The founder of the Pilates movement, Joseph Pilates said: “Physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.”

Let Saskatoon Pilates Centre help you find that “zest and pleasure”!

They are your Trusted Saskatoon Pilates and Health & wellness experts.

Here, they share another great tip on questions to ask before taking a Pilates Class:

What IS Pilates?

Not Designed to be Aerobic:

Pilates exercise was never designed to be aerobic nor did Joseph claim that his exercises were aerobic. Recent research has supported this statement in showing that Beginner Mat Pilates is low-moderate intensity and Intermediate and Advanced Mat work meets the criteria for moderate intensity activities (Olsen, et al 2003).

Not Only for the Elite or Wealthy:

Joseph Pilates suggested that everyone should do his exercises every day. To book a private session with a Pilates teacher should be considered in the same arena as booking time with a massage therapist or personal trainer for $50-$100 per hour. Pilates teachers also recommend that their clients practice Pilates exercises daily or at least 3-4 times per week at home to supplement their training in the studio.

Not Only for Healthy or Well:

Joseph Pilates also modified his exercise method based on whether his client had injuries. Pilates can be modified for unfit, post-trauma, post-disease, and elderly, and it has been shown to increase enjoyment and participation in exercise even for children (Ickes 2005, Jago 2005).

Pilates is Not Fusion:

Pilates is performed on a mat or apparatus that Joseph Pilates designed: Reformer, Trapeze Table, Wunda Chair, High Back Chair, Ladder Barrel, Half Barrel, Spine Corrector, Ped-O-Pul, Head Harness, Foot Corrector, Toe Corrector, Magic Circle, Bean Bag and Pinwheel. Pilates is not performed in a pool, on a small or large ball or combined with other forms of exercise and is still called Pilates. Today, it is certainly acceptable to apply the principles to all forms of movement, exercise, sports and daily life activities as Joseph intended.

Purist vs. Modified Pilates:

The PMA believes that Pilates should evolve along with the advances of modern science, maintaining the integrity of the method with the safety and health of its participants always in mind. This means that if an exercise is determined to be contra-indicated or unsafe, we will respect it as historical repertoire and modify it or delete it from any client’s program that might be injured by performing the exercise. 

Starting a gym membership can be exciting but also intimidating. Here are some Trusted Tips on taking that first step and finding the right gym for you.

• Whether you have tried a fitness regimen before or you’re starting at the gym for the very first time, before you choose a fitness center, you have to start with a goal. Without a goal you’ll have nothing to work towards, making the effort you put in seems like a total waste. Make your goal reasonable, attainable, and specific; and make sure you know the route to attaining it.

• It’s important to find a gym with an atmosphere that suits you. If you’re not comfortable in the gym, you won’t enjoy your experience, and then it won’t be long until you start to abandon your routine and your goals. See if the gym will offer you a trial pass or “test drive” that gives you enough time to feel it out and see if it’s the right fit for you.

• Pay attention to the not-so-obvious amenities when you’re looking into a new club. Big windows for natural light, what kind of music they play, and the cleanliness of the facility including washrooms and training area, a wide variety of equipment, and knowledgeable staff. Sometimes it’s these subtleties you might not have noticed at first but they can be the difference that makes it a club you want to make your home for years to come.

• Convenience! Is the club close to your house or work? If your gym is not easy to get to, you might not use it as much as you had planned. A gym within a stone’s throw of your home can be great, but also consider one that’s close to your workplace. This gives the option to get your workout in during your lunchtime or to avoid the traffic on the commute home after work.

• Once you have made your decision to join, make sure you read your membership agreement form. There are a lot of standard points on a membership form but many disclosures can change from gym to gym. First, pay attention to membership cancellation policies, sometimes these can be very strict which might not be a problem if you plan to be there for a few years. Watch out for unexpected annual fees; these should be explained in your membership. Ask if there is a membership freeze option and the cost of it. This allows you to suspend payments of your membership in the event you can’t use it due to injury or inability to make use of your membership for a short period.

Find Fitness Focus Health & Athletic Centre at 1250 Ontario Avenue, or check out their listing here in the Saskatoon Fitness & Gyms Category on THE Saskatoon directory of excellence. They are YOUR Trusted experts right here in Saskatoon!

Fitness Focus a Trusted Saskatoon Gym

Author: Jo Ann Graser, PMA®-CPT, PMA Board of Directors.  

As a business owner who offers both Pilates and yoga at my studio, I run into this question on a regular basis. My answer can be detailed or basic, depending on my audience. Here are some comparison points about the two disciplines based on my personal experience with both. For the purposes of this discussion, I am comparing yoga to Pilates on the apparatus.  

Origins

Equipment