You walk into a pilates studio, you notice a bunch of men leaving. You think, are they there to fix something? Did a machine break?
No, you find out they are there to practice The Pilates Method. They just finished a reformer class given by your favorite instructor.
These days pilates, is all the buzz for celebrities. It’s how JLo keeps her figure, what Kate Hudson and Madonna swear by to maintain their beautiful strong bodies.
What we don’t hear about is the men, and how the pilates method has benefits for them.
Let’s start at the beginning, Pilates was originated by a man, Joseph Pilates. He would set up springs in hospital beds for bedridden soldiers to get them to exercise against resistance. Many years later, came the invention of his apparatus called the reformer.
Here are the 5 top reasons why real men practice pilates:
1.Develop Core Strength Core strength is not doing a million abdominal exercises. It’s working the whole core, back and obliques along with the rectus abdominals. Pilates works deep muscles, very intrinsically to activate muscles like the transverse abdominis (TA). This will challenge the core in ways a traditional abdominal crunch can never achieve.
2. Improves Flexibility Flexibility is crucial for men if they play any type of sports. Muscles that aren’t flexible are at a risk for injury. Even if your man is at a desk all day, becoming flexible can avoid tightness in lower back. The Pilates Method trains the muscles not only stretch but also lengthen.
3. Efficient Movements Being able to move efficiently allows the body to function with little resistance or strain. When movement is efficient there is no need for any corrective exercises or rehab because there is little chance for injury.
4. Prevents Injury Let’s face it men are usually not as mindful in their movements. The Pilates method teaches men to become aware of their internal dialogue and how it effects their outer bodies. This leads to more efficient movements, which in turn can lead to an injury free life.
5. Better Sex The Pilates method teaches men to connect to their pelvic floor which controls urination and ejaculation. By strengthening these muscles, men can control their emissions. Nuff said!
Today we are starting to hear how not only female celebrities train on the reformer but how Hugh Jackman and NFL football players are all practicing pilates.
Ladies, get your man to Pilates with you. Win Win #coupletime
Men, listen up this is your secret sauce. #bettersex
Here’s to the men who take pilates!
In health and happiness
Maria