Pilates: An old regimen made new again

BROAD RIPPLE, Ind. (WISH) - Katie Wright faced a dilemma as a dancer – she couldn't turn correctly.

It was only after she strengthened her abdominals and hip flexors through Pilates that she finally felt she could dance.

Learning that exercise regimen changed her life.  She now owns a Pilates studio in Broad Ripple and teaches several classes every week. 

"I like the fact that it's precise," said Wright during an interview at her studio. "I like that it really teaches you how your body works, as opposed to just kind of running on a gerbil wheel. I like the fact that you have to think. And there's always something more to learn."

Pilates is a body conditioning routine invented in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates.  It builds flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back.  It also puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or center, and improving coordination and balance.

Katie has made a significant investment in the devices used in Reformer Pilates. 

The Cadillac, is a bench featuring straps, springs and roll bars. Each apparatus has its own set of exercises and most of the exercises done on the various pieces of Pilates apparatus are resistance training.

Wright admits the majority of her clients work up to the benches and the Cadillac, though, after starting with the more economical and just as effective, mat classes.

Although movie stars like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are advocates of Pilates, Wright says her clients understand this kind of exercise doesn't target the heart. 

There is no set diet associated with Pilates either.  But Wright maintains, those who practice Pilates regularly, will see the benefits. 
   
"They can expect to have improved control of their body. They're going to have better posture. They'll have stronger abs. They're going to have more flexible hamstrings. They're going to have a strong upper back. They're going to look in the mirror and see they're a bit slimmer, just for the fact that they are standing taller."

Individualized instruction in Pilates can run as high as $60 an hour.  Pilates classes tend to run in the $10 - $15 range. 

Pilates can be an excellent form of exercise for people working to strength themselves either before or after major surgery like hip, shoulder or knee replacement.