Kathleen Stanford Grant used to express dissatisfaction in how the masculinity of Pilates is not as prevalent in the work today as it has been in the past. Pilates was created by Joseph H. Pilates, a man – and there was a masculinity and beauty in the work. In recent years Pilates has been used by dancers and as many dancers have found their place as a Pilates Teacher it has greatly influenced the work.

Originally called Contrology, Pilates has been a training tool and secret weapon for elite athletes, both men and women. Many of my own clients are professional athletes – Basketball, Cycling and Olympic medalists. Pilates often gives the athlete that extra edge to win their competition – often where a fraction of a second matters.

Why does Pilates work? We have to look at the 6 core principles of Pilates: Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath and Flow. So long as these principles are present in every session the workout will be very relevant for a Men’s Fitness Programs. These core principles once practiced, and learned also become second nature to the client, they will find that these principles apply in their sport as well as daily activates. I will talk about my view of the principles in another article.

Using the equipment as well as mat Pilates, even for someone who is not well versed in intermediate or advanced work a pace can be maintained. As much as some of the more “dancy” movements can be a joy to perform it is also easy to adapt the equipment for a more masculine / stronger workout which will have the same affects on the body as working out in the gym. For example, Prone Pull Ups with the Long Box using the risers at the end of the reformer. Supine Pull Ups with the Infinity Bar moved up the reformer, as well as some of the more classical exercises – Kneeling Arms Side Series, Forward Lunges on the Wunda Chair, Planks and Push Ups. More and more I find myself playing on the equipment to find new ways to challenge these exercises.

So guys, I hope this takes some of the preconception that Pilates is for women. Once you lower your golf score or start to get ahead of your running mates you will just have to confess that Pilates is what helped with the improvement.

All this talk about Pilates for men - it is time for my own workout.

Larry Hall
The Center Studio
300 Sanchez Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-861-3932