3 Tips for Men Starting Pilates Training
Is Pilates suitable for men? In recent years, the popularity of this discipline has been mainly driven by women – participants and instructors, which enhances the impression that Pilates is a sport for women. However, a closer look reveals that men can also benefit from many of its advantages.
The first man who gained both health and a beautifully sculpted body through this discipline is its creator – Joseph Pilates. For many years, it was men who primarily occupied the role of instructors and promoters of this method. Elite athletes, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, regularly train on Pilates machines. The film character James Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, also benefits from its advantages.
WHAT BENEFITS DOES PILATES OFFER MEN?
Strength, flexibility, balance, harmonious development, and efficient movement patterns – would you like to achieve these qualities? Pilates develops all of them, making it a sport of great importance for men’s fitness.
Many typically male workouts focus on specific muscle groups, such as during weightlifting. In the case of Pilates, it is essential to develop movement from the core of the body, which means developing deep muscles that stabilize the torso and protect the back.
Pilates is therefore an excellent technique when you want to achieve overall body fitness. It is worth combining it with other types of sports and exercises to achieve even better results. Thanks to it, your figure will have the right proportions. You will also notice an improvement in your well-being and an increase in energy.
For many men, undoubtedly one of the greatest advantages will be the fact that Pilates wonderfully develops the six-pack, or abdominal muscles. Pilates beautifully sculpts the abdomen, developing both superficial and deep muscles.
When starting Pilates training, pay attention to an important element – increasing flexibility. Achieving it can be challenging for men who do not feel comfortable practicing gymnastics or yoga. Similar effects of increasing the range of motion are provided by the exercises proposed in Pilates on reformers, but their course is much more suited to men.
Pilates aims for functional fitness. This means that thanks to it, you will combine strength, balance, and flexibility to easily perform all activities and tackle daily challenges without limitations. Ready to start your Pilates training?
3 TIPS TO HELP YOU START PILATES TRAINING
The unknown always raises doubts. Eliminate them by using our three tips. With them, you will feel confident right from your first class on the reformers.
1. Look for the right group for you
The best way to start your Pilates journey is to sign up for group classes. To feel comfortable, look for a group that suits you. Be prepared for the fact that in many of them, the number of women significantly exceeds the number of men. If this is a problem for you, join one where at least a few men are practicing or consider individual classes – at least at the beginning.
2. Believe in your abilities
There is nothing special about Pilates training for men, especially at the beginning. There are no significant differences between exercises for women and men – the method is the same for everyone. To feel even more confident, keep in mind that these exercises were developed for the male body – so there is no need to worry that they won’t work with it.
Pilates is based on general principles of healthy movement for the human body. Although men may find that their muscles are somewhat less flexible than women’s (especially in the hips and hamstrings), Pilates can effectively address this. Appropriately selected exercises will gradually stretch these areas and allow you to sculpt your body in a harmonious way.
3. Be ready for new challenges
Perhaps your previous training methods have accustomed you to decisive exercises that primarily engage the superficial muscles of the body, as in gym training. When practicing Pilates, you will encounter a slightly different approach. It is worth remembering that Pilates is a practice of both body and mind, requiring focus and full attention.
In Pilates, the most important thing is controlled, well-aligned movement. It happens that the lightest setting on the device, such as the reformer, will be the biggest challenge for the precise work of your muscles.
There are many reasons why it is worth practicing Pilates as a man. Relaxation, strengthening, and a beautiful body are just some of them. By choosing Pilates, you are reaching for a ticket to a deeper level of fitness than in other disciplines.
I am a graduate in Managerial Economics as well as Finance and Accounting, with a specialization in Marketing. Since 2018, I have been working as a Copywriter at Balanced Body, where I create marketing content for the fitness and Pilates industries. One of my particular strengths is translating complex topics into accessible language and accurately analyzing the needs of target audiences. Outside of work, I am passionate about fire shows and volleyball, which helps me better understand the needs of physically active people.