Why should men attend a Pilates Class
5 reasons why real men do Pilates
Real men play rugby or football. Some may even box or bike. But you’d never catch a genuine male of the species taking part in a Pilates class. That’s exercising for women, right?
Wrong.
Look behind the scenes of some of the most successful male athletes and you’ll find a number of them turning to Pilates as a way to improve their performance. Tiger Woods has credited Pilates with aiding his own performance, delivering speed, strength and stability through his core – a crucial factor in the smooth rotation of a golfer’s swing. David Beckham is another who took up Pilates during his playing career, maintaining a supple and injury-free body for 20 years as a world-class footballer.
Perhaps the most surprising advocates of Pilates are the all-conquering New Zealand All Blacks. Giant hunks of meat they may be, but the number one side in world rugby have found Pilates to offer significant benefits in maintaining fitness, improving stability and avoiding injury during the course of a long and brutal season.
If those endorsements aren’t enough to get you thinking about enrolling, here are a few more bits of food for thought before you turn your back on those Cat and Cobra poses:
- Pilates was created by a man for men
More specifically, his name was Joseph Pilates. Pilates began developing the techniques and exercises that would later take his name more than 70 years ago. He was committed to developing a discipline for both sexes.
- It’s a total body workout
Many gym classes and exercise regimes focus on particular muscle groups and can neglect other, smaller groups. A core principle of Pilates is that the whole body requires conditioning and balancing.
- Builds core strength
Pilates exercises increase the strength of core muscles. A strong core improves stability and reduces pressure on the back and spine. For many practitioners it is considered the best way of getting an ab-tastic stomach.
- Improved flexibility
Pilates aids the stretching and elongation of the muscles. This improves elasticity and mobility of joints, increasing range of motion. If you’re entering the twilight of your sporting career or just exercising to stay in shape through your later years, Pilates is ideal for keeping creaking joints and tight muscles at bay.
- Stress buster
Nobody likes stress yet modern life seems to be full of it. Pilates focuses on concentration, control and centring – a process which many find akin to meditation and gives them a greater understanding and feeling of oneness with their bodies. Emphasis is also placed on breathing, which can help with relaxation and calmness after a tough day in the office.
If you’ve never considered trying Pilates before or have overlooked it as a fad class. Perhaps it’s time you thought again. Contact us on 02879301296 to book a spot on our new “MEN ONLY PILATES CLASS” starting in January 2015
