Sports Science

Archive for the ‘Pilates’ Category

Pilates Exercises have been getting more and more attention from lots of people. Since its introduction to the American Population in the 1910’s, the exercise technique invented by the German national Joseph Pilates has caught the attention of millions of Americans to date. Pilates first started with simple springs attached to hospital beds for his first Pilates machine, and since then the machines, as well as the techniques used have improved so well. Pilates also has his share of students, who continued his “teachings” his studio and his work. Nowadays, the modern day Pilates instructor, need only a certification, that they indeed have the proper training to supervise a safe and effective Pilates class. Pilates certifications are offered by a vast number of firms that aside from offering Pilates certifications also hold classes for practitioners.

A Pilates Certification course basically consists of the different basic techniques in the Pilates exercise, as well as good positioning, machine work and mat exercises.

The first Pilates certification course that would probably be taught in a typical Pilates Certification class is basic matwork exercises. These are beginner and intermediate level matwork classes after which, you will be certified to teach beginner or intermediate level Pilates Class. You won’t need a machine for Pilates matwork, which make it the highest in demand because, if you’re planning on teaching Pilates for a living, you can easily start on a low budget, and teach Pilates without using Machines.

The second topic in your Pilates certification course may probably be standing Pilates; this like mat Pilates doesn’t need machines as well, but may take a bit more experience to learn because of the complicated position of standing upright, most Pilates certification schools do not teach standing Pilates until after the trainee has a certification in matwork Pilates.

After standing Pilates, is advanced matwork Pilates. The Pilates certification for advanced matwork, is given later because as its name says, it is advanced, meaning more difficult moves, which entails a higher probability of someone making a mistake. It is therefore crucial that the instructor to be is well trained before he gets an advanced matwork Pilates certification.

After the non equipment courses, the next course for Pilates certification would be the apparatus courses, where you’ll be certified as an instructor for certain machines. First, the would-be instructor is trained with the basic Pilates equipment, Cadillac, reformer, circle, and barrels. After the course, you will have a Pilates certification for apparatus. Some schools offer standing apparatus Pilates certification, as a separate training program from basic apparatus training, if you want to learn it all at once, then you’ll most likely find a certification firm that will accommodate you.

The last and probably the most complicated one is the training for people with special cases, like those with back, neck, knee, shoulder problems. These are more complicated situations and need more focus on. The only one that probably needs a better trained instructor would probably be Pilates for rehabilitation. Yes, Pilates can be used for rehabilitation, but to get a Pilates certification for rehabilitation, you must be certified in all the other Pilates techiniques, this is because most people that need rehabilitaiton are fragile and therefore need extra care, as well as extra training.

After getting a Pilates certification for every course, the trainees should have the skills to teach the exercise techniques, as well as its Pilosophical aspects to practitioners. Some schools even teach the trainees so that after they finish each course, they will also have enough skills to modify the exercise techniques to fit their class’ needs, so that after you train, you can further improve on the teachniques that we’re taught to you and apply them as the case may be.

Because today’s society is filled with jobs that require stressful long hours, more and more people are realizing that they want a job that promotes well-being for both themselves and others which often lead them to consider a career in providing and teaching Pilates Instruction.

The Important Role Of The Pilates Instructor

The importance of a Pilates instructor is to impart proper Pilates instruction. A certified Pilates instructor is first required to maintain the integrity of Pilates instruction.

With this integrity, it allows for the Pilates instruction to be taught the way that it was intended to benefit those who wish to derive value from this exercise program. The proper instruction will reduce potential injuries to the student and will optimize the results gained from the proper performance of the exercises techniques.

The Prerequisite Of A Pilates Certification

The first thing you should know in applying for a Pilates certification will mean to embark upon a career path that requires much interaction with people. For people who have a limited amount of patience when it comes to working with other people, this might not be the ideal career choice, because much of the job will involve trying to help people who are struggling with pilates techniques.

Another important prerequisite to teaching Pilates is to have prior solid comprehension of the Pilates essentials. Pilates essentials consists of the six principles of Pilates, Pilates concepts, Pilates theory, anatomy and how to relate to it, and also, analysis of posture and muscle imbalances.

If you choose to attend a Pilates essentials course, it would provide you with all the necessary tools that can be used for program design and would impart also an understanding of the Pilates Principles, concepts and theory. In addition the Pilates essentials course also teaches how these are implemented into the Pilates training programs.

Therefore it is a good idea if you are well-versed in pilates as a hobby before embarking on getting a Pilates certification. This way, the course training process will be easier for you to understand, thus easier to relate concepts to people as an instructor.

The Pilates Mat 1 Certification

Before you get any other Pilates certifications, you must first complete the Pilates Mat 1 certification course. Once you have successfully completed this certification course, it will enable you to teach Pilates classes that are level 1 or level 2.

The focus of this course concentrates on the history of the Pilates method, and how different Pilates moves benefit the body in different ways. Other topics require you to learn the proper form of each Pilates move, how to perform the exercises for the class, the name of each Pilates exercise, and the most efficient way of performing verbal cues regarding the exercises.

The Pilates Mat 2 Certification

After you have successfully completed the Pilates Mat 1 certification and wish to teach more advanced classes, you can attend the Pilates Mat 2 certification. One of the goals of this course is to teach the instructor how to choreograph certain Pilates moves to make them harder, and tailoring certain moves for people in certain categories, such as the elderly.

Where Do You Get Pilates Training

Because Pilates instruction is such a serious physical rehabilitation exercise program, in Great Britain there are government standards in place for its instruction. Although there are no such licenses or standards required outside of Great Britain, there are several centers available that provide instruction for a Pilates instructor. In addition, there are movements that demands for Pilates instructor accreditation.

If you are in the US and you are interested in finding and participating in Pilates training, one place specifically where you can receive Pilates training is the Pilates Center. Pilates Center is a full-service and state of the art client focused Pilates exercise facility which provides personalized private lessons and group lessons.

In addition, the Pilates center is an internationally renowned teacher training school that has in fact been labeled as the “Harvard of Pilates Teacher Training Programs”. The Pilates center is a company which was established in 1990 in Boulder, Colorado, by Amy Taylor Alpers and Rachel Taylor Segel.

The Pilates industry is fast becoming a truly booming business, and opportunities abound for qualified instructors. Whether you want to work in a Pilates studio, a fitness club, or a therapeutic clinic, for instance, you first need to get certified from a reputable Pilates training institution.

Since there are many different places that offer Pilates training, what you have to do is to browse through the options and find the one that suits you and your particular situation best.

The Pilates Method teaches a common-sense approach to efficient movement habits for whole-body health. Every Pilates exercise combines strength and flexibility with breathing and total body awareness. Learning to pay attention to what your body is doing and how it moves is a must for getting the most from your Pilates training program.

Developed as a system or movement regime, Pilates training provides a variety of choices both in exercises and specialized Pilates equipment to help reinforce good movement habits for an improved quality of life. With over five hundred exercises in the Pilates system, there are lots of exercises to choose from to keep you focused, motivated, and progressing towards your wellness goals.

Safe, Efficient, Injury-free Movement

Done well, the Pilates Method exercises help teach you how your body is put together and how to find and use all the right parts for safe, efficient, injury-free movement. Everything you learn about how to move your body during a Pilates training program can be practiced during other sport and fitness activities, and with time… these important new habits, acquired during Pilates workouts, will transfer into fitness for an improved quality of daily life.

Joseph Pilates believed that, “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.”

A sound mind in a strong body gives us the tools necessary to live life to the fullest. If you’re looking for a fitness program that is fun, challenging, develops balance and control, provides total body conditioning, improves posture and breathing, helps reduce stress, and has a strong focus on a combination of core strength and flexibility — incorporate Pilates exercises and principles into your weekly workout routine.

Pilates really is for every Body!

Regardless of age or fitness level there is always an appropriate place to start when developing your Pilates workout program.

If you’re healthy, Pilates Matwork can be a great way to get your Pilates workout program started. There are over 50 different Pilates Matwork exercises. A basic Mat workout usually includes about fifteen to twenty exercises and, once you know what you’re doing, can be completed in as little as ten to fifteen minutes! This can be a quick stand-alone workout, or can be a great complement to an aerobic training program. An experienced Pilates student can complete an advanced Pilates Mat workout in thirty minutes to an hour.

You can find numerous books, Pilates Mat videos, DVD’s and Pilates MP3 workouts on the market that can be good resources to help remember the exercises, but many people are unaware that Matwork is only half of the Pilates system. For ideal results, your Pilates program should incorporate both Matwork and Pilates Equipment exercises into your workout program. And nothing compares to the benefits you can receive through the hands-on assistance of a qualified Pilates teacher.

We all have dominant and weaker muscles, and don’t always notice when we’re cheating. Regardless of your athletic background, when you are learning the Pilates exercises, the eagle-eye of a good instructor can assist you in really getting the most from your Pilates training program. Once you know what you’re doing, you should be self-sufficient and able to workout on your own with occasional sessions with a Pilates instructor to tweak your technique and progress your workout program.

Get Great Benefits from Your Pilates Workouts

If you want to make the most of your Pilates training experience, (or have any injuries or have had recent surgery,) private one-on-one Pilates training using the Pilates Reformer and other specialized Pilates equipment — Pilates Cadillac / Trapeze Table, the Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Pedi-pole, and Pilates Chairs, may be the very best option to develop a safe and effective exercise program. The Pilates equipment provides both more support, and more resistance, to assist you in learning how to strengthen and stretch the right muscles. Plus with hundreds of exercises to choose from, a personalized program can be developed to take your special needs and goals into consideration for a fun, rewarding workout experience that will help you get the results you’re looking for from your Pilates wellness program.

When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to start with a few one-on-one Pilates training sessions and let your Pilates teacher help guide you into a workout plan that’s best for you. Whether it’s on the Pilates equipment, Matwork, or both… a well-planned, whole-body Pilates workout should be completed in less than hour. Rather than being exhausted, you should feel more invigorated when you are finished. The goal: improved mind, body, and spirit, increased circulation and blood flow, reduced stress, improved energy and enhanced vitality to enjoy life!

Most Pilates students begin to see improvements after their first few sessions. For some changes are dramatic and happen very quickly. Others begin to notice subtle differences in how they breathe, sit, stand, and move. One of Joseph Pilates famous quotes is, “You’ll feel better after 10 sessions, look better after 20, and have a completely new body after 30 sessions.”

Happiness and Health Go Hand in Hand.

Looking for a Pilates Teacher? Here are Five Tips to finding a Pilates Teacher: www.CenterworksPilates.com/blog/find-a-pilates-teacher

A Pilates exercise program can be one of the best ways to keep your whole body healthy, and Pilates workouts are for every Body! If you haven’t experienced the benefits of Pilates do yourself a favor and find a qualified teacher, Pilates studio, or health club that offers Pilates training programs for both the Matwork exercises and Pilates equipment, and check it out. Learn what the Pilates Method can do for you! You’ll love the results.