Pilates Exercise

Pilates as an exercise program is a hugely popular way to keep very fit and it enjoys a following from young to old alike. Sportsmen and dance students particularly favor Pilates exercises. The pioneer of the Pilates exercise program was a man called Joseph Pilates. He designed this exercise program to build a foundation of a strong body that was fit and lean with good muscle tone. Believe it or not, Joseph developed this program back in the early twentieth century. The 1920's to be more precise. Pilates exercises are performed on mats and with dedicated equipment for Pilates use.

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. As a child, Joseph was a fairly frail. This physical reality was perhaps a contributing factor to his will to transform himself into a strong and physically attractive man. Joseph studied a number of things including meditation, yoga and disciplines such as martial arts. He integrated these experiences and knowledge into what later became known as his Pilates methodology. Joseph, as a result, also became competent in other areas such as gymnastics, skiing and boxing.

During the first World War, Joseph did a lot of his work in a camp where he was confined. It was during this time that he devised exercises and exercise equipment that could be used to help injured prisoners of war. Joseph Pilates devised relatively low resistance techniques that made use of bed springs as the equipment of choice. These springs eventually went through an evolution and became known as the Pilates trabeze table. This was a great success and it soon became evident that these exercises would be of benefit to anyone that wanted to get fitter.

Joseph was released from the camp and subsequently emigrated to America with his wife and opened a fitness studio in 1926. Dance figureheads were very taken with his approach to fitness. At this time his methods were identified by the term 'Contrology". Because Joseph's exercises resulted in lean strong muscles as oppose to huge muscle mass found in bodybuilding, dancers were cheerleaders for his methods.

It took a while for his Pilates methods to become as popular as they are today. A relatively small number kept his methods alive over the years by practising them. Just a few short years ago, the world of science took an interest in the principles outlined by Pilates. It was at this point, Pilates developed a critical mass and became hugely popular around the world.

Joseph Pilates stayed fit using his own Pilates methods he had devised until the grand old age of eighty seven. Unfortunately he did not die of natural causes and met his demise as a result of injuries incurred during a fire.

However, his Pilates methods live on to this day, with many fit, strong and happy devotees living proof that this method of fitness has great benefits and is highly effective.

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