Pilates... Lord of the Rings

According to Lord of Rings (if you are a fan)… “men” were second to the elves - who were immortal and not susceptible to disease. Okay, that’s probably cutting Tolkien’s three volumes and thousands of pages pretty short (but you get the drift).

I think of this because the phrase “Lord of the Rings” reminds me of Joseph Pilates (Lord of the ‘Pilates’ rings) - the man who founded the Pilates movement and shouted loud its health benefits to the world. In some respects, Pilates epitomises the elvish goals of anti-ageing and disease prevention perfectly.

However, despite its founder being a man who wanted his method of ‘Contrology’ to be for everyone, when it comes to Pilates, men too seem to be the second people with females certainly leading the Pilates charge.

Women around the world embrace and master this amazing form of exercise and full kudos to them. In our studio, certainly, the percentage of female members outweighs the men, but why should we (or I) accept that as the norm?

Men, it’s time to step up to the reformer

Men our time has come to cast aside previous assumptions, misunderstood benefits or this association that Pilates is for females only. Like in Lord of the Rings it is time for men to align and stand side by side with their fellow elvish women. 

So fellas… sportsmen, weekend warriors, old blokes and young blokes, dads, grandads (whatever describes you), I am telling you that Pilates is here to help. Perhaps often thought of as a sanctuary for females to get their strengthening, toning, flexibility and core strength improved, Pilates offers all the same benefits to men. We’re starting to see a gradual growing acceptance for men to enter this domain (Pilates&Co has a few male instructors, of which I am one, and members), but I would love to see more guys take up the mantle.

Pilates has worked wonders for me

As a fellow male and keen exerciser, surfer, runner and a mid-forties dad I have experienced Pilates first hand; the enjoyment, improvement and balance this gives me to maintaining a healthy physical and mental state. I have found it amazing at resolving some imbalances, tweaks, niggles that have seemed to accumulate or come and go with no reason. And as a teacher, this is what I see and hear each day from both males and females.

So men... what is stopping you from doing Pilates?

Is it the grip socks we need to wear? The traditional links to dancing and ballet? Do you think it’s not intense enough OR maybe too difficult for you? Obviously some forms of exercise are just not for some people, which of course is totally acceptable... BUT if you are on the fence to considering Pilates or wanted that extra nudge, then consider this it!

As ‘men’ we can often consider ourselves too big, too strong and are condescending towards things traditionally considered a women’s domain. However, I wanted to share a few stories of fellow men that might resonate with you. It is those with an open mind, perhaps less concerned about the views of others as they simply put themselves first to resolve an injury, a weakness or problem they have heard Pilates can assist with.

What the other guys say…

Here are just a couple of advocates and firsthand experiences at Pilates & Co:

Late-forties, chef (standing all day), dad (busy), keen stand-up paddleboard surfer (active). “I’m amazed at the continual variation Pilates provides over the past 2 years that I’ve been regularly coming. I was already active but my posture needed improvement, my hips and feet gave me agony and now I swear by it. I leave every session energised, mobile, challenged and my body can just function so much better”

Early-fifties, teacher (hunched over desk sitting), dad (busy), runner (active but repetitive). “I’m stuffed, I thought as my back gave me grief, my times running declined and my neck and shoulder roll curvature became more pronounced. My wife had been on about Pilates for years and I finally made this leap of faith outside my routine in the ‘hope’ for improvement. Wow, I felt amazing after my first session and made some improvements quickly but I soon realised I also have years of poor posture and single direction muscle imbalance to overcome and Pilates showed me these weaknesses but I saw and felt how I turn them around”

Late-twenties, standing-all-day job (busy and always moving), dad (busy) and avid sportsman. “I have an old knee injury that is catching up with me, my strength and balance in my legs both at work have reduced my confidence. I did Pilates for my rehab when I was first injured and recently decided I needed to stop my decline and get much-needed function back and it has worked wonders for me again. My core strength, balance have improved, I’m moving into positions more easily that used to challenge me and best of all I’m feeling strong at work all day and not compromised by my body.”

The final word on Pilates and men

Remember Pilates is just Movement and #movementismedicine and especially more beneficial when movements are more varied and include more integrated total body which is why many athletes make Pilates part of their weekly training schedule and why is can complement yours. I’m yet to meet a man who couldn’t improve themselves physically. There are benefits from Pilates you won’t find in the gym or doing sports. Whether it’s a posture problem from working conditions, an overuse repetition from being a runner, back issues from surfing, poor hip mobility from too much sitting or just general old age or young age - you will be amazed how the integration style of exercises makes our whole body more connected and working in unison.

So men… I hope this leaves you thinking about your current state of being and that you, like the Men in Lord of the Rings, can rise to challenge and take on the battle of life side by side with our ‘elvish’ women.