Balanced Body Pilates recently published an article to their website, www.pilates.com written by Ken Endleman, CEO and founder of Balanced Body Pilates outlining concerns of growing obesity rates in children in the US. The article is titled Pilates & Our Children : Fitness for the Future:
“The health of today's children is compromised by a culture of convenience and increasingly sedentary activity. Eating fast food, watching TV and playing video games has become habitual while a nutritious diet and physical activity is on the downslide. (…)
Concerned parents are now looking at exercise programs for their children in an effort to keep them fit and set them up for a lifetime of good health. (…)
A rigorous exercise regimen, however, may not be beneficial for young children and could even be harmful. The concern stems from the fact that a young child's developing skeletal frame cannot handle the demanding forms of exercise in more aerobic-oriented or cardiovascular programs. For these children, a safer, healthier, low-impact workout is needed such as Pilates.”
Pilates can also be especially helpful as an addition to a current training routine for student athletes in any sport - baseball, football, tennis, lacross, track and field, cycling, golf, wrestling, basketball and gymnastics, among many others. The argument that Pilates is for girls is almost not worth bringing up anymore. Take a moment (or have your teenage son take a moment) to search through recent media publications for prominent male athletes who utilize Pilates in their training routines and you'll see just how common it is.
Now, on the other end of the age spectrum, I cannot tell you how often I hear the excuse that someone is “too old” to start something like Pilates or Yoga. This is among the more frustrating excuses I hear, as it arguably becomes exponentially more important for older adults to stay active and maintain the basic range of motion that Pilates and Yoga exercises emphasize.
Now, on the other end of the age spectrum, I cannot tell you how often I hear the excuse that someone is “too old” to start something like Pilates or Yoga. This is among the more frustrating excuses I hear, as it arguably becomes exponentially more important for older adults to stay active and maintain the basic range of motion that Pilates and Yoga exercises emphasize.
In another article featured on the Balanced Body website, Ken Endelman elaborates on the undeniable benefits Pilates can hold for older adults. Whether it’s for balance, coordination, posture, surgical rehab, or just to keep them moving, there is scarcely an argument against it. Here is an excerpt from the article: Pilates and Older Adults: A Gentler, Effective Way to Stay Fit:
"Pilates for older adults, particularly on a Reformer (resistance-based equipment with springs and ropes connected to a sliding padded carriage) is wonderful because it is a relatively light resistance as opposed to some gym equipment, where even the lightest weight on the rack might be too much for them," says Beth Williams, a physical therapist at Dynamic Movement in Reno, Nevada.
Increased control and stability is crucial for older adults as it can help them improve much of their functional movement, including balance and posture. "As people get older, they can lose some of their balance and coordination. Pilates increases strength and flexibility in both the core and the legs, which positively affects balance. This, along with basic fitness benefits, can help them reduce the risk of falls," says Herman. "And Pilates is also a good way for older adults to rehab from surgical procedures like a hip replacement or knee surgery."
Here are two photographs of Joseph Pilates himself. As you can see marked on the photo, on the left he is 57 years old, and on the right he is 82 years old.
If you or someone you know is looking for a specialized Pilates regimen, please contact the studio today. Initial consultations are free of charge and obligation.
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