About Pilates

What exactly is Pilates?

Pilates is a form of exercise that helps lengthen and strengthen the muscles in the body while creating mobility and flexibility at the same time.  Pilates will restore balance to the body through movement, especially in the spine.  This type of workout is focused on addressing underlying imbalances in the body that over time create stiffness and pain that we all are too familiar with.  By lengthening and strengthening, creating movement in the spine, as well as focusing on the small stabilizer muscles, this type of workout will improve posture, everyday movement patterns, and overall, more body awareness. 

Every class will incorporate the Principles of Pilates which are:

Breath

Concentration

Centering

Control

Precision

Flow

What is a Reformer?

At FreedomCore we are excited to bring reformer workouts!  What exactly does this mean?  Well, the reformer is great for everyone, including people with injuries and limitations.  The reformer is a spring resistance machine made for various exercise, ensuring an entire full body workout every class.  This is a low impact exercise but highly beneficial to EVERYBODY.  On the reformer, you will be able to get the entire body moving by laying down, laying on your side (working one side at a time to bring even more balance to the body), sitting comfortably, and standing.  Although we may lay down or even sit at times, don’t be fooled.  Pilates is meant to be challenging to the mind and the body (in a good way) if done properly.  

What are the benefits of Pilates?

The benefits include:

Improving posture, body awareness, balance, coordination

Correcting movement patterns which can be very helpful in everyday life such as picking up children or grandchildren, unloading heavy things from our car, picking heavy items up from the ground, and even sitting at your desk or in the car.

Strengthens and lengthens muscles

Elongates the spine (some have reported growing a few inches although this is NOT guaranteed)

Helps manage injuries, past surgeries, or illness.  Instructors are trained to give modifications for any injury to ensure everyone can participate.

Starting Out Recommendations

If you are completely new to Pilates and have never tried it before, number 1 we recommend coming in for your FREE 30 Min Introductory to Reformer class so you can experience this wonderful machine for yourself. 

It is recommended to attend at least 10 classes before you see and feel results.

Practicing Pilates regularly will ultimately give the most benefit.  Yes, some people fall in love with it so much they do it every single day.

History of Joseph Pilates

Yes, if you did not know Pilates is actually the last name of the man who invented the entire movement.  His name is Joseph Pilates.  He was born in 1883 in Germany.  As a child he suffered from asthma (narrowing of airway), rickets (softening of the bones), and rheumatic fever (disease causing painful joints).  He was determined not to let these illnesses get the best of him so he became a gymnast, diver, and skier.

During World War I, he worked with injured soldiers including those who could not walk.  He helped rehabilitate them by attaching springs to the beds to help create movement and strength even though they could not walk.  This is what the machines we use in Pilates today are based off.

In the 1920s, Joseph and his wife Clara moved to New York where they opened a “body-conditioning gym” that focused on rehabilitative work for gymnasts and dancers.  This became his life work.

In 1967 Joseph Pilates passed away.  His entire life he called his work “Contrology” meaning the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.  In his passing, Contrology was renamed Pilates in his memory.