Pilates an Effective Workout for Men Over 40

 

 

Men who have heard of Pilates — the exercise method — often think that it must have something to do with stretching or dance (perhaps something in the name causes us to assume that it’s somehow more female-oriented). But the truth is, Pilates is a challenging workout — yet safe enough for rehabilitation — that is ideally suited for men.
 

“…it creates a type of definition
and overall fitness that I’ve
not been able to replicate
with any other regimen!”

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a type of strength conditioning that emphasizes agility, balance, and the body’s “core” muscles.

Some of the issues that men grapple with — whether they realize it or not — are poor posture, a compressed spine, decreased vitality, a thick waistline, and a general lack of understanding about their own physical bodies and how they best operate. Pilates can provide a excellent solution to these challenges.

Two Styles of Pilates Workouts

There are basically two types of Pilates in one-on-one training (there are “group mat classes” too, but I’ll save that for another post):

#1 ~ Classical Pilates

The first type of training is “Classical,” that holds rigidly true to the original teachings of Joseph Pilates. These trainers were often trained in New York by Romana, the official protege of Joseph Pilates. This type of training is very technique-oriented. You’re not allowed to “mimic movements” or “make shapes” or progress to the next level until you really understand how to do that particular movement or series from the inside-out (this style is very popular with advanced students and former professional dancers).

#2 ~ Modified Pilates

The second type of training is “Modified,” which is basically Pilates updated for our modern lifestyles. As attention-spans shrink in our culture, busy professionals who have hectic lives sometimes don’t have the patience for technique — they just want to move and sweat, turn their brains off for 60-minutes and feel like they burned some calories, strengthened some muscles, and did something good for themselves.

Personally, I have tried both types of trainers and methods, and I like them both! I tend to alternate, because both types of workout are helpful and garner results.

The reason that Pilates is especially helpful to men over 40, is that it prevents injury and really targets those abdominal muscles!

Here’s a short video of what Pilates for men looks like:

 
It’s a video I did for EstateHomesLA.com (it has been said that Los Angeles is an “insiders’ town,” and that the best discoveries are made not by spotting something from your car window as you drive past, but rather, by word-of-mouth).

Men for whom Pilates workouts could be a good idea include those who have knees issues, neck problems, lower back pain, feet complications or weak abdominals. Pilates not only strengthens the muscles and firms the soft areas of the body, it also has a tendency to lengthen the body. One actually feels taller after a Pilates workout!

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Pilates Can Combat Sedentary Lifestyle

I do sometimes wonder about the various ways people carve out time during their busy days to exercise. Where do you they enjoy working out? At home? A gym? Do they powerwalk, run, or hike in their neighborhoods? How often?

The thing is, unless you work in construction, or are a farmer or rancher or something like that, modern life is sedentary — and we all must find ways to fit some sort of exercise into our daily lives. It’s easier said than done!

The truth is that all Pilates — whether Classical or Modified — is technique-oriented, and so, for men who like to “burn off the stress” and “go for the endorphin-release,” then Pilates would be better as one piece of a varied exercise program, one that also includes cardio, weight lifting, or perhaps even yoga.

I like to mix it up, and do all kinds of fitness, so Pilates is great for me (that’s me in the video).

There’s just nothing quite like Pilates. It creates a type of definition and overall fitness that I’ve not been able to replicate with any other regimen!