Why Should Athletes Take Pilates?

Severna Park is a home to athletes of all sorts. From the student athletes that start playing team sports as young as 5 years old, to the runners, cyclists and triathletes who populate the B&A Trail year round, athletes abound. Many of these athletes are currently working with Debi Vincent at Active Body and Health on Ritchie Highway.

I asked Vincent why so many athletes, especially elite athletes are adding Pilates to their routines.

"Elite athletes have incorporated Pilates in their training programs for years," she told me. "It is essential for athletes to be well rounded in their training. Pilates allows an athlete to improve their overall strength, coordination, balance, flexibility, and core stability. There are not many programs that offer the benefits of Pilates."

Pilates was started by Joseph Pilates in the first half of the 20th century. Joseph Pilates moved to the United States shortly after World War II. He started working with dancers, boxers and other athletes, teaching them to move and exercise the way he believed would be most beneficial. No two athletes worked out exactly the same. He based their workouts off their particular needs with a focus on doing each exercise perfectly.

You will see this same focus in the Pilates being taught today. Whereas many programs focus on numerous repetitions of a particular exercise Pilates focuses on doing a few but with total focus and concentration. This often means an athlete is not sore the next day and when the workout is over may even feel as though they didn't workout hard. However the next day they will find themselves moving with more ease and feeling stronger than they expected and maybe even noticing themselves standing and sitting taller.

According to Vincent, "Joseph Pilates' method is a series of exercises linked together intelligently with purpose. It is designed to lengthen and strengthen muscles while incorporating a multitude of principles such as concentration, control, centering, rhythm, breath and flowing movement."

It is this combination of principles that makes it a perfect program for athletes of all abilities.

Vincent believes that athletes are better coming into Pilates than your average Joe off the street because they are already in tune with their body. They understand form and the method "clicks" for them faster than the average person. However, she has seen the benefits of Pilates on students who start directly from the couch as well.

"Pilates truly is good for every person who is interested in taking it. It may take longer to click for someone who hasn't exercised before, but when they get it they will find a pure joy in completing a routine."

To learn more about the Pilates Program at Active Body and Health visit their Website.