Pilates and Men

RE: Pilates and Men

Hi Douglas
yes it does appear to be aimed mainly at women. But dont let this put you off unless you are made to feel particually unwelcome.

The main point that you may not be aware of is that starting Pilates in group sessions at a gym is definitely not the way to start.
Firstly you should be individually assesed as to your particular strengths and weaknesses and a pilates program designed to suit. You will also need close individual attensionin starting this program to make sure you are using the correct muscles.
Everyone should be aware of, and practice pilates as there are massive improvementsthat canbe madein overall health and wellbeing that will protect you from eg spinal disk damage particularly if you have to sit all day at your computor to earn a living !

The large classes at gyms for beginners will offer very little help in the correct exicution of pilates exercises and without prior assesment of your physical condition could even be harmfull !.

steve
PS. I think it would help if pilates instructors that read this would post their comments on a separate thread re pros and cons of large classes.

RE: Pilates and Men

Hi Douglas, yes Pilates is suitable for men. In fact it was designed by a man (Joseph Pilates) to benefit his own body intitially.
I teach Pilates and about 10% of my clientele are men. I teach 1:1s and classes of 12 and less: the most men I have at the moment in one class is 3, but very often they are the only bloke but it's OK. There are differences in men's and women's bodies in general, for instance men are much stiffer around the hips.Even the obvious ones do matter in teaching Pilates as the pelvic floor is differently constructed. (Incidentally it is thought that pelvic floor work for males improve urino-genital performance and prostate health.) But in a small class the differencesbetween individual's bodies can be taken into account by a good teacher.

In an ideal world all beginners should have a few 1:1s before they start class: however due to cost considerations this isn't always possible for everybody and I successfully teach beginners in a class situation - I get them to arrive with a health form filled in and thentake a few minutes to assess them before we start. That is just the beginning of getting to know their bodies but it does help.If they are coming to class any injuries should be "old and cold"- Pilates is an exercise with rehab benefits but anyone with acute painshould be seeking help from medics.

Douglas, I would avoid going to a Pilates class that you can "just turn up to" as you are unlikely to get the attention you deserve. Many people who teach these sort of classes have minimal training.
Find someone who puts on courses of classes: you have to make a commitment and so do they. They may well allow you to sit in on a class before signing up for a course, and you should at least have a chat to your teacher to decide if they sound interested in you - not just in taking yourmoney.

Sharon

RE: Pilates and Men

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I have taken on board what has been said, especially the comment about not joining a class that you can just pop along to but rather to seek individualised sessions.
So I have decided not to join the gym class.
I have a more positive view of Pilates and shall seek individual sessions locally.
Thanks again.

RE: Pilates and Men

Why should we men be intimidated by joining a class of women?!!!

My wife runs eight classes a week in Pembrokeshire and one to one sessions at our studio.

So far there are only four men in the client list, but none are embarrassed and, the ladies have got a great attitude towards them.

I'm only a beginner, but due my wifes new career I have found Pilates to be great and I'm not at all embarrassed.

The benefits I am finding fantastic and are helping in my other hobbies of kitesurfing and surfing, both which seem to have improved with my improving core strength.

Come on men - It's not for pansies!

Agree one to one sessions first will help you understand what you are aiming for - The moves must be done correctly to get benefits and avoid injury.

RE: Pilates and Men

I know this is a fairly old post but it seems men are getting more involved with pilates.
A number of my mates at the local rugby club swear by it after reading an article about the New Zealand All Blacks doing it.
Well there you go.

Pilates is definitely suitable for men too. In my class we don't have many men, but some come on a regular basis and seem to enjoy it. You shouldn't be embarassed!

Just thought i would add a comment regerding Pilates Equipment Sessions.
All the guys i teach who have done matwork in the past are now really enjoying the challenge of working on the reformers/cadillacs and the differnce in their bodys is amazing. I certainly recommend Pilates for men!

Just an update, two great years after my last posting!

Percentage of men increasing as word of mouth spreads locally - We had our first class of 50/50% male/female just last week.

The classes do vary through the week, and sometimes I am the only male there - But it does not matter! There is no problem. Just enjoy the exercises and leave taller than you arrived!

I am a bloke (last time I checked) and think pilates is brilliant. I am also a personal trainer and pilates teacher. I always recommend it to men and have even done small groups of rugby players and soldiers (I spent 20 years in the army).

Go for it

😮 Yikes! I've just qualified as Level 3 Matwork instructor!

And - I'm still a bloke! 😀

I think Joseph H Pilates was a bloke too! So there.

men especially

my most regular and enduring Pilates client has been a man!

yes he was! Also, I recently did a tour of a big new sports centre locally, and my guide invited me to peep thru a glass door at a whole major international rugby team doing a Pilates workout. So there! (mind you, no chaps in my class, tho there is one at yoga)