Ok Guys…. Drop and Give me 100!

Cecilia Pulido
Jun 15, 2020
2 min read

By Devi Tippy Toes

If you have ever taken a Mat Pilates class, then you have probably noticed the lack of male participants. Why is that? According to DiChiara (2013), guys seem to have this preconceived notion that Pilates is for women. That idea alone may contribute to their belief that they won’t fit in (Dichiara, 2013). In addition, they just don’t seem to see the benefit in it (Cohen, 2020). No benefit? Clearly gentlemen, you have never taken a Mat Pilates class.

Let’s begin with this little tidbit. Pilates was actually created by a man, the great Joseph Pilates. Although he died in 1967, his astounding legacy lives on. He initially designed this method of exercise for himself. After building and fine tuning his equipment, he realized that he could help others recover from injuries. Many of his first clients were soldiers coming back from war. (Smith Burns, 2016). Actually, Joseph Pilates was interned on the Isle of Mann where he worked in the medical ward helping to rehabilitate injured soldiers.

If the truth be told, Pilates offers a fantastic workout for both genders. Famous male athletes such as Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Chris Humphries have added Pilates to their wellness repertoire. The most obvious benefit for elite athletes would be core strengthening. Chris Humphries, a professional basketball player, believes that his Pilates practice has dramatically energized his core. By continuously working his core during Mat classes, he feels that the movement in his limbs are much more powerful and efficient. More power equals better performance. Better performance equals being on top of your game. Unlike body building or other types of movement patterns, Pilates exercises are designed to strengthen the entire core and not just the “six pack” (Cohen, J. 2020).

Still need more convincing? How about this fact? Pilates has become a crucial supplementary training program for the N.F.L. Even Pro football players are beginning to see the value of Pilates training. They will be the first ones to tell you that Pilates is not for the faint of heart! You might be wondering…. Why football players? It’s really a no brainer. Players are in constant danger of becoming injured during practice, and even more so during the season. Once injured, it is important to rehabilitate the body safely. Pilates is designed to align or to realign your spine correctly, thus alleviating injury and physical pain. Consistent Pilates practice also helps protect the body’s major joints. This is accomplished by specific exercises which help to build balanced muscles. Balanced muscles promote healthy tissue. By practicing Pilates regularly an athlete’s risk of injury decreases. It is important to maintain a regular Pilates routine in order to see these benefits (Gibson, T. 2020).

There are so many benefits to Pilates for both women and men. With so many reasons to try a class, what’s stopping you? Father’s Day is just around the corner! Why not share this opportunity with a gift of classes for the special man in your life.