Busting the stereotypes around men + Pilates
Pilates, often associated with graceful movements and flexibility, has long been misconstrued as a fitness activity reserved only for women - stemming largely from outdated notions of masculinity and fitness. To many, Pilates lacks the muscle-building and endurance components that are typically associated with "masculine" forms of exercise. But if you’ve tried Pilates - you’d know this couldn’t be further from the truth!
(Not so) Ironically, Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, a man, during the early 20th century. Initially used to rehabilitate injured soldiers, Pilates focuses on core strength, flexibility, and functional movement patterns – attributes that are crucial for anyone, regardless of gender. The practice targets deep muscles that are often neglected in traditional strength training, leading to improved posture, balance, and overall athleticism.
At Love Pilates, we have a small contingent of dedicated male clients who have seen the light and have integrated Pilates into their fitness regiment - mixing it in with walking, weight lifting, golf, cycling & running (& no - they weren’t coerced into pilates by their respective others - we checked!)
So we asked them what they see as the benefits of Pilates .- here’s what they had to say:
Six Benefits of Pilates for men:
Strength:
Pilates places a strong emphasis on core engagement, which is essential for stabilising the spine and improving overall strength. A strong core translates to better performance in other physical activities and reduced risk of injury.
Flexibility:
Many men struggle with flexibility, which can hinder performance and increase the likelihood of injury, especially as age becomes a ‘thing.’ Pilates promotes flexibility through controlled, elongating movements, helping to improve range of motion and joint mobility. 85% of our male clients cited improved flexibility since starting with Pilates (all have been attending less than 3 months) and one avid golfer said his range of motion as he swung the club was limited - but since starting pilates his ‘turning has improved dramatically.’
Injury Prevention:
By targeting smaller stabilising muscles, Pilates helps correct muscular imbalances and strengthens weak areas, reducing the risk of injuries – particularly common issues like lower back, neck and hip pain and joint strain.
Variety:
At Love Pilates we offer our clients a range of ways to practise Pilates - from the mat to reformer to tower - each bringing its own unique challenges and benefits. We’ve found that many of our male clients gravitate towards the tower as it feels more accessible, doesn’t involve a moving carriage and the independently sprung springs give a unilateral challenge that they can’t get elsewhere - that and the stretch the tower offers is next level! That being said - most of our guys like to mix it their week up with reformer and tower.
Mind-Body Connection:
Pilates is not just about physical strength; it also emphasizes mindfulness and body awareness. Men in particular often benefit from the mental focus required during Pilates sessions, leading to increased concentration, stress reduction, and better overall mental well-being - with one of our clients saying that he loved being in an environment where he ‘was off his device for an hour.’
Balance:
We often take our balance for granted thinking that when we have it - we keep it - but that’s not the case. Balance becomes increasingly important as we get older for fall prevention and even for daily activities like walking up and down stairs.
As more men discover the benefits of Pilates, the outdated stereotype of it being a feminine activity is gradually fading away - but not quick enough as far as we’re concerned!
Celebrities, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts – male and female alike – are increasingly embracing Pilates as an integral part of their training routines.
Our clients had this to say as words of encouragement for those guys still thinking Pilates isn’t ‘manly’ enough:
So chat to your husband, dad, brother, boyfriend or male friend and ask them what they’re waiting for? At Love Pilates we may love pink…but don’t they say real men wear pink? And we’d argue - real men do Pilates too!
