The Man Myth: Why Most Men Don't Do Pilates And Why They Should!
If you’ve seen pictures of Joseph Pilates, they reveal a perfectly toned, muscular and rugged looking man! How then, did the Pilates workout become stereotyped in the 80’s and 90’s as an exercise method primarily for women?
The story is twofold. Professional ballet dancers in New York in the 1930’s- 60’s would go to Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate themselves from dance injuries. It worked so well, that it became know as a technique for dancers!
Similarly one of Joseph and Clara (Joseph Pilates wife) students; master ballet dancer Ron Fletcher*, opened the first Pilates studio in Beverly Hills in 1971. Many celebrities flocked to train with Fletcher, cementing Pilates as a technique for famous celebrities, especially women.
Over the last two decades this stigma that Pilates being a women’s only exercise has fortunately eroded* somewhat, but has not completely been eradicated. The proof, as they say is in the pudding however, and as more men partake, usually at the urging of a significant other, athletic coach or physical therapist, they are shocked and amazed that it can make such a profound difference to their bodies, health and lifestyle… not to mention the occasional golf swing.
Men need an exercise technique like Pilates to:
Reduce or eliminate back pain
Condition their bodies to be able to withstand the “weekend warrior” games like basketball, tennis etc..
To improve posture and decrease mechanical strain on joints
To increase flexibly, especially in the hamstrings
To stave off injuries if they are a professional athlete.
To ground themselves into their bodies.
As a somatic tool to reduce stress and anxiety.
Pilates is for everyone and as more men embrace the conditioning regimen, they are finding the joy and satisfaction of a sound body that moves with grace and ease.
*In the late 90’s I trained with Ron Fletcher. At the time I didn’t fully appreciate his stature as the “Pilates elder”, but looking back I am grateful for the interaction.
*In the 90’-2000’s I trained a movie star for many years who loved Pilates, but his publicist wouldn’t let it be know that he was a Pilates enthusiast as it didn't match his macho on screen persona.
Nigel Sampson