Any and all that know a thing or two about fitness are sure to have heard of, if not use themselves the wonderful exercising technique called Pilates. This particular exercise is known not just to get you flexible but also increase your body strength, and provide you with a toned, slimmed down body. Where Pilates really does shine though, is that it can greatly increase your flexibility, agility, and give you an improved posture. In addition to helping those already fit, Pilates has been used to help rehabilitate those who suffered injuries or prevent future injuries. There’s all kinds of benefits that Pilates brings to the millions that use this form of exercise every day. However, you might have thought yourself where did this form of exercise come from? Or who was the person that came up with Pilates?
Well the name says it all Pilates, Joseph Pilates that is. He was born in Germany in 1880 and was a very sickly child battling rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever. Despite his aliments he took up gymnastics, bodybuilding and diving. And so began the development of his physical fitness system, which shows influences from gymnastics, yoga, boxing and martial arts to name a few.
In the year 1912 Joseph made a trip to England performing in a circus. When World War I broke out he decided to intern on the Isle of Mann where a camp was formed, there he began teaching others his new fitness plan. During this time while being an intern Joseph had many opportunities to create certain apparatus that would be used to rehabilitate the injured and in-firmed. When the war had finally finished he decided to go to the United States, while during this journey was introduced his future wife named Clara. Together they decided to move to New York and to establish a studio in their home.
While in the United States over the many years, Pilates was able to invent over 600 different exercise moves that were intended to be done on different pieces of equipment that he had made. A few examples of Pilates apparatus that he invented were given names like the Reformer, Cadillac, Barrel, and Wunda Chair. These devices can still be found in many Pilates studios worldwide today. There has even been a claim that the infamous Wunda chair was the first home gym ever created.
The philosophy behind Joseph Pilate was that he believed in order to achieve proper health the whole being including the mind, spirit, as well as body would need to be addressed. The equipment that he developed was always designed in order for the whole body to be trained, the movements that were used were to simulate normal activities bringing the body into proper balance and harmony.
There is no doubt that Joseph Pilates was a brilliant man who was ahead of his time. He touched the lives of many people and his exercises will continue to change lives for the better. If you haven’t tried Pilates yet, why not consider making it a part of your weekly workout routine. Your mind and body will thank you.
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