By: StacyAtZeel
Let's face it. You wouldn't think twice if you overheard one woman talking to her girlfriend about that awesome Pilates studio she's been really into lately. But what about the men?
Despite the fact that Pilates was actually created by a male-a one Joseph Pilates-the highly popular practice has managed to maintain a primarily female base of devotees.
"Men have been a bit slower to sign on to a Pilates program than women, but the gap is beginning to close," confirms Pilates guru and owner of Manhattan's Mongoose Bodyworks Halle Clarke. "Men do Pilates for the same reason women do: to get in shape, stay in shape, recover from an injury, improve a sport, look better and feel better."
One thing Halle points out is that it's often more common for men to discover Pilates after being referred by their physician (or wife!) to remedy their aching back, herniated disc, poor posture or other ailment. "But however it is that they get here, they tend to stay," says Halle-even if they were unenthusiastic to begin with.
"The myth that Pilates is easy is soon broken, and once they start to see changes, they are hooked," Halle adds. "Men that do Pilates tend to fall into a few categories: men who don't like to exercise and therefore find Pilates more enjoyable than the typical workout; men who love to exercise and want yet another modality to challenge themselves with; men who have an injury and need Pilates; and men who sit a lot and want to reverse their slumped posture. Which is really not all that much different from women!"
For personalized Pilates instruction and fitness advice, book an appointment with Halle on Zeel.
