Pilates For Men
Pilates is a widespread head-to-toe, mind-and-body workout, but more often than not, it is misidentified as mainly women’s exercise. They say that real men pump iron; they are too macho for girly routines like Pilates. However, the truth may surprise you – Pilates was originally created for men!
Pilates for men is something that you don’t hear everyday. Unfortunate but true, sometimes, especially when you’re in the North America, when you engage in these low-impact, mostly mental exercise –you’ll be tagged as gay. But this doesn’t have to be necessarily true. Try asking most Australian and New Zealander male athletes and rugby league club members and you’ll get a different answer. Pilates for men is a regular part of their fitness program and even have compulsory classes every week to help prevent injuries.
Most men who exercise readily choose strength training by lifting weight. They may be physically strong but their muscles are tensed. For this reason, most men have difficulties in doing the strength and reach test (sitting on the floor straight, with legs stretched out and then gradually reaching their toes in from of them). This is simply because male hamstrings, unlike women’s, are tight and inflexible. The answer – a combination of men and Pilates!
It sculpts the body from the outside towards the inner parts, making tighter areas loosen up and become more agile. Pilates for men trains seven key physical principles such as stability, flexibility, balance, posture, endurance, coordination, and functional strength. Strength training may be crucial, however building longer and leaner muscles through stretching is just as important. It simply makes day-to-day activities function better, not to mention a lot easier on your joints and muscles.
Pilates was designed and founded by a German boxer and gymnast Joseph Pilates. And yes, he’s a man! He suffered from various illnesses on his childhood years. Unlike most of us who let our condition control our body, he was the exact opposite. He wanted to find a way to overcome such illnesses. An exercise routine that not only boost our energy but also our immune system. After several decades before the movements were perfected, Pilates was born. His system of exercise focuses on the development and the training of the core muscles groups – the abdominals, pelvic areas, lower back, and the spine.
These core muscle groups are what he called a man’s powerhouse. He said that your powerhouse in the center of every movement you make – whether if it is swinging a golf club or merely walking in to your local hardware store. It is the concentration on your powerhouse that makes Pilates so unqie as well as effective. Thousands of dancers, athletes, even regular folks of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels have benefited from this routine. In fact what you may not readily know is that famous athletes like Tiger Woods (professional golf player), Jason Kidd (NBA Superstar), and Curt Schilling (MLB Pitcher) have Pilates for men added on their regular training programs.
One of the major draw backs from Pilates is the cost. Many people think that you have to be a member of a fitness center to be able to participate, or perhaps even get personal instructors to begin. However, these are all wrong; everyone who is anyone can be benefited from this amazing workout routine. If the cost is what concerns you, you can simply purchase basic Pilates DVDs for men and do your own workout in the comforts of your own home.
Unlike your regular heart-pounding physical activities, Pilates exercises are easier to do, thus making it perfect for beginners, men and women alike. So men of the world take your places because there is a new exercise waiting just for you – it’s Pilates!