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An Introduction to Pilates
“Contrology is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind, fully capable of naturally performing our many daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.”
~Joseph H. Pilates
A Balanced Approach
As often happens with true genius, Pilates' body/mind approach to working out was about 50 years ahead of its time, and it has only begun to achieve widespread popularity in the past decade. Contemporary fitness has become a search for the more balanced approach which is what Joseph Pilates originally taught back in the 1940s.
Today, people everywhere are discovering the benefits of the exercises and innovative apparatus designed by Joseph Pilates. Professional athletes and dancers, pre- and post-natal women, senior citizens, weekend warriors, and new exercisers of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels are enjoying his unique method of attaining physical fitness. And with its emphasis on mental focus and concentration, Pilates refreshes the mind as well as the body.
More good news: With the Pilates approach to a balanced body, it isn't necessary to do scores of mindless, repetitive, and exhausting exercises to achieve great results. With Pilates, you're not likely to suffer undue muscle strain, so there's little risk of injury. And the Pilates apparatus presents another big difference from the conventional gym workout. Most gym equipment uses some combination of pulleys, cables, and weights as resistance, with the primary goal of all this pushing and pulling of weights being strength training. However, the Pilates apparatus uses variable-length and gauge springs to simultaneously lengthen and strengthen the muscles, as well as to improve joint flexibility and range of motion.