Tag Archives: pilates

Pilates Becoming Popular with Men

For years Pilates has been popular with women looking to improve their flexibility and strengthen their core. But, a new study out shows that the exercises designed for total body conditioning are now attracting a record number of men. Some 12.5 million people participated in Pilates in 2006, the latest year for which figures are available, up from 9.4 million in 2003, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. What’s more, of those 12.5 million more than a third are men. That’s up more than half from 2003. Experts theorize that the growing number of men who are supplementing their … Continue reading →

Puh-Lah-Teez – Constructive Contradictions

Everything about Pilates is a contradiction and yet, it’s not. It’s a difficult and often times troubling workout that really kicks you in the pants. It looks hard and at the same time, it doesn’t. For years, I used to dance and I loved dancing – everything from ballet to jazz to modern and more. I still love to dance, but I don’t train for it professionally. Have you ever watched a group of dancers and wondered how what they did could really be so hard? It doesn’t necessarily look hard – until it does. The same description can be … Continue reading →

The Fitness Blog Week in Review for Jan 6-Jan 12

Good morning, it’s a soggy Saturday here. It started raining yesterday and it’s been quite drenching. They are worried about freezing temperatures and there’s every chance we’ll have freezing rain and ice storms today so I have a feeling we’ll be fairly housebound for the weekend. That’s all right; we’ve plenty to do to amuse ourselves. Our daughter got Dance, Dance Revolution for Christmas and it’s time she and I spent some time together dancing our little tushies off. But before we dive into that, here is our Fitness Blog week in review. Saturday, January 6 Personal Fitness Challenge – … Continue reading →

Group Fitness Classes Are Great Options

Too often we think about the group fitness class at the gym with a groan. After all, who wants to be in a room full of spandex wearing women or men or both. Far too often we become self-conscious and we think only toned bodies are going to be on the people in that room, but it’s not entirely true. You may be denying yourself a great fitness option because of how you view yourself. It’s important to remember that plenty of people lose weight, trim up and look toned and firm after working out regularly and those toned bodies … Continue reading →

Pilates – Firm Up

While I am a huge fan of yoga, I am not as big a fan of Pilates as I am of yoga. Frankly, I think Pilates is punishingly hard. That being said, I never shirk from a challenge. That being said, here is a 5 minute Pilates workout that I have worked my way up to doing. It’s still hard, but as opposed to my thinking it’s impossible, I don’t think that anymore. So let’s firm up with some Pilates! Pilates Push Ups The idea of push ups in Pilates uses the same form as Plank in Yoga. So you … Continue reading →

Infertility and Fitness: What’s the Connection?

Infertility is an issue that millions of couples struggle with. Fitness is not a cure for infertility, but there is a relationship between how much exercise and the type of exercise you do and a couple’s ability to conceive. Still the causes of infertility are varied and the treatments are equally varied. Exercise helps couples struggling with infertility because it can help lower their stress and boost their overall health. While it cannot resolve the infertility issues — there are some things that can help both men and women. For Men: Avoid wearing tight fitting shorts or briefs. When men … Continue reading →

Pets and Pilates

No, I’m not suggesting you pick up doggy-sized sweatbands and take Spot to the gym. My mother recently started taking Pilates classes with my aunt. They shared an interesting tidbit about Pilates that got me thinking: Pilates is based in part on how animals move. Now, I’ve never subjected myself to a Pilates class. But since Mom planted that seed in my head, I’ve been watching my dogs and how they move. Especially the stretches. As soon as Lally and Moose get up from a snooze, they stretch. Backwards first, front paws reaching forward, toes splayed. Then a forwards stretch, … Continue reading →