Pilates (cont.)
What credentials should I look for in an instructor?
Currently, there is no single agency certifying Pilates instructors, and so
instructors can have a variety of experience and training. According to the
Pilates Method Alliance (an international nonprofit professional association
for the Pilates method), instructors should be able to
- accurately assess a client's posture and movement patterns,
- understand what the client is doing in a session,
- have the ability to build an appropriate, client-specific program, and
- pace the workout for an effective movement experience
.
Ask a potential instructor how long their training was and how much practical
experience they have if you're concerned about their credentials. Obviously, a
weekend retreat to learn mat Pilates is not the same as a comprehensive one-year
program that includes anatomy and physiology and hundreds of hours of working on
the machines and the mats.
Where do I do Pilates?
Pilates is growing in popularity, and so most large fitness centers with an
aerobics program offer Pilates mat classes. The larger centers might also have a
dedicated Pilates room with machines, or at least some Pilates equipment on the
main gym floor. If your local fitness center doesn't offer Pilates, check online
for Pilates studios in your area. Many studios and fitness centers offer group
sessions at discount rates, so be sure to check for those. Individual sessions
are also available for the mat or machines, and so if you feel you need extra
attention, you can ask for that. Individual fees range from $65 to $125 dollars
per hour depending upon the experience of the instructor and whether you do it
at the gym or at a private studio.
Are there other types of Pilates?
American ingenuity has worked its way into Pilates. There's Pilates on the
ball, yoga Pilates, and even Pilates with exercise bands. These are not what
Joseph Pilates had in mind, but I don't know of any downside, and if they
provide you with variety and alternatives, you like them, and they get you
to work out, then I recommend giving one of them a try or sticking with it if
one is working for you.
Exercise & Fitness RSS
