Pilates is more than an exercise or fitness program. Pilates is a way to lengthen and strengthen muscles and to condition the body with a specific set of exercises. Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates over 40 years ago and has been one of the most popular forms of exercise in the United States. Pilates focuses on the “mind-body” connection and strengthening the muscles of the body’s core (abdominal muscles).

Pilates exercises are designed to help a person achieve flexibility and strength. A Pilates exercise program will not necessarily help someone achieve a flat stomach and bulging biceps. Pilates can provide the means to become stronger, more flexible and healthier. As you become more fit, you will lose weight and your stomach will become flatter as you burn fat. Body awareness and flexibility are the key concepts of a Pilates workout.

Pilates teaches people how to stretch their muscles and to achieve balance and symmetry. The program focuses on total body workout instead of isolating specific muscle groups. Breathing and stretching are central to Pilates, and the program has helped many people become more fit through “functional training.” Functional training is a method of teaching the body to function stronger and more efficiently in everyday activities. Movements that mimic activities, such as standing up, climbing stairs, sitting down and reaching, can lengthen and strengthen the muscles used for those activities. Unlike weight lifting that focuses on increasing muscle size and strength of a particular muscle group, Pilates involves the whole body in functional exercise and conditioning. The result of Pilates conditioning is greater balance, flexibility and endurance in everyday life.

The Pilates method involves concentration, control, balance, precision of movement, flow of movement and breathing. Pilates instructors help their clients to focus on the movement and their own bodies. Instructors teach clients that the mind controls the body. The exercises are designed to increase body awareness and balance. The whole body is involved in the fitness exercises and in the concentration of effort. Exercises flow smoothly from one to another. Each exercise is performed in a specific sequence that is similar to dancing. There is no break in the movement except for a brief period of breathing and rest. With practice, the movements become fluid and flow. Great attention to detail of body position is important to the Pilates fitness workout. Proper breathing techniques are critical to the Pilates program, and many different breathing techniques are used for different exercises.