Pilates - A Brief History
Pilates was developed by a German national named Joseph Pilates who became well-known for his lifelong interest in body conditioning nearly a century ago. The Pilates program is generally designed to shape and sculpt your entire body and help you lose weight at the same time.
You can find some tips and articles here. For even more information and articles on Pilates and fitness, please visit PilatesStuff.info, Pilates Videos and BestFitness-Stuff.info

Pilates Articles and Info
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Pilates Podcast
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Great Pilates Lenses
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Pilates Books
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Pilates book recommendations I will be reviewing and describing all my favorite Pilates books. Their are so many books to choose from it can be difficult for a beginner to decide on suitable book choices. I will remove all the guess work and make it cle...
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Malibu Pilates Chair Exerciser
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The Revolutionary Malibu Pilates Chair Carroll Krieff took Josef Pilates' vision into the next generation with her affordable, portable, in-home total body Malibu Pilates Chair. Get Malibu slim and sexy with the Malibu Chair's one-of-a-kind combinati...
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Yoga Pilates Training
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This Squidoo Lens is about Yoga Pilates for Health and Fitness. It's focus is on using a successful combination of exercises from both yoga and pilates, to achieve maximum healthy benefits. Yoga, which means discipline, was developed in the year 300 b...
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Pilates Machine
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Here are our Top Picks Websites For Pilates Machines: Winsor Pilates Fitness Machine - Winsor Pilates workout method is a high intensity low impact exercise program they offers participants a unique way to develop a fit body with a sound mind. Si...
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Using Pilates to Ease Your Back Pain
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According to statistics, more than 200 million Americans alone suffer back pain. Some patients endure surgery, while others find ways to minimize the pain. Traditionally, the treatment for lower back pain is increasing core strength to increase the...
Cool Pilates Sites
- Pilates
- Articles, Information, Links, Videos, Products & Resources All About Pilates.
- YogaStuff.info
- Yoga Articles, Information & Products.
- Pilates equipment, videos, education and information
- Pilates.com features comprehensive information about the Pilates Method, including equipment, videos, books, history, training, studio locations and more. From Balanced Body, the leader in Pilates since 1976.
- United States Pilates Asssociation & The New York Pilates Studio? Teacher Certification Program
- United States Pilates Association Official Site.
- Pilates Origin and History, Benefits, Mat Exercises and Techniques on MedicineNet.com
- Read about Pilates' health benefits (flexibility, core strength training), techniques, mat exercises, safety during pregnancy and Joseph H. Pilates' fitness method.
- Pilates - Exercises and Equipment for Strength and Flexibility - Pilates DVD Reviews and More
- Get information on Pilates classes, equipment, and beginning Pilates along with free pilates exercise instructions and DVD and Pilates clothing reviews.
- Pilates Benefits - Benefits of Pilates exercises and Pilates techniques
- Pilates Insight features information on the benefits of this exciting exercise system. Information about strength, flexibility, balance, and the theory behind the mind-body connection can be found at Pilates Insight.
All About Stability Balls
The importance of core strength cannot be emphasized enough. Core strength focuses on the major muscles that helps stabilize and support all of the body movements including the back and the deep abdominal muscles. Having a strong core can help alleviate and prevent back pain. Additionally, since all the major muscle groups are exercised, the muscle tone, strength and endurance are also improved resulting in increased flexibility, stability and resistance. Strengthening the core also allows for better workouts and helps reduce the risk of injury.A popular tool for core strength training is the stability ball. Also known as a physioball or a Swiss Ball, it was originally used in rehabilitation as early as the 1900's. In the early 1960's, Aquilino Cosani, an Italian toy maker, made the ball and sold it, known then as the 'Gymnastik.' Two decades later, Cosani came up with a company called Gymnic and became the major supplier of the stability ball to most rehabilitation programs and centers.
The ball then shifted from the rehabilitation to the athletic area in the 90's. It was used to condition the body of professional athletes. Since then it has become very prominent in the fitness community.
Fitness experts say that using a stability ball is ne of the best ways to strengthen the abs and back and increase stability. Exercise balls challenge you by putting your body in an unstable position. When you lie on the ball, your legs and abs immediately contract to keep you from falling off. Add an exercise like a chest press or a crunch and you've just increased the intensity of the movement.
The stability ball can be used in many different ways including:
Weight training - the stability ball is used as a weight bench to add difficulty to the movements and incorporate the muscles of your legs, butt and abs.
Abdominal training - doing crunches, twists and other traditional exercises on the ball adds difficulty to the movement by recruiting more muscles. The abs and the back muscles are simultaneously moved as you work in your balance.
Sitting around - Just sitting on an exercise ball can be a challenge and it's a great way to improve your posture when sitting in front of a computer or watching television. Practice by sitting on it and raising one foot off the ground and balancing.
Proper Alignment - Using the ball during training will test the body to make use of the different parts to maintain the proper balance. The dynamic movements during exercise will improve the natural motor reflexes of the body as by using muscles that aren't usually used. The challenge posed by the ball is to maintain balance. As you try to gain the proper balance, the alignment of the body parts is also improved.
Weight Loss - With regular exercises and training with the stability ball, a person can lose some unwanted pounds as the body is firmed.
A great thing about using a stability ball is that the perception of working is reduced, especially for beginners. The ball gives some element of play and can make the training seem less like work. In addition, the ball can be used by anybody at any fitness level. It'a also portable, durable, lightweight and inexpensive compared to other exercise equipment.
Share Your Thoughts...
I've learned basic Pilates months ago when I felt that I'm getting nowhere with my body fat because I'm always sitting in front of my PC working on my Penn State Checks webpages and to make matters worse, I eat in front of the PC with foods loaded with all kinds of bad but delicious stuff! And I'm grateful to have come across this site of yours! I can learn some more Pilates to help me lose weight!
by DeniseN
Hello. My name is Denise, but most people call me Dee. I'm interested in lots of things and I have a variety of lenses to prove it.
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