Pilates for Men

Pilates is an exceptional exercise technique for core strengthening, flexibility, and developing a lean, strong physique. Pilates best trains seven physical performance factors: posture, balance, mobility/flexibility, stability, coordination, functional strength and endurance. For elite athletes, theses skills are essential; but all people will benefit from training these essential skills.

Women have gravitated towards Pilates because intuitively they know that they are prone to spinal instability, rotated pelvis and knock-knees due to the inherent issues in a body designed for childbearing. Men have different issues. Most men have limited flexibility, weak pelvic floor musculature and lack of postural muscles, which eventually leads to injury. There is a growing trend for men doing Pilates. Many professional football, basketball and alpine ski teams are practicing Pilates. Tiger Woods, perhaps the greatest golfer of all time has incorporated Pilates into his training program.

Most men who exercise regularly are strong but tight. They have built the body from the “outside” and not from the “inside” as is done in Pilates. Some men have said “I have been lifting weights for 20 years but I feel there is something missing.”…. It’s called flexibility!

Most men have incredibly tight hamstring muscles and cannot sit straight with their legs outstretched. Though strength training is very important, lengthening the muscles through stretching is equally as important. There is also the issue of prostate cancer, which concerns men over 50. It is believed that the atrophy of the pelvic floor muscles is a key factor in this disease. Pilates also enhances sexual function; therefore, it is possible that sexual dysfunction may be reduced by practicing Pilates. Any sport or activity of a physical nature is improved by Pilates. The secret is that Pilates, done correctly, gives you everything you need to play a sport better and avoid injury. And it can improve the quality of life even if you don’t play a sport.