; reduce stress; improve sleep; improve muscle tone, increase stamina, etc.
Traditional routes men choose to achieve these goals have been to join a gym, run, swim, etc, whereas women, in addition to trying the above, tend to be more open to pilates, yoga or similar programmes.
In my experience at the Studio, men who make enquiries about Bodyfirm Pilates’ programmes are usually looking to recover from an injury or overcome a back or neck strain. Occasionally, they might be looking to improve sporting performance; enhance flexibility or prevent possible future injury. And the approach is usually made as a result of a recommendation from someone who has benefited from pilates.
The important point of note here is that the initial reason for taking up pilates was goal specific. Joe Pilates’ original reasoning in developing pilates was to devise an integrated range of movements to condition the body as a whole, improving overall body strength and flexibility, and reducing the risk of long-term injury.
Incidentally, it should be remembered that Joe Pilates was still taking pilates classes in his 80s.
An injury or strain to the body can on many occasions be attributed to the body not working as an integrated unit and the damaged area on one occasion too many having to overcompensate because the body is not being worked as it should be.
So, a person consulting us with a specific goal such as injury recovery in mind, in most cases can definitely expect to see improvements very quickly. However, by introducing a short integrated pilates workout into their daily routine they will not only tackle their core problem but also improve their overall body health by increasing body strength, flexibility, balance, stability and breathing and reduce their risk of future injuries.
Specifc activities
Physiologically, for example, anyone – male or female – who plays, golf, football, rugby, tennis, cycling, tennis or runs, to name a few activities, could radically improve their game by regularly practising a pilates core-based workout with an emphasis on shoulder and pelvic girdle stabilisation from the strong platform of an integrated LPHC (lumbar pelvic hip complex).
Once you have developed a proper routine with a qualified and competent pilates instructor, all you need is a mat to practise on. Indeed, I have designed a number of programmes that can be practised while sitting at a desk.
So who should consider taking up pilates?
- If the answer is ‘YES’ to any of the following questions you could benefit immensely by introducing a short pilates workout into your daily routine.
- Do you work in an office, sitting for extended periods of time (Manager, computer programmer, web designer, bank clerk)?
- Does your job involve repetitive movements (line worker, construction worker, baker, painter)?
- Do you work overhead (plasterer, electrician, mechanic)?
- Is driving a regular part of your daily routine? (taxi driver, truck driver, company rep)?
- Do you regularly take part in football, hurling, soccer, rugby, golf or running events?
- Do you regularly attend a gym?
- Do you have any recurring injuries such as back or neck strains, ankle, knee or hip aches, shoulder, elbow or wrist strains?
Pilates4Men – Smarter not Harder Pilates
If you are a man and fancy a smarter rather than harder workout that will leave you energised rather than drained, give us a call at Bodyfirm Pilates and discover what Pilates4Men can do for you.
Joyce
“A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion” – Joseph Pilates
