Pilates- Made for Men and Women Alike

Contrary to popular belief, not only was Pilates created by a man but it was also first used by men! German-born Joseph Hubertus Pilates actually started Pilates as a form of rehabilitation for soldiers during WWI.  It was also used for dancers and had the ideal focus of balancing the mind, body, and spirit. Then in the 1920s, Joseph moved to NYC and opened his first Pilates studio.

Now Pilates continues to thrive as a popular exercise for both men and women alike to strengthen muscles, improve balance, relax, and more!

Here at Endurance, we offer classes and Privates Sessions not only to women but to men as well!

Some of our clients, like Tony, have been kind enough to share their experiences and the benefits they gained from taking private classes at our studio.

1. Background -Why did you start Pilates, and how long ago?

“I’ve always been really active. I played sports my whole life, and I was a big runner until a knee injury sidelined that hobby. Since then, I’ve worked out with a personal trainer and have done a lot of weight-lifting.”

“I started practicing Pilates four years ago because I had done research and kept reading that it was incredibly effective as a complement to weight training. I am an avid golfer, and I wanted to increase my core strength to help improve my game. I had heard and read so much about it, I figured, Why not?”

2. How has it helped you in your life/ workout life, etc?

“It’s been a total gamechanger. I can absolutely tell the difference not only at home but also in my workouts. I feel stronger than I ever did when I only lifted weights.”

3. How has it changed your body – how you live your day to day life?

“My flexibility is infinitely better than it used to be. From the little things—I can touch my toes without bending my knees—to the bigger ones—the back pain I used to have is completely gone—it’s completely changed my day-to-day life.”

“I have improved flexibility and more control of my body. I feel like I’m the fittest I’ve been, even compared to my twenties and thirties, and I can confidently say this is the strongest I’ve ever felt, particularly in my abdominal muscles, my lower back, and my core.”

4. Why did you choose Endurance?

“It’s really straightforward—Endurance is classical Pilates, and I didn’t want to waste my time practicing a bastardized form of it. It also has the best, toughest instructors who make me feel challenged every time I’m there.”

5. Anything else you can tell us about your experience with  Pilates/Endurance/Teachers at Endurance?

“My wife and I love the studio. The entire experience really sets it apart. You won’t find a more dedicated, knowledgeable staff anywhere else. Everyone is so committed to helping you achieve your goals and improve—we wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Tony is only one of the many men who come into our studio and benefit from the amazing things Pilates can do for your mind, body, and life in general. It’s never the wrong time to give Pilates a try!

Offers:

If you’re interested in trying out Pilates or want to sign up for Private Classes, check out the website: http://www.endurancepilatesandyoga.com/

To sign up for a Private Trial Session,  click the link: http://www.endurancepilatesandyoga.com/intro-pilates-private-trial.html

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5 Confessions of a Pilates Teacher and Personal Trainer

We are not in good shape purely just because of our jobs as trainers! 

Being a trainer is a very active occupation,  however, I schedule my workouts, have trainers that I work with, have a running coach and I plan my students around my workouts.  So, when I have to miss, I have 6 other full days!  I had a friend who mentioned after I opened my first studio, “OMG, I saw you running the other day!  How do you have time?”  I don’t-  I make time.  Every day.   My alarm goes off at 4:30AM most days.   Some nights, I don’t leave the studio until 9:30PM but I get on the treadmill at 11PM.  And, it is very difficult sometimes, but so very much worth it to me.  I am in much better shape in my 40s than I was in my 20s.  My 14 year old son is always my first priority, then my health, then everything else!

We cram too much into our days! 

I never get enough sleep.  I have a Fitbit for the sole purpose of tracking my dismal sleep patterns.  It’s 11PM, I’m getting up at 4:30 to run.  Do the math (because I am denying it- haha).  I’m not done with the post either.  There’s a lot going on in my life and I am supremely lucky to be able to function on not a lot of sleep.  Am constantly working on this one.

We don’t eat perfectly all the time, but we also know that diet is the biggest contributor to our students’ overall health! 

I am not a breakfast person at all.  I will eat toast prior to a long run, but I’d rather have a salad mid morning or a cheese sandwich if I’m really hungry versus any other typical breakfast food. I also believe that banana bread should never be made without chocolate chips and during marathon training, I eat an entire baguette- almost every day.  Wine is a food group, medicine, happy juice.  I have been a vegetarian for 25 years.  In 2010, I cut out all the chemicals and preservatives I could out of my diet and never had a “boofy” belly again.  I eat things that I love that make me happy and would never deny myself a treat if that is what I wanted, but I am a maniacal label reader and will lecture you on the ingredients in the foods you eat. And, expect me to ask for ingredients lists if we are out to dinner.  But, only because some of them do make you puffy- and mess with everything else in your system.  I only eat real sugar.  I don’t believe in shakes or bars- mentally, I feel like they mess with your body’s ability to recognize nutrition and sustenance, so you are still hungry after 500 calories of processed stuff- as good as those ingredients may be.  I try and eat well 95% of the time, so when I want to have that piece of cake my student just dropped off for me, I eat the whole thing, never feel an ounce of guilt and can smile when I well her how much I on

We are maniacally picky about who we work with- doctors, trainers, physical therapists. 

I will question decisions, go with my instinct and seek out other opinions.  All the time.  At least once a month, I will travel 3+ hours to workout with a trainer.  Because I deserve to work out with somebody that I can learn more from as a student and as a teacher.  It is worth it to me to pay for and seek out the best available when it comes to health.

I sometimes wonder if my leggings are appropriate for dinner out.  I sleep in them, teach in them, workout in them.  I get excited to put on heels and a dress- like it is the highlight of my month!  I can’t imagine life in any other sort of work clothes.  And, if you tell me that yoga pants are not appropriate as pants, I will fight you on that!

Exercise of the Day – Rollup

 

Top part of the rollup- if you have a good teacher- you are sooooo challenged here.  Get a new one if you are not or listen to yours if you are just being lazy!