Pilates is a very effective form of exercise that focuses on working the entire body as a whole creating long, lean, and strong muscles instead of short and bulky muscles.

 

 

We do not use dumbbells in Pilates.  Instead we use machines that are resisted by springs.  This spring system allows us to work the body in very functional and different movement patterns that mimic those that you would use throughout your day, allowing your body to be strong in all areas not just large muscle groups.
  Dumbbells are great for developing strong muscles, but with limited movements .  The same movements are done at the gym over and over making the muscles bulk up.  The large muscles themselves are strong, but not necessarily the smaller muscles that help stabilize them.  Weight lifters may look strong because of their bulky muscles, but often have weak areas of the body caused by imbalances from the strong muscles being so dominant over the smaller ones.
  Pilates exercises are not repetitive movements, but rather exercises that involve multiple muscle groups with fewer repetitions, but much more variety.  Clients have often commented that until Pilates they never found a form of exercise that they could stay committed to long term, but the variation of our exercises made Pilates an easier commitment and healthier lifestyle change for them.

 

 

  Pilates puts great emphasis on stretching and elongating the muscles during exercises.  This not only makes them stronger over time, but it also prevents them from developing into heavy and bulky muscles.  Pilates will help to develop strong and tight muscles that will make you look strong, but without giving the appearance of being heavy and overdeveloped.

 

 

Absolutely!  Too often we find postural muscles to be weak and underdeveloped.  Pilates exercises are specific to proper posture and alignment during exercise, and teaches the client how to maintain this proper form even when outside of Pilates class.  Clients often say that they feel taller, stronger, and more aligned after just one session!

 

 

All Pilates exercise are initiated from the core which includes the deep abdominal muscles.  The abdominals are worked often and efficiently during Pilates sessions.

 

 

Pilates can often times help with back pain because we focus on proper body alignment and form to help strengthen the back muscles and those surrounding muscles that provide support.  Pilates not only teaches proper posture, but proper movement patterns as well to help prevent some triggers of back pain.