Hawaii Fitness Information

Last week, The New York Times reported that the US Army is making significant changes to the way it trains new recruits for physical fitness. Among the changes, Pilates exercises.

The  Army is incorporating more stretching exercises as well as abdominal and back exercises into it's training routines. Part of the aim is to reduce injuries in training which have increased significantly in recent years - in part because recruits are less fit when they enter the service.

There is no doubt in my mind that if the military teaches Pilates moves correctly there will be fewer injuries and less back pain, and balance and flexibility will increase. On the other hand, if they get in a hurry and take a "let's make it look like Pilates exercises" attitude, without getting the inner workings of Pilates, well, who knows? It might still help.

One thing I find particularly satisfying is the thought that the military might finally switch over from the traditional military push up to the Pilates push up. The Times article does specifically say that they are going to be doing "different kinds of push ups". Of course, one of my favorite ways to impress men who are doubtful about Pilates is to show differences between the Pilates and military push up. I might lose that impressive bit of "look how much harder Pilates is", but hey, that's OK.

I don't know exactly what exercises the guys are going to be doing, though the article does mention side twists (criss cross, spine twist, and chest lift with rotation), back bridges (pelvic curl and shoulder bridge), and rowing-like exercises (roll back is a classic).

If you or someone you know is getting ready for basic training, here are some exercises to get you started:

Pilates Fundamentals (easy, but are incredibly important)

Pilates Beginner Exercises

Abdominal Focus Exercises

Back Stretch and Strength Exercises

Pilates Stretches

And just to reassure everyone, Pilates has been fitness for men since the beginning. Read: Pilates and Men.

Military Brings in Pilates Moves originally appeared on About.com Pilates on Monday, September 6th, 2010 at 20:56:28.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

A book for beginners, Pilates, The Essential Guide introduces the fundamentals of Pilates exercise and includes exercise instructions for a basic beginner workout. I like some things about this book. I also think it has some weaknesses you might want to consider before buying. Read my review.

Read More Pilates Book Reviews

photo: Need 2 Know Books

New Book Review: Pilates, the Essential Guide originally appeared on About.com Pilates on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 16:34:15.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

10 Pilates exercises go from tip to toe, and front to back, with a Pilates workout that will start you on the road to increased  flexibility and strength with flat abs, toned thighs and a firm butt.
Learn the Tip to Toe Pilates Beginner Workout

Have the Exercise of the Week, along with other great Pilates info, sent directly to you each week in the Free Pilates Newsletter.

photo: Lara Kolesar, courtesy of Kolesar Studios

Exercise(s) of the Week: Tip to Toe Pilates Beginner Workout originally appeared on About.com Pilates on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 19:15:09.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Joseph Pilates is clear in his writings that he developed his method so that we could enjoy life and move through our daily tasks with grace and ease. Hopefully, that is what is happening for most of us. But you know what? It's not happening for everybody.

For some people, Pilates technique and practice becomes a kind of obsession. We get so wrapped up in being perfect that we lose the joy of movement, and ultimately the benefits we are working to achieve. A reader (and I thank her immensely) recently posted this heartbreaking example in the Pilates Forum: Read more...

Pilates - Mind Over "The Method"? originally appeared on About.com Pilates on Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at 20:04:30.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I love this exercise for how well the Pilates ring (magic circle)  helps us feel the engagement of the arms in the back, and teaches us to gather strength and support from the abdominal muscles and back.

Learn Straight Arm Press with Pilates Ring

Have the exercise of the week along with lots of other Pilates info sent directly to you each week in my Free Pilates Newsletter.

photo (c)2006, Marguerite Ogle

Exercise of the Week: Straight Arm Press with Pilates Ring originally appeared on About.com Pilates on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 at 16:39:37.

Permalink | Comment | Email this