Pilates Posters Buy Online

Exercise originally started as a as a necessity for survival, then we realized we needed exercise. We emerged to calisthenics and later we even incorporated sit-ups and push-ups in our grade school curriculum. Today we have advanced to chair dips and chin ups. All of these items are body weight exercises with nothing more than gravity providing the resistance training. Pilates is one of the greatest transformations ever developed in the fitness world. Pilates is a sophisticated system developed by Joseph Pilate in Germany. The essence of Pilates is mindful control of our muscles.

Pilates is an effective exercise program that continues to grow in popularity around the world. What makes Pilates so popular is the fact it is effective. Surprisingly we can sculpt our body, control our breathing, and build our stamina. The part that is hard is to remember is the numerous movements. That is where an exercise chart can help.

An exercise chart of just Pilates movements can showcase the variety of the many movements. For you see Pilates does provide a full body workout. Perhaps more importantly Pilates can motivate you to change up your fitness routine. If you are seeking to take your fitness program to the next level, check out these many great exercise posters offering dozens of different toning exercises.

The history of Pilates is filled with little known details about the life of Joseph Pilates and his personal drive for physical fitness. Amazingly enough the Pilates Reformer has been around for decades but sadly hasn't shown up in the health clubs until recently. Even today the Reformer seems to be reserved only for the elite health clubs.

The Pilates Reformer is a piece of fitness equipment that can take your Pilates movements to a new level. If you or your health club has a Pilate Reformer (my former club ha four Pilate Reformers), you need the Pilates Reformer Exercise Chart. Take your Pilates exercise program to the next level with the addition of new movements that will build strength of muscle, character and spirit.

Six Principals of Pilates

Pilates is more than just controlled movement. It's foundation is built upon six principles:

• concentration,
• control,
• center,
• flow,
• precision, and
• breathing.

"Contrology" was Joseph Pilates' preferred name for his method and it is based on the idea of muscle control. "Nothing about the Pilates Method is haphazard. The reason you need to concentrate so thoroughly is so you can be in control of every aspect of every moment."^[11] All exercises are done with control with the muscles working to lift against gravity and the resistance of the springs and thereby control the movement of the body and the apparatus. "The Pilates Method teaches you to be in control of your body and not at its mercy."^[12]

Scope of Pilates

There are 11 million people practicing Pilates and 14,000 instructors. This exercise program was invented by Joseph Pilates and originally was started in Germany expanded to Europe and surrounding countries and then to America around 1925. In the 1980s, a modern adaptation of Pilates was published by Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen, two students of Romana Kryzanowska, The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning, in 1980 and in it they outlined six "principles of Pilates".

1. His original name was Pilatu
2. He hated his new name of Pilates because it was commonly taunted as Pilate, "killer of Christ"
3. He met his wife Clara on a ship headed from his homeland to America when he was 45 years old in 1926
4. His first book was published in 1934
5. He was a prolific inventor with over 26 patents
6. He was a professional boxer in New York City
7. His father was a world-renowned gymnast with a Greek heritage
8. He was a sickly child and dedicated his life to his physical well being
9. In Germany he trained police officers
10. His fellow inmates in Germany credit surviving the flu with the instruction given by Pilate for physical fitness during his time during WWI

He immigrated to the United States from his native country of Germany because he was saddened by the social and political state of his homeland.

One of the main principals of Pilates is the equal importance given to lengthening the muscle through stretching as much as adding muscle.

Controlling the muscle is a mindset, lengthening the muscle is accomplished through stretching.

It is interesting to remember that Joseph was the son of a world renown gymnast. His father essentially taught him the fluidity of the movements and how the muscles support the exertion of the gymnast.

Joseph Pilates went on to be become a professional boxer whose profession was dependent upon engaging the core muscles with force.

The chamber ling techniques of a boxer can be readily understood if we look at the explosive movements of the gymnast.

Pilates is not limited to just floor mat exercises. It also offers the Pilates Reformer and the flex bands. The flex bands are an economical way to add resistance to your many fitness movements. With the flex bands you can stretch and strengthen your muscles. Simply add to the fitness movement for greater range of movement and/or resistance.

Pulleys and springs enhance the resistance of the many Pilates movements with a machine called the Reformer.

So the question becomes which Pilates is better - the mat exercises using just the body weight or the reformer exercises that add resistance via pulleys and springs?

Sadly, the reformer is rather intimidating. Even sadder yet is the lack of classes for the Pilates Reformer.

When I lived in Green Bay I was fortunate to belong to a club that had three Pilates Reformers. Yet the number of classes with the reformer were nominal and the mat classes for Pilates were scheduled regularly.

It is said that mat Pilates is better for beginners. I would say in a general sense this may be true, however, from my experience as a certified personal trainer, the best type of Pilates really depends upon the performance level of the client. Some beginners are physical fit and the Pilates Reformer will offer an exciting exercise routine. If a beginner is someone who has followed the exercise regime of cardio and strength, the best possible exercise program might be the Pilates Reformer. Starting slow is not for everyone - even beginners demand a heightened challenge.

To this end, take a close look at the exercise posters and charts that showcase the many different exercise movements Pilates provides.

Pilates Reformer - A Revitalized Fitness Craze

Some have stated the Pilates Reformer is the new fitness craze. However, if you look at the history and see the machines Joseph Pilates kept in his studio, his invention was started in his early years. This is not a "new" craze, perhaps a revitalized craze or one gaining further notoriety. Whatever the case, the fact remains Joseph Pilates Contrology remains an enduring fitness program loved by millions from around the world.

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