Pilates for Teens

What Is Pilates?

Pilates was created by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920s. It is a movement system that strengthens the core and brings the mind-body connection to the forefront through numerous unique exercises. It caters to people of all ages, all body types, and all fitness abilities. Teenagers in particular can benefit from this form of exercise because it helps prevent injury, and develops flexibility, coordination, balance and endurance. It’s perfect during their growing years.

Teens And Pilates…Benefits?

We believe there is the lack of programs for teenagers available at fitness facilities or schools that specifically target core strength, coordination, balance and flexibility. Pilates is the form of exercise that works the entire body with emphasis on function for overall health.Pilates helps teenagers gain awareness of their body and understand how its workings. Pilates improves the way their body functions, looks and feels – and knowing their body inside and out leads to greater self-esteem. Pilates can also assist with weight management issues in younger people because this form of exercise strengthens and lengthens core muscles without adding bulk. So teens can learn to love their bodies no matter what. Another benefit of Pilates for teenagers is that it helps prevent injury on the playground or on the court – and is the basis for improving posture, and increasing strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

Pilates allows youths to learn about their bodies and how it works – and gives them something to strive for.

Who Can Do Pilates?

Pilates is designed for both the non-athletic teenager as well as the competitive teen. It caters to their various ages, fitness levels, and athletic abilities. Pilates is great for teens getting into highly competitive sports.

Some students come referred by coaches in order to improve at their sport, like gymnastics, figure skating, dance, swimming, golf, tennis, horse back riding, hockey, rowing, basketball. A Pilates program can fill the gap for teenage athletes by introducing them to basic Pilates principles; conditioning body and mind; and helping protect against injury by improving alignment, developing core stability and increasing neuromuscular control. They are taught to use their core as a powerful initiator of movement and as a shock absorber when landing.

Pilates really makes them feel better about themselves. It does that for adults too.

The Benefits of Pilates for Youths:

•  Body Awareness

•  Mental Concentration

•  Injury Prevention

•  Strength & Flexibility

•  Weight Management

•  Self-Esteem & Confidence

•  Coordination & Balance

Source: interfitstudio.com/pilates-for-teen-girls-article.html

“Why Men Should Meet Pilates”

Posted August 29, 2018 by Ashlee Carignan in A Mindful Lifestyle

A common misconception/tale is that Pilates is only for woman. I’m constantly hearing from my male friends in or around the studio, “Isn’t Pilates mostly women?” or “Pilates is just like Yoga right?” I’m here to break that rumor and tell you why Pilates is great for everyone, especially our MEN. 

This “more women” centric notion came when Joseph Pilates companion, who was a dancer, took the methodology and opened a fitness/dance studio. It became widely popular within the dance community and then later in the 80’s, it became more of workout, with influential trainers like Mari Winsor. She took the practice and mass appealed it. As it continued to gain popularity, more and more studios were making “hybrid” workouts out of Pilates exercises. For instance, Piloxing: Pilates & Boxing or Pilates Plus’, Lagree Method, which made Pilates into more of a weight training workout.

As a Pilates instructor, I have a large male client base. I don’t know if that’s because my style of Pilates is more “cardio” based or because they gravitate toward my studio vibe which is private & exclusive. No matter what the circumstances are, I can tell you Pilates is recommended for ALL men! I researched a ton of articles about this very topic and they covered a lot of material, but from an instructor standpoint, I’m going to tell you why I think they should.

5 reasons why men should put their egos aside and try Pilates:

1. FLEXIBILITY! Men by nature, are not the most flexible waist down. They tend to struggle daily with overly tightened hamstrings, hip flexors, and abductors. A lot of this comes from having weaker glutes. I tend to focus my training on loosening and strengthening these areas, so men can perform other activities to the best of their ability without fear of injury. Tight muscles = more prone to injury.

2. FORM: Traditionally, we tend to speed up movements if there isn’t a high emphasis on form. Pilates forces you slow down the movements, which in turn become more demanding on your muscles. I always tell my clients, “Slow and steady wins the Pilates race,” because 9 times out of 10, if you’re speeding through the movement, you’re doing incorrectly.

3. BALANCE: Unfortunately, our balance starts declining at the age of 30! If your core is not strong and your body lacks flexibility, then you can throw balance out the window too; that’s exactly where it comes from: our CORE & FEET. Pilates elongates & strengthens muscle from head to toe, making your muscles balanced from one side of the body to the other.

4. POSTURE: Pilates gets you to think about your posture, not only inside the gym/studio but also outside. In a very short time, clients start becoming aware of their posture and due to more upper body strength, men often times will have internally rotated shoulders. I encourage my clients to, “make sure your shoulders are back and chest open.”

5. ABS: All guys want a six pack and are genetically more likely to achieve one than our ladies. More and more sports teams are turning to Pilates because of its “core”/abdominal benefits. Every movement should derive from what Mr. Pilates called our “Powerhouse.” Whether you’re lifting heavy boxes, reaching for a glass on the top shelf, or throwing a football. A strong core can help propel ANY movement better without strain on the body!

   More than anything, men typically want to know the “why behind the what” they’re doing. So once you get your DUDES in the door, try and make more efficient, effective and tailored workouts to fully engage their needs–Tell them what to do vs. over explaining, (which we Pilates instructors can be guilty of). Once you get them moving & sweating, you’ll untimely keep them coming through your door!