Would you like to get strong, supple, lean, and feeling fit? And would you like to take care of all that without having to combine many different types of workouts to make that happen? Well, then, let me introduce you to Pilates!

Joseph H. Pilates was a very interesting gentleman with imagination and drive. He discovered quite by accident, that the use of springs as a form of resistance provided not only resistance to generate strength and endurance of muscle groups, but because of the wobble springs give off when lengthened and shortened, one’s core stability and balance could be enhanced as well. Talk about a winwin. Armed with this knowledge and enthusiasm, Pilates went on to create a diverse group of equipment originally intended for physical rehabilitation. When Pilates’ method of movement, originally called “Controlology” gained popularity, he went back to the “drawing board” to reimagine all the exercises done on each of his different pieces of equipment. He developed movement that resembled the equipment exercises, but could be done without any equipment, and could be done anywhere. Viola!, Mat Pilates classes were born.

Since the time Pilates opened his first studio upon arriving in New York from Germany in the 1920s, to the present day, “Controlology” has simply become “Pilates” and has moved from its original intention as physical rehabilitation and therapy to mainstream fitness accessible to anyone of any fitness ability. Pilates finds itself at home in physical therapy settings, dance studios, gyms, boutique spaces, and in the home. There are now days so many variations on Joseph Pilates’ original teaching that any student will find an Instructor that teaches in a method suitable to them and their fitness goals. Some new schools of training have improved upon Joseph’s protocols, and some…not so much. Just as Yoga has evolved and branched out on many different fronts, so has Pilates, and I imagine this trend will continue.

In my opinion, the main point of Pilates is to increase core stability while enhancing spine suppleness and enhancing range of motion, or good old flexibility. Mr. Pilates was an observer of movement. He took concepts from Yoga, Ballet, Martial Arts, and Physical Rehabilitation and keenly observed postural imbalances and inefficiencies of everyday activities. He build a legacy of healthier, more fit, and happier bodies for those who choose to take up his practice.

Pilates referred to the “Powerhouse”, or what we now call the “Core”. The core however, is not just one’s “abs”. Think of the core as including your neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, and pelvis. Also think of your core in a 3-D manner, encompassing all if this structure, front, back, and sides. Now, imagine your spine moving within that structure, bending frontward, backward, side to side, and rotating. Mr. Pilates insisted that these four spinal movements be incorporated into each Pilates class taught. Finally, think of this Powerhouse, in particular the pelvis, stabilizing your movement so your balance becomes enhanced, and your limbs become looser and able to move more freely…good old flexibility. Now you are really moving.

I have had people tell me that Pilates “…looks too easy…”, or, “That’s not a workout.”. From the outside looking in, I can understand that point of view. However, I feel that one or two Pilates sessions will quell those thoughts. Strength (the ability to move heavier loads) and power (a combination of strength and speed) plus endurance (a muscle group’s ability to repeat a movement many times) is greatly enabled due to the loading or unloading of the springs found on most Pilates equipment, or by the use of props or body positioning in Mat classes. If you may be wondering if you could work up a sweat in a Pilates session, indeed you can!

As mentioned above, there are several pieces of equipment originally designed by Mr. Pilates before he invented Mat workouts. There is the Stability Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Arc Barrel, Ped-a-Pull, Cadillac, and probably the most popular piece, the Reformer with or without a Tower attachment. The Reformer was Pilates’ first design and is probably the most versatile. The Reformer can be an accessible and fun introduction to Pilates study, and the piece can be adapted to the user, not the other way around. The machine will allow one to be challenged but also give a sense of accomplishment and pride in a workout well done. If a jumpboard is added to a Reformer, suddenly, an amazing cardio workout is available, and can be pretty darn intense! If ever there was a “total gym”, it is the Reformer.

If I have piqued your curiosity, I suggest that there are several YouTube videos on the internet for you to take a look at and get a sense of Pilates workouts on various pieces of equipment, or Mat class formats. It is also fun to look up the story of Joseph Pilates, his life, and his contributions to the health and well-being of so many people. As the daylight hours become shorter in our Minnesota winters, and the weather gets colder moving us inside, I hope you may consider Pilates as a form of physical fitness. You may discover that a by-product of a fit body is a fit and healthy mind and soul to boot.