The Center for Health & Wellness offers individual Pilates exercise programs by Certified Pilates Instructors
What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise technique based on movements and exercises that emphasize the best possible posture, alignment and strength of the muscles of the abdomen and back. These are often called the core muscles. People with back pain and poor posture may benefit from this technique. Pilates is named after its founder, Joseph Pilates, who developed the technique in the early 1900s.
Core strengthening: More than just a crunch
When you walk or run, you're probably thinking more about putting one foot down in front of the other than you are about your core muscles. But did you know that your core is where all movement in your body originates? Not only that, but when you run -- or walk, ride a bike or skip across a room -- your core muscles are hard at work, keeping you upright, stabilizing your body as your weight shifts and absorbing impact from ground forces.
Over time, a weak core can make you susceptible to poor posture and injury. For instance, the weaker your core muscles, the more likely you are to experience lower back pain. Strong core muscles keep you protected from such injuries.
"The best brace you can give yourself is your muscle brace -- the best corset is your muscle corset," says Edward Laskowski, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and co-director of the Sports Medicine Center at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Learning how to identify and properly activate your core muscles is the first step. Then you can practice this technique while learning some basic exercises. By enhancing your core strength, you'll be on your way to greater fitness.
Understanding your core
Even if you have muscular arms and legs, if your core muscles are weak, you won't be able to move as efficiently -- your muscles won't respond as readily to the task at hand. A strong core creates the stabilization necessary to carry your groceries or pick up your toddler -- not to mention going the distance while playing tennis or jogging.
Core strengthening is about working your muscles from the inside out. The muscles targeted in core strengthening exercises are those in your trunk -- they're layered, overlapping and connected to each other.
Rather than isolate each muscle group in your trunk, the best exercises for your core are those that get your whole system working together at the same time.
The muscle most targeted in core strengthening is your transversus abdominis -- the muscle deep in your abdomen that encircles your trunk like hoops on a barrel.