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September Highlights

• Booming Pilates
• Stone Love
• Body building

Booming Pilates

“Is Pilates as good as everyone says?” asks the New York Times. We all know the answer to that, and the New York Times agrees, concluding: “Who can benefit from Pilates? The short answer is: everyone. Really. Pilates can be tailored to a spectrum of fitness goals, ages and abilities — professional dancers, athletes, pregnant women, octogenarians looking to improve their balance.”

Pilates is “having a moment” says the feature, even though a few years ago, “doomsayers predicted a ‘Pilatespocalypse’ as newer and sweatier fitness trends, like spinning and boot camps, exploded.” Cedric Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise tells the NYT that thanks in part to the pandemic, “many people’s exercise priorities have shifted from intense, calorie-burning workouts to activities that also foster a mind-body connection.”

The NYT also quotes Carrie Samper, the director of Pilates education for Equinox, as saying: “Any body can do it. You don’t have to be 25 and a Cirque du Soleil dancer. You can be 85 and start doing Pilates.” It mentions how Pilates can improve muscle endurance and flexibility, reduce chronic pain and lessen depression. The glowing piece also admiringly quotes Joseph Pilates’ maxim: “In 10 sessions, you feel better, 20 sessions you look better, 30 sessions you have a completely new body.”

Stone Love

“Sharon Stone looked better than ever at Cannes. Here’s how she stays in incredible shape at 64,” read the headline in Hello! after the actress looked super-toned on the red carpet at the recent film festival, showing off her “killer legs” in a slit gown. One of her health secrets is of course Pilates.

Stone had a brain haemorrhage in 2001 but has since adopted a super-healthy regime, including giving up alcohol. She told WebMD of her daily Pilates regime: “On a good day I might work really hard for an hour and 15 minutes on a Pilates machine. If my body doesn’t feel willing, I might do stretches for 30 to 40 minutes. Like everybody, I have good days and not-so-good days. I really believe you have to listen to your body.”

The star of Basic Instinct and Casino has tweeted pictures of herself on a Reformer machine at the Wild Heart Pilates studio in LA, and benefits from a sound attitude to ageing. She told The Hollywood Reporter: “I was in an ICU for nine days and the survival rate for what I went through is very low. I don’t need someone to make me feel bad about growing older. I’ll tell you what makes you feel bad: when you think you might not… I don’t choose to make growing older a negative. I choose to get older. Getting older is my goal.” And she’s certainly looking good on it.

Body building

“UK builders go WOKE,” declared a recent headline in the Daily Mail. Among the revelations in a Toolstation survey of 2000 mainly male builders was the fact that, “one in ten builders now start the day with stretches, practising either Pilates or yoga, while a similar number meditate.” In a further blow to stereotypes, the Mail reported: “Three quarters said they regularly discussed emotions with colleagues; two-thirds shun fried breakfasts; and one in five is an art-lover… One in three reported being either vegetarian or to eating meat less than twice a week.” While only four out of ten drove a white van, the others preferring black or grey vans.

We’re not sure that Pilates should qualify as woke, but it’s no surprise that builders are turning to Pilates as a lot of their day is spent stretching and lifting. Indeed the “builders’ bum” stereotype of old might have to be replaced with builders’ toned glutes. And after all, Joseph Pilates was a bit of a handyman himself. He improvised with hospital beds and springs to make the first prototype Reformer machines and in 1946 invented the Wunda chair. He also built much of the furniture in his home. All builders are of course welcome at Pilates Central, with or without white vans  — and we promise not to add anything on the bill for VAT and materials.

 

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The Pilates Central Team