What is Pilates?

Have you heard a lot about Pilates, but are you still unsure about what it is? Get an overview of the history, methods and training methods as well as the equipment we use.

The history of Pilates

Pilates is still one of the most effective ways to strengthen the body and improve posture. It combines strength, flexibility and control in a way that produces results for everyone.

Pilates is an all-round training system designed to lengthen, strengthen and rebuild. Pilates gives you the most optimal abdominal and back workout, but can do much more than just build a strong core and perfect posture. Pilates training is for everyone and develops the body to become the best version of itself. The workout is functional and is based more on movements than the individual donuts. The training equipment consists of various devices for sitting, lying and standing, most of which are mounted on springs that can be used as assistance and resistance in the workout.

Pilates strengthens the whole body, body awareness and, according to the founder himself, improves the practitioner's quality of life.

READ THE STORY OF JOSEPH PILATES AS HE TOLD IT HIMSELF.

Joseph Pilates (1883-1967) was born in Mönchengladbach. His mother was a biopath and his father was a doctor. As a child, he suffered from asthma and other ailments, but with a healthy lifestyle and plenty of exercise, he became a strong athlete and managed to defy his illnesses and weaknesses.

He developed his own training methods with a background in a variety of sports, combined with studies of human and animal physiology, movement and anatomy.

Joseph Pilates travelled around with a circus troupe performing as a strongman, and it was with this troupe that he was interned in a military camp in England during the First World War. His resources were quickly recognised and he was put in charge of physical training and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. In this context, Pilates developed much of his famous training equipment, including the Universal Reformer, the most famous of his training tools.

Joseph Pilates trained Hamburg's military police from 1919-1925 and travelled to New York in 1925, where he opened his first American training studio with his own training method. He quickly became popular among elite dancers and continued to develop unique training methods throughout his life and never stopped developing his specialised training equipment.

Pilates managed to train and educate two students, Kathy Grant & Lolita San Miguel in the method he wanted to pass on. In addition, many of his students, as well as his wife Clara Pilates, have passed on and taught the method that created, and still creates, such unique results.

More and more people are realising the unique properties of the training method now known as Pilates.

At Pilates Cph we are classically trained. However, over the years we have taken many courses and continuing education programmes in Contemporary Pilates. This means that we now master and use both in our teaching. In our experience, we are all different and have different needs, so both Pilates methods have their place. In our Instructor training we teach the classical system in terms of exercise selection and sequence. We combine this with theory from our many courses and further education programmes. Naturally, we also incorporate current knowledge about biomechanics and the correct use of the body.

Read more about the two Pilates methods below:

Classical Pilates

Classical Pilates stays as close as possible to Joseph Pilates’ original work. That is, his original exercises and the order in which they were performed. There are slight variations according to different sources about what the exact sequence is, what purpose certain exercises had exactly and how they should be performed. And there is still debate about which version is the “correct” or classic version.

Contemporary/Modern Pilates

Contemporary/Modern Pilates is based on the exercises of Joseph Pilates, but has been modernised by adjusting the exercises according to recent research and has a strong influence from physiotherapy and bio-mechanics. Many exercises are the same and new ones have been added. By breaking the Pilates system, it is today the best tool whether you are recovering from an injury/surgery or looking for intelligent high-level training.

PILATES AS REHABILITATION

Pilates is a natural complement to physiotherapy, helping you integrate the therapist's treatment and exercise therapy into a holistic training system that brings you back to optimal fitness.

At Pilates Cph we have our own team of trained therapists, and both our physiotherapist and psychomotor therapist are highly specialised in using the Pilates method as a link between treatment and training.

Our treatment team is also behind the studio's instructor training programmes and continuously supervises and guides the entire instructor team. This way, we can guarantee that you are always in the best hands when you come to Pilates to get fit after an injury.

With the Pilates method, we train you with respect for a given injury and correct the reason why the injury occurred in the first place.

Pilates is particularly good for back and neck issues, and the cornerstone is a huge focus on the flexibility, strength and adaptability of the back.

Pilates is also a thorough and holistic form of exercise that also addresses hip, knee and shoulder pain, for example.

At Pilates Cph, we always look at the whole body, no matter what injury you have. All imbalances, injuries and imbalances can ‘rub off’ on the rest of the body.

PILATES AS A FORM OF EXERCISE

Pilates is for everyone - from top athletes to those who sit in an office all day.

We also offer

Equipment

Much of the training equipment is still in production and is primarily used for Pilates training. In some places, the equipment is used for Pilates-inspired fitness.

The advanced spring systems and moving surfaces that are varied in size and difficulty make it easy to identify your body's needs. We can see exactly which muscle and joint needs strength/mobility/stability, which major and minor movements need to be optimised, and the equipment and specific training developed for it makes it easy to incorporate better movements.

At Pilates Cph you can practice Pilates on the following equipment - THIS IS PRIMARILY ON PRIVATE and DUET HOURS

Reformers - The Reformer was originally created on a bed frame with a mattress that rolls back and forth on a pair of rails. At one end there are springs and at the other a set of straps. The springs provide resistance for some exercises and assistance for others.

Cadillac/Trapeze Table The Cadillac/Trapeze Table consists of a mattress and a cube-shaped frame with springs at both ends and at the top. With three different trapezes attached, you can train a wide range of movements, from very small ones, where you can work with a single joint in detail and precision, to large, complex series that require advanced control and function of muscles, joints and coordination.

Tower Unit - Tower Unit is the name of a smaller variation of the Cadillac. It consists of a mattress and has just two trapezes and springs on a single vertical frame. It allows you to train a large part of the very advanced repertoire.

High Chair and Wunda Chair - consists of a chair seat and a large pedal, which is mounted on a plate on the floor, fitted with springs. The plate used in training can be tilted up and down using either arms or legs. The whole body can be exercised on these chairs and the small support surface challenges both strength and balance. The chair also provides a base for the most nutritious back workout.

Arm Chair - is a smaller chair, also fitted with springs. On this chair, it is the backrest that is movable and the chair is primarily used for training the arms, shoulders and back.

Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and Small Barrel - Barrels are, as the name suggests, training equipment based on barrels. These are specially designed to strengthen and mobilise the spine, as well as strengthen the pelvis and upper back.

Ped-o-pull - is a vertical stand on a floor plate with springs for the arms. Used to train shoulder stability, spine and various techniques for squats/squats.

Foot Corrector - is a foot plate with spring resistance used to strengthen the feet and legs.

Toe-Gizmo - is a smaller spring system that strengthens and mobilises the toes and integrates hip and foot movements for a better walking pattern.

Props

Pilates training is performed on both spring-assisted equipment and mats, and usually involves smaller equipment, here called ‘props’.

In Pilates Cph you can train Pilates with the following props in our classes:

Arc Barrels - Based on the original Pilates Spine Corrector. Exercises and mobilises the spine, integrating shoulders and arms, pelvis and legs.

Springboards (a Reformer on the wall) - based on the original Tower Units, and consists of wooden plates on the wall with attached springs.

Magic Circle - Original Pilates equipment. Constructed from a barrel band and used for training shoulders/arms, legs and pelvis in particular.

Scales - Light weights stabilise the shoulders and pelvis, and strengthen the abdomen and back in selected exercises.

Foam Roll - a back length roller used to train balance, mobilise and optimise spinal movement.

Balls - Balls of all sizes and hardnesses are used to strengthen, balance, mobilise and create awareness of specific muscles and joints.

Elastic bands - Elastic bands of different lengths and thicknesses are used to strengthen the pelvis and upper back, as well as integrating and improving arm and leg movements.

Become a Pilates instructor with Matwork Cph™

If your spine is stiff at 30, you are old. If it is flexible at 60, you are young.

Joseph Hubertus Pilates

(1880-1967)

Regular practitioners of Pilates feel a heightened sense of awareness and ease in their bodies, experiencing less pain and increased mobility. This freedom ultimately leads to increased satisfaction in life!

Joseph Hubertus Pilates

(1880-1967)

After 10 lessons you feel better, after 20 you look better - and after 30 lessons you have a new body