Pilates and Strength Training

Pilates and Strength Training

Traditional strength training focuses primarily on strengthening the large power muscles. These muscles are often recruited with high loads. Exercisers get instant feedback from their work, as it is easy to feel the muscles working.

Pilates is a bit different. There is a focus on recruiting stabilizing muscles, which are stimulated at low loads. Form is highly important, and it is never sacrificed in order to increase loads on the power muscles. As a result, participants that are used to working muscles to exhaustion in a traditional gym setting may come away from a session feeling like they did not adequately work their muscles.

The start position is paramount when performing any Pilates exercise. In fact, it is so important that props may be used to ensure that the exerciser is in the right position before beginning work. This means that a person who cannot sit up straight because of tight hip flexors may sit on a pillow or platform. Someone with a forward head may have a pad under his head to enable him to hold it in a neutral position.

As exercise commences, stability becomes important. The stabilizing muscles must be recruited to ensure that the exerciser can remain in proper positioning while performing the exercise. This takes a great deal of concentration. It also requires strong stabilizing muscles. If the exerciser cannot perform the exercise without correct form, resistance is reduced.