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The New Pilates ARC from Balanced Body aka “The Abdominal Killer Machine”

The New Pilates ARC from Balanced Body aka “The Abdominal Killer Machine”

At first sight this new toy looks like a high density foam roller that has some nice curves. After taking a class with Nora St John, Program Director for Balanced Body University at the most recent Pilates on Tour in Minneapolis, I love this thing! First of all it is so light (3.75 lbs.) you can pick it up with one hand. That feature is very different from my beautiful wood and upholstered and very heavy spine corrector that resides under my trap table. The price is nice too; $159 for the Pilates ARC vs. $310 for the heavier version. The asymmetrical design with a gentle curve on one side and a steeper curve on the other makes it more comfortable for different body types. The step is detachable therefore making spine extension... Continue ...

The Art of Cueing – Oh, Those Words

The Art of Cueing – Oh, Those Words

Consider the awesome power of words. Just to begin the discussion, think of the many meanings of words. The same word can have many meanings and be interpreted in lots of ways. The word “position”, for example, can refer to the arrangement of your body in space, your job description, or a situation you find yourself in due to circumstances. Words have different connotations that leave them open to miscommunications. They may imply, hint, and suggest with subtle changes in meaning. Most importantly, words have power. They are the means of effective communication and make an incredible difference in the success of a trainer. Think again of the word “position”. Consider it as the frame of reference for your client that... Continue ...

Postnatal health with Pilates

Postnatal health with Pilates

After having a baby, mommies are consumed with overwhelming emotions, thoughts, baby duties, fatigue and as always, trying to find time for mommy. We all know we are better mothers if we take time to exercise and take care of our health. It seems impossible at times, but small things make a world of difference. As a working mother of a 3 year old, I know it is difficult, but balance is important. When I take time to exercise, eat healthy and find extra sleep, my world is unbelievably different than when I don’t. When I say Postnatal Pilates, I am talking to all mothers. Many of these tips are important for those of us with new babies, but much of this applies to mothers with big boys and girls as well. Before beginning... Continue ...

Pilates for the Love of the Sport

Pilates for the Love of the Sport

I have been an avid cyclist since 2001. When my husband, Joe (a Personal Trainer), and I were married, we each purchased steel-framed LeMond bikes. Every summer weekend, we would go out and ride for miles and miles. Now with two little girls, we work hard to balance our family lives, our full-time jobs as fitness professionals, and our love of cycling. To accommodate our busy schedules, we tend to favor workouts that allow us to condition for cycling and our other favorite sports without injuring ourselves. It is with this experience in mind that I developed a program, Pilates for Athletes, to help cyclists become pedal powerhouses in no time flat. Pilates’ integration of the trunk, pelvis, and shoulder girdle, as well... Continue ...

Foam Roller Fun

Foam Roller Fun

Are you incorporating the foam roller into your Pilates exercise routine? We sell them to our clients all the time and they love using them at home. There are so many exciting and challenging options with the roller. It is a great addition to a group class, private session or home routine. Balancing can be difficult because of the small surface area, but the foam roller also helps with modifications for certain exercises, stretching and therapeutic work. Try some of my favorites to change up your routines: Toe Taps/Knee Lifts Bring legs to table-top and hands to the side. Alternate reaching each foot to the floor and returning to table-top, while maintaining stabilization in your torso, pelvis and lower back. Ab Prep Lying... Continue ...

The Link Between the Mind and Body

The Link Between the Mind and Body

It’s something you do every day, every minute, every second yet you wouldn’t give it a thought unless you couldn’t do it and then it would quickly become an issue. What is it? It’s breathing. Without it we die, with it we live and we can enhance our entire being by our awareness of it. It’s interesting to watch people breathe. As Pilates instructors we are keyed into it not only for ourselves but for our clients. We watch them and ask them to be aware of their breath because it will facilitate their ability to exercise and to maximize their exercise experience. It’s amazing how utterly unaware people are of their breath. When a new client comes to you, it’s a good bet that one of the first... Continue ...

Pilates Equipment

Pilates Equipment

What’s better for me, Mat Pilates or Pilates using equipment? This is a common question posed to Pilates instructors and the answer can be pretty straightforward—one isn’t necessarily better than the other, it just depends on your exercise goals and tendencies as well as your wallet. Mat Pilates can be done in group sessions or in private settings and the repertoire can be varied using an assortment of small props such as flex bands, a Pilates ring (aka Magic circle), small or large balls, foam rollers or arc barrels. Pilates apparatus workouts can also be done in private or group settings but are more commonly found in private studios rather than larger gym type facilities. These sessions tend to be more costly due... Continue ...

Why Hire a Pilates Instructor?

Why Hire a Pilates Instructor?

The fitness industry is known for having instructors who are not fully qualified to accurately perform their job functions. Industry standards, while changing, have not been fully established and this has created some problems for consumers as well as qualified instructors. While prevalent in many exercise disciplines, unfortunately it may be more so with Pilates. Interest in Pilates classes has increased dramatically in the recent past and in their haste to get these types of classes on group fitness schedules, many clubs have hired instructors who are not adequately trained. In some cases, in the absence of a properly trained Pilates instructor, clubs will place a group fitness instructor and let him/her teach Pilates. Because... Continue ...

The History of Pilates Exercises

The History of Pilates Exercises

Joseph H. Pilates a man ahead of his time. Some people are surprised that the hundreds of Pilates exercises were designed by a man. It is obviously not an exercise program just for women. The founder of Pilates, Joseph H. Pilates, was born in Germany, November 30, 1880, and began his interest in health and physical conditioning to improve his own personal medical problems. He had asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever as a child. His mother was also a naturopath, which brought him to the health field. He moved to England in 1912 training military police and detectives in self-defense. In 1917, during World War I, he worked to rehabilitate the sick and wounded in a prison camp on Britain’s Isle of Man. Here he began... Continue ...

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