How does Pilates work for men? It integrates the body by focusing on activating and connecting the strongest parts of the body first – your core, or what we in Pilates refer to as the “powerhouse.” For example, Pilates does not address arm weakness with the thought, “isolate the biceps and strengthen them with curls.” Pilates approaches arm weakness and all other body imbalances with the conviction that you must first strengthen your powerhouse. From your powerhouse, you work your body with integrated movement, connecting all the weaker body parts to your strong core. The whole body becomes stronger as a result. In other words, you must strengthen the trunk of the tree and then integrate – not isolate – the branches.
In addition to developing strength and flexibility, Pilates improves posture. Good posture is a subject of paramount importance to men, on many levels. Good posture yields more energy because it means we’re not fighting gravity. Poor posture, on the other hand, results in vicious cycle of deteriorating health due to unnecessary strains on our joints and organs. You have probably considered the physical benefits of good posture before. But also take a moment to think about how your posture affects the way others perceive you, and how you perceive yourself. The man who carries himself effortlessly conveys to those around him that he is confident, attractive, and intelligent. Improving your posture with Pilates has the potential to enhance everything from your personal relationships to your career.
What distinguishes the Pilates method from the rest of the world of fitness are six fundamental principles and the use of the powerhouse. The six principles of Pilates are: control, center, concentration, precision, flow, and breath. Moving with control from your center with concentration and precision while using proper breathing to create a natural flow from one exercise to the next is Pilates in action. While other exercise methods – like Yoga, the martial arts, and dance- follow these principles and crosscurrents, only at the heart of every movement in Pilates will you find all six principles working together in harmony.
The powerhouse is the workhorse in the Pilates method, comprised of the abdominal muscles, hips, lower back muscles, and buttocks. It begins at the base of the pelvic floor and continues upward to the bottom of the diaphragm. The transverses abdominus is the preeminent powerhouse muscle. It is the deepest of the abdominal muscles and surrounds the entire powerhouse. You feel it tighten your waist when you cough. When an exercise instructs you to engage the powerhouse, you must activate this muscle. All movement in each exercise is initiated from and connected to the powerhouse. In the modern day, Pilates instructors use expressions like “scoop your stomach” and “navel to spine” to teach practitioners how to activate the powerhouse.
The Pilates method uses a minimum amount of time and resources to produce superior results. The time it takes to perform the Pilates mat exercises ranges from twenty minutes to one hour, three to four times a week. Pilates easily fits into a busy schedule and can be performed anywhere that has floor space – in homes, offices, hotels, you name it.
Simply put, Pilates goes with everything and is extraordinary by itself. If you are a frequent weight lifter, Pilates will help you integrate your strength and increase your flexibility. If you play golf, tennis, or baseball (or other sports and activities that require asymmetrical motions,) Pilates will even out your posture and strength. Use Pilates by itself or in tandem with anything you already do.
Athletes, actors, businessmen, and dancers all over the world have used Pilates for decades. Why? Pilates practitioners are forward thinkers who want to be at the top of their games. They know which resources give them an edge in a competitive world. You will look and feel younger, stronger, more resilient, and powerful in every aspect of your life.
