Pilates IS for Men

Pilates IS for Men

February 2015 Scoop
Pilates Empowerment
by Kerry De Vivo


On Sunday, at a Superbowl party, a friend told me he had to get started with Pilates as he was having some low back pain.  He then said the words that I don't like to hear, 

"I need to do Pilates even though it's not for men".  

BRACE FOR IMPACT!!

Well, as you could imagine, I quickly gave my friend an education on that topic.  What I want men to know is that 

Pilates was created by a man for men and women. 

My first Pilates teacher was a man, Steve Giordano.  It never occurred to me that Pilates was anything other than a co-ed form of exercise.  In fact, the extreme level of athleticism that Pilates reaches is a remarkable accomplishment for any man or any woman.  To be able to do these very progressed exercises requires strength.  Not just any old strength will do, it requires integrated strength.  These exercises also require flexibility, coordination, mental focus, among other necessary ingredients.

NEWS FLASH: these ingredients are required in exercises at all levels.

SO LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT

Joseph Pilates, the developer of this system of physical and mental body conditioning, was a man.  Look at any photo of Joe and you’ll see he was a man proud of his physique, strength, flexibility and athleticism.  He drank beer, smoked cigars, was a boxer, skier, diver and those are just a few of the activities he enjoyed.

I agree, there are many articles and photos of people doing Pilates and these photos often do not include men.  And this could be part of why men feel Pilates is a women’s exercise that they can use IF they are injured enough that they have to come in.  But..... you know there are a lot of male athletes that use Pilates for injury prevention and to improve their sport.  I have taught professional football players.  One said Pilates was harder than football practice.  But don’t let that scare you away, a well trained Pilates teacher knows how to guide a client of any fitness level through a safe and effective workout.  Read this article  about several male athletes who had life changing experiences doing Pilates.  It's very inspiring.

Some of my male clients have included athletes, doctors, corporate executives, retirees, attorneys, politicians.  People looking to find a workout that will support the activities they enjoy and allow them to do it longer.  Some use Pilates as a transitionary workout away from the high impact workouts into something that is high in result but low in impact.  Some have been dragged in by their spouse, but usually become equally or more devoted to Pilates.  Some begin inspired by pain.  Whatever the reason, there is a vast repertoire for everyone to use in Pilates. 

O.K. so, no sooner do I finish “educating” my friend on the fact that Pilates IS for men, he said, “oh it’s mostly for dancers”.....  

we’ll... let’s just make that another blog post :)

Actually, I informed him that the dance community caught on early to Joe’s work.  When Joe moved to the U.S.A. in the mid-1920s, he established his studio in New York City near the New York City Ballet.  So, yes, the dance community caught on early.  But, I don’t currently teach a single dancer and Joe's client base was diverse.  I teach men and women of all ages, abilities, athletes, non-athletes, you name it.  I always say Pilates is for EVERY body.  

Currently in most Pilates studios around the country, there are more female clients than male clients.  Come on guys, tip those scales, make Pilates the men’s workout it was also intended to be.  

I dare you!