I started taking pilates about two years ago as a way to tone and strengthen everything in one quick hour a day. Little did I know what I was in for.
First, a little background on Pilates. According to Pilates.com Joseph Pilates invented the system while he and a few other German nationals were interned in England. He used springs from beds to help injured soldiers strenghten their muscles and as his ideas caught on he developed tools to help his fellow prisoners stay strong and fit. When the flu epidemic killed many people in England, not one of the prisoners died.
Once he moved to the US in the 60's, he and his wife started a fitness studio and from their his system of pilates caught when a ballet instructor started teaching the techniques to ballerinas in the New York Ballet.
So, every Monday morning at 5 am, I subject myself to pilates. The table does look much like something from deep in the dungeons of some sadistic castle. I dreaded the workout, the post workout and the pain I was sure I'd endure after.
After workout #1, well I was very tired, but that good tired that makes you feel energized and ready for the day. That "work out high" that we all like. The next day, well I thought I'd need a traction table. I hurt - I could walk but I won't lie, I hurt. Still, I knew that my body benefitted from the extra push I'd given it.
Now, two years later I've increased pilates to three days a week. I'm amazed at the difference it's made in my strength and endurance. I'm particularly excited to say that it's helped most in those troublesome tummy areas that I've worked on all my life.
So if you are looking for something new to try for a workout I say go to a pilates class. Talk to the instructor so he/she knows it's your first time, but you'll be glad that you tried it.
The best thing about pilates is that it's healthy, natural and uses resistance to help you get strong muscles and build strong bones.
I started taking pilates about two years ago as a way to tone and strengthen everything in one quick hour a day. Little did I know what I was in for.
First, a little background on Pilates. According to Pilates.com Joseph Pilates invented the system while he and a few other German nationals were interned in England. He used springs from beds to help injured soldiers strenghten their muscles and as his ideas caught on he developed tools to help his fellow prisoners stay strong and fit. When the flu epidemic killed many people in England, not one of the prisoners died.
Once he moved to the US in the 60's, he and his wife started a fitness studio and from their his system of pilates caught when a ballet instructor started teaching the techniques to ballerinas in the New York Ballet.
So, every Monday morning at 5 am, I subject myself to pilates. The table does look much like something from deep in the dungeons of some sadistic castle. I dreaded the workout, the post workout and the pain I was sure I'd endure after.
After workout #1, well I was very tired, but that good tired that makes you feel energized and ready for the day. That "work out high" that we all like. The next day, well I thought I'd need a traction table. I hurt - I could walk but I won't lie, I hurt. Still, I knew that my body benefitted from the extra push I'd given it.
Now, two years later I've increased pilates to three days a week. I'm amazed at the difference it's made in my strength and endurance. I'm particularly excited to say that it's helped most in those troublesome tummy areas that I've worked on all my life.
So if you are looking for something new to try for a workout I say go to a pilates class. Talk to the instructor so he/she knows it's your first time, but you'll be glad that you tried it.
The best thing about pilates is that it's healthy, natural and uses resistance to help you get strong muscles and build strong bones.