Pilates

PILATES

Fitness Intelligence

Pilates is a central fixture in the fitness routines of professional dancers. It is also core with most elite and pro athletes.

People at the top of almost every sport report using Pilates to peak their performance: Michael Phelps, Kobi Bryant, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, David Beckham…

LeBron James tweets images of himself doing Pilates before the Olympic Games

As a three time NBA – MVP, three time NBA finals MVP and three time Olympic gold medalist, Lebron has learned how to maximize his potential as an athlete.

When it comes to strength and conditioning, elite athletes use Pilates.

Quote: I look for ways to turn every ounce of potential into winning performance. Pilates training… strengthens the core muscles, increases flexibility and helps my guys stay on the field – and off the injured list.

• Garrett Giemont, Conditioning Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year – PFSCCS

Pilates is also used by occupational therapists and physiotherapists as a safe and effective system for rehab. For many though, Pilates is simply a means of assuring physical strength and mobility for an active lifestyle.

The Core of the Matter

Core – the central or most important part of something. Oxford Dictionary

It’s called “core” for a reason and building core strength is the focus of Pilates. Major muscles include: the pelvic floor, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae (sacrospinalis) especially the longissimus thoracis, and the diaphragm. Minor core muscles include: the latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus and trapezius.

The core muscles also support the spine, so if you have back problems, it is often caused by a weak core. Posture issues are also often linked to a weak core.

Conclusion

In the digital age, we have access to a lot of information with a lot of opinions. But when it comes to fitness and peak performance, what actually delivers results?

No matter where you are on the fitness spectrum, consider Pilates as part of an integrated approach if you want to work smarter.

Quote: Often we don’t need a bigger hammer, we need a sharper nail.