These days there are more varieties of our favourite exercise than you can shake a Pilates ball at — though whatever the fashion, we still think it’s hard to beat Classical Pilates. Here’s a summary of some of the ever-expanding forms of hybrid Pilates. Solidcore, Pilates/HIIT White Lotus and Euphoria actor Sydney Sweeney uses SolidCore,...

“If at the age of 30 you are stiff and out of shape you are old. If at 60 you are supple and strong then you are young,” reflected Joseph Pilates. The founder of Pilates, or contrology as it was then known, was convinced that his exercises could help with the problems of ageing. He...

Most of us don’t do Pilates to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pumping iron is more commonly associated with bulging biceps. But whether Pilates can improve your muscle strength or even lengthen muscles has been a matter of some debate. The Independent recently ran a feature headed, “Think Pilates gains are incompatible? Think again.” It pointed...

Many people come to Pilates after suffering from a bad back. It’s estimated that 80 per cent of us will at some point have back pain, particularly if you sit at a desk all day. So how can Pilates help? Pilates can work around the back rather than just on it. Typically someone with a...

Welcome to the July edition of Pilates Central News. In this edition: Mat versus Reformer Pilates Polly Good Reality Pilates My Kind of Studio Mat versus Reformer Pilates A common question for those new to Pilates is what is the difference between mat and Reformer Pilates. Mat Pilates is great for accessibility as all you...

A common question for those new to Pilates is what is the difference between mat and Reformer Pilates. Mat Pilates is great for accessibility as all you need is, as the name implies, a mat — and possibly a few bits of equipment such as a Pilates ball. Mat Pilates uses your body weight for...

Many people start Pilates without knowing too much about Joseph Pilates the man. So we thought you might like to know a few facts about his eventful life. Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. He was apparently quite a sickly child with asthma but then became a keen gymnast and boxer. At the...

Welcome to the March edition of Pilates Central News. In this edition: Divas do Pilates Rolling Stones Standard Pilates We’ve got male Divas do Pilates LIFE magazine has reproduced some fascinating pictures of Joseph Pilates training the opera singer Roberta Peters. The pictures were taken for a 1951 LIFE article headlined “Diva With Muscle.” Peters...

Welcome to the February edition of Pilates Central News. In this edition: Mean Pilates Core Values Martha blaster Trading up Mean Pilates The remake of the film Mean Girls is proving a big hit, while one of the stars of the original 2004 film, Lindsey Lohan, has wowed the media with her post-baby look. Lohan...

Welcome to our Pilates news from around the world, January edition. In this issue: New Year Pilates Doctor in the house Paddling Pilates Reformer club New Year Pilates “Get fit from scratch in 12 easy steps,” writes Zoe Williams tackling New Year fitness resolutions in the Guardian. After walking, breathwork and circuits for the first...