What is "Pilates"?

What is "Pilates"?

John Spencer Ellis (Author, TV Show Host, Trainer and CEO, National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association) gives expert video advice on: What is the most common fitness mistake?; What is the difference between fitness and physical activity?; Why is exercise so important? and more...

Pilates is a form of exercise, originally developed by Joseph H. Pilates many, many years ago. It was because of his illness as a boy that he wanted to gain wellness for himself. He did a lot of research and developed these series of movements and apparatuses that are now used in the pilates method. There is traditional pilates, and then there's a more integrated approach to pilates as well, where they are using it for therapy; pre- and post-natal, rehabilitation, and so forth.The benefits of pilates are really wide ranging. The focus is on the core, the midsection of your body: the abdomen, the low back, the spinal stabilizer muscles, and even the pelvic floor. Once you learn to stabilize that, all the other movements that you do in the pilates class, and throughout life, become easier. The benefits are a decrease in back pain, increased sports performance, to some degree weight loss, and just an overall better sense of wellbeing.