Is There Some Kind of Special Pilates for Men?
For a long time, if you stepped into a Pilates studio, you would see almost all (if not ALL) women. To say that this has majorly changed would be incorrect.
Despite the countless benefits of Pilates for men, it continues to be a practice dominated by women.
Some men seem to think that Pilates is only for slimming down rather than toning and strengthening. Others believe that because they lack flexibility, they’re incapable of doing it. Whatever the reasons, many men simply don’t understand Pilates.
The Benefits of Pilates for Men
Interestingly, it was Joseph Pilates (yes, a man) who developed the practice in the 1920s. In an attempt to build strength and increase agility, he created a system of demanding and challenging movements. Over time, he enlisted others to try these exercises.
The practitioners discovered that his system of non-jarring movements (then called Contrology) helped them recover strength and balance after trauma or illness. They became stronger and more capable in their everyday activities.
The eventual popularity of Pilates for ballet dancers is most likely what pulled the practice toward the feminine. And while there is no special ramped-up version of combat-style Pilates for men, you can ask any man who has made Pilates a regular part of his regimen, and he’ll attest to the rigorousness of the practice. This includes many professional athletes who use it as a part of their cross-training.
They note the following benefits of Pilates for men:
1. Improved Sports Performance
Professional athletes who have added Pilates to their training note an increase in endurance, core strength, agility, and flexibility. All of these positively impact performance in the sport(s) of their choice and enables them to meet their physical potential in a way that other training modalities don’t. And because of the mindful attention to breath, it also enhances overall well-being.
2. Fewer Injuries
Men who rely on just weight training are prone to injury and strain from repetitive motion working specific muscle groups. Pilates, on the other hand, allows for a balanced way to work on target areas by focusing more on the muscles around that area. The focus is not just on strength, but also on balance, flexibility, and proper body mechanics. The result? Less strain, fewer injuries, and a much lower risk of re-injury.
3. Better Muscular Balance and Tone
Along with the risk of strain and injury, many of the popular workouts preferred by men can cause muscular imbalance. Pilates places a premium on maintaining equilibrium through improved balance and toning.
This also means fewer aches and pains. Research shows that doing Pilates 2-3 times per week for a minimum of 8 weeks can ease symptoms for those suffering from chronic lower back pain, as well as arthritis.
Approaching Pilates as a Man
Once you make the decision to try Pilates, it’s important to remember that you will likely be the minority gender. Especially if you take a class.
Also, keep in mind that “powering through” isn’t part of the language of Pilates. Because the focus is on core training, care and attention to each movement, and alignment that goes beyond superficial muscles, the movements may be more subtle than what you find familiar. You will be challenged though.
Finally, it’s not unusual to find that your muscles may be tighter than those of the women or other regular practitioners around you. This is particularly true of the hamstrings and hips. Fortunately, movements are easily modified to allow those areas to gradually stretch and lengthen over time. Once you have that foundation, your instructor can up the ante on your workout while keeping the fundamentals in place.
Ready to Get Started?
If you want to discover all the benefits of Pilates for men, contact us today.
Our professional instructors will coach you on your form and guide you through using the equipment so you can get the most out of the practice.
You’ll be amazed at how adding Pilates to your training regimen will increase your strength, flexibility, balance, and understanding of body mechanics for better workouts.