We were recently featured on Connecticut For Sale, one of the top sites for Stamford, CT Real Estate. Check out the article here: Precision Fitness in a Precision Environment at Precisely...
Most men think Pilates is for women (at least those who’ve heard of Pilates), with lots of stretching and dance movements. In fact, Pilates was originally designed for injured soldiers returning from World War I by a boxer named Joseph Pilates (a man). The hallmarks of Pilates are: core strength, flexibility, balance, uniform development and efficient, graceful movement. Pilates emphasizes moving from the center of the body, the powerhouse and developing core strength in the deep muscles of the center to stabilize the trunk and protect the back. This kind of core training makes Pilates an excellent technique for full-body fitness, as well as conditioning for other activities such as weightlifting, running, golf and tennis. Pilates gives you the foundation you need to have fun without hurting yourself. Most men over 50 struggle with common issues – back pain, poor posture, a bloated waistline, low sex drive – and are generally disconnected with what their own bodies are telling them. Pilates is ideal for dealing with these conditions. It is a challenging workout, but easy on joints and poses little risk for injury (in fact, Pilates helps prevent injury in other activities). Pilates works toward functional fitness – a goal that should be important to men over 50. That is, the ability to have the strength, balance, and flexibility that allows men to move through daily activities with grace and ease. Though Pilates exercises do seek to increase flexibility and range of motion, you won’t be subjected to the uncomfortable stretches and poses you might find in yoga or dance. There is just nothing else like Pilates. It will...
As our tagline says, we strongly believe in the genius of Joe Pilates, but we are also committed to offering our students a variety of classes to stay challenged and engaged. We consult with experts throughout the country to develop routines to enhance our classical Pilates base. To that end, a few months ago we added barre classes and recently a jumpboard reformer class. Barre exercises have long been used by dancers to develop strength, stability and flexibility. Admit it, we’ve all admired dancers’ bodies. Our barre classes integrate classical dance movements, props such as weights and therabands, and Pilates mat work. Equally important, barre requires extreme focus, allowing you to take control of your body. We are strong proponents of staying active, including sports and other forms of exercise. In fact, Pilates will significantly improve your athletic capabilities. Recently, we’ve had a number of clients mention that they’ve been injured or sick, which has limited their activity. We have been looking at ways to offer a cardio component to our Pilates workouts, being no or low impact and still focusing on mind-body awareness. We are now offering a cardio jumpboard and reformer fusion class, which incorporates no-impact cardio with traditional reformer work. So, if you’re not ready to get back onto the tennis court, train for that half-marathon, or just want to add cardio to your routine, this class is perfect for you! Feedback has been wonderful for both classes! Come in and give them a...
The Facts Nearly 8 in 10 Americans suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. For many, it is chronic. Back pain is the #2 reason for doctors’ visits. According to a 2010 study by the World Health Organization, lower back pain is the number one cause of disability in the world. Nearly 50% of American workers complain of back pain and it is one of the most common reasons for missed work in the US. Americans spend over $50 billion each year trying to ease their back pain. But, the good news is that most back pain can be eased with regular exercise. Most cases of back pain are not caused by serious conditions such as disease, blood clots, or cancer which would require intensive medical treatment. The Research A 2014 study confirmed that Pilates offers greater improvements in pain and functional ability as compared to usual care and physical activity. According to a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Pilates is especially effective for low back pain because it strengthens your abdominal and back muscles and increases flexibility and balance. Susan Sorosky and colleagues in “Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine” (2008) Participants who practiced Pilates over a four-week period experienced more relief from their symptoms than those who went through typical treatment programs. End-of-study testing revealed that the Pilates participants had significantly lower levels of functional disability and pain intensity than the control subjects. According to a controlled study published in the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy (2006) Why Pilates is Effective Quite simply, Pilates promotes back health. It focuses on core...
truth: gyms don’t work! CNN reports that 80% of gym memberships go unused. The average cost of a gym membership is $60/month. What does that mean? People want to lose weight, feel better, look better, relieve back pain, but they do not like the gym environment. In fact, gyms don’t even want you to come and work out! The average commercial health club needs 10 times as many members as its facility can handle. That means they promise you the world to get you to sign up and then do everything they can to discourage you from coming. Those smiles from the membership salesperson and trainer during your initial consultation turn into rolled eyes and dirty looks as you try to find a space in a popular class. Beyond that initial consultation, do you ever get help from a trainer again? No! Not unless you buy personal training sessions, of course. And that’s $100/hour on top of your membership! Then there is the meat market aspect to going to a typical gym. Personally, I find a gym intimidating. Whether it is the gym rats who look at me like I am in their way or the lurkers who I want to get out of my way, I am just not comfortable there. I want to go somewhere I feel comfortable, am encouraged to work hard, make friends, feel part of a community and see results! This is what we’ve designed the studio to be. Come in, be part of a very small class where the trainer knows your name and gives you individualized instruction. Make friends, share a cup of...
