The Basics of a Pilates Body Training Program

A Pilates body training program is a physical fitness regimen that conditions the physical as well as mental components of an individual.  Through deliberate physical actions the end result of a Pilates body routine is the strengthening of muscles as well as increasing the suppleness of the ligaments and tendons.  Because of the limbering and strengthening results, the Pilates body training program has been a favorite with the dancers and gymnasts.

To understand the value of a Pilates body training program it might be of interest to know about its history and the basics of getting started.

History of Pilates

German born Joseph H. Pilates is the founder of the Pilates body training program. He was plagued with asthma as a child and this condition left him in a weakened state.  In an effort to build up the strength of his body, Pilates took up various sports and eventually became an avid sports enthusiast and participant.  As fate would have it his career path took him into the medical field where he practiced as a nurse in England during World War I.

As men returned from the battle front, Pilates, through his developed exercise routines and equipment, instituted these methods to effectively help those patients who were immobilized because of injuries they had sustained.  These exercises were a combination of yoga and martial arts that utilized the powerful connection between the body and mind.

The Basics of Pilates

There are two schools of thinking when it comes to Pilates body training.  Those two methods are the use of an exercise mat and the proper training.  The other school of thought is the use of the Pilates body principles coupled with the use of exercising accessories. 

In either case resistance is provided.  The method that that uses the exercise mat and proper training utilizes the weight of the exerciser’s body to provide the resistance that is needed.  In the case of the exercise equipment the resistance is provided by the accessories.

The benefits of Pilates body training can be realized by anyone regardless of their physical condition.  The important thing to remember, however, is that to be beneficial and to prevent injury, the exercises need to be performed correctly.  This is of great importance when properly using Pilates machines as well as the performance of the various exercise routines.  Therefore, it is important to be trained by a qualified instructor.  This trained instruction can happen via a personal workout, in a group setting conducted by a qualified instructor or through video presentations.

It is also important to remember the original intent of the Pilates body movements were designed to work in concert with the cadence of the breathing.  In addition, it is important to focus on the muscles that are being employed in the various exercise routines.  Again, it is valuable to emphasize that the goal of the Pilates body training program is the union of the physical with the mental in order to diminish the stresses of life.

Other helpful hints, in performing the Pilates body movements, are the encouragement to wear loose fitting clothes as well as conducting the exercises without shoes.  Also when performing the movements it is important to remember that the motions should be smooth yet strong and agile.