What Is Pilates?
(Back To Top) Pilates is an exercise method focused on core stability and full body balance. Joseph Pilates 1880-1967 is the founder, he first started using his method of exercise in world war I as a type of physical therapy for the injured soldier. Today Pilates is widely used by the elderly for balance and increased body awareness, by the average individual for a whole body stretching and strengthening workout, and by the advanced athlete to fine tune their skills and increase their range of control.
Pilates (pronounced pul-LAH-teez) is a popular exercise regimen that uses special stretches and machines. As a quick browse through our Pilates category confirms, it’s a big industry: books, exercise classes, equipment sales, etc. It’s also quite popular with rich and famous folks like Minnie Driver, Madonna, and Julia Roberts. Pilates is named after it’s creator, Joseph H. Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1880. As a German intern in England during World War I, he designed a number of ingenious exercise machines using old hospital beds and springs. In 1926, he moved to New York with his wife and opened his own body conditioning studio. Emphasizing flexibility an
Pilates is a yoga based exercise technique which has been around for 70 years. Joseph Pilates pioneered this technique by combining the best of eastern and western exercise. The method focueses on strengthening, stretching, and proper alignment while exercising. The results are more energy, greater range of motion and overall greater strength throughout your entire body. Classes can include floor exercises (called Mat Class) and Equipment exercises (there are about 9 standard pieces of equipment that Pilates invented for his clients use). There are over 500 exercises to learn betwenn the mat and Equipment. Classes at the Fitness Factory will include Mat, as well as classes on the Reformer (the most widely used Equipment).
Developed by former professional dancer Moira Merrithew, with input from sports medicine professionals, STOTT PILATES is a contemporary, anatomically-based approach to Joseph Pilates’ original exercise method. Its exercises safely deliver optimal strength, flexibility and endurance, without adding bulk. This stress-relieving method can be performed on a mat or using dedicated STOTT PILATES EQUIPMENT.
