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Archive for April 21st, 2010

How Pilates Can Help

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

The core muscles (abdominals and pelvic floor muscles) are the main focus in many belly dance movements, so it is extremely important that these muscles are very strong if a belly dancer wants to perform those movements correctly, without injuring her back. A lot of Pilates movements involve strengthening the core muscles. A popular type of Pilates exercise, which I always use as part of my belly dance training, are planks. Planks are amazing in that they strengthen the abdominals like no other exercise and also there are many different variations for planks, which allow you to progress gradually. Also, a lot of Pilates exercises involve isolating individual muscles and becoming aware of their activity. Again, this is very helpful in bellydance training, as in belly dance isolating single body parts is very important. Bellydance movements that involve isolations are for example undulations, belly rolls, hip circles, chest lifts and more. Another aspect of belly dance that practising Pilates can help with, is posture. I always stress during my that good posture is paramount in belly dance, in order not only for the movements to look good, but also to make the moves possible and to protect the back. Last but not least, Pilates helps improving balance by strengthening the core muscles. The stronger your core muscles are, the easier it will be to hold your balance, which is fundamental in dance, including bellydance, for spins and travelling steps.

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Preventing Pilates Related Injuries

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

First, no Pilates beginner should be doing the teaser (the V shape), which is an intermediate/advanced exercise that requires deeper abdominal recruitment to avoid overusing the hip flexors and external obliques. Second, there is nothing “Crunch” like in Pilates. We do not tighten & compress the midsection like someone who has buttoned his vest to his pants, but seek to strengthen the muscles functionally without compression by using the pelvic floor and transverse abdominals. While Pilates mat is the most accessible form of Pilates, the equipment is actually more appropriate for beginners. Joseph Pilates invented the apparatus to assist as well as resist movement, enabling people to exercise who otherwise may not have been able to move properly. It is not true that one must do Pilates mat before taking on the machines. Then I saw an ad for “Cardiolates,” a concept that is at once fascinating and horrifying. Note that Pilates is anaerobic exercise, like weight training. To attempt to blend Pilates and cardio into one workout regimen is just plain wrong, is contrary to the whole basis of Pilates exercise, and will most likely result in lots of injured people who feel that they cannot do Pilates because it hurt them

I hate this mass production of Pilates because it makes Pilates seem simply like a group of exercises (that look like other exercises) that you can do fast, slow, or otherwise. That’s just not it! Pilates is about how you exercise; it’s about how you move and breathe and get into positions. Pilates is about balance and proper movement, not simply about hauling oneself into a certain position. Improperly done Pilates can cause– hernias (from bearing down too much) muscle cramps (from improper recruitment) neck & back injuries (from improperly flattening the back and neck causing muscle strain and vertebral compression and from overstretching or over-extending the back and neck–all from improper instruction on how to stabilize the pelvis) rotator cuff injuries (from pushing large range of motion in the shoulder joint without proper ribcage stabilization) osteoporotic spinal fractures (from too much forward flexion and other movements contra-indicated for osteoporosis) and other injuries

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Pilates Machines

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Pilates has been a craze of the early 2000’s. This form of exercise has unique approaches to fitness and can provide of significant benefits for the strengthening and conditioning of the body. It practices isometric movements for strengthening the body. Pilates exercise can be performed on mats, but having pilates machine will certainly enhance your workout and help you take advantage of your own body as resistance.Practicing pilates and using the machines shapes your body. It strengthens the core muscles to give your body stability and resistance. They are like cushy pad on rollers. You use straps to move the pad, using your own body to strengthen and lengthen your arms and legs. It develops a strong torso.
The Pilates machine line up is as:

1. Premier Reformer Pilates Machine: It improves muscle tone, balance and endurance. Each exercise engages the abdominals. You can develop a firmer chest, stronger shoulders, triceps and buttocks, slimmer thighs and calves. Over all it improves your coordination, flexibility and posture. It includes: A personal workout video and a full color workout chart.

2. Home SPX Stott Pilates Reformer: the ultimate goal of this machine is to build strength without bulk. It provides a superior quality workout from the comfort of home. Designed gentle, low impact exercises help improve agility, flexibility, core strength and economy of motion. It includes 1 padded platform extender and a professional reformer Box with foot strap. A set of double loop strap workout DVD and easy start exercise poster.

3. Pilates Reformer 4000: It has a full list of features and special design enhancements that make your workouts more effective and enjoyable. All age group and people with different fitness levels can use Pilates 4000. It promotes proper breathing and body alignment, improves concentration and increases flexibility and muscle strength.

4. Half Trapeze reformer: It aids the users to execute all reformer exercises and postures. It Increases your resistance. It includes a foot bar and 6 additional springs

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Tips For Pilates Exercises

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

The whole idea of free Pilates exercises is to increase your flexibility and your strength, and in doing so no bulk should be built. All Pilates is, is a series of different muscles you exercise by controlled movements.Free Pilates exercises may be used by anyone of any age. It helps your body to be balanced and it lengthens your muscles.A very common exercise of free Pilates exercises is the body roll; it is used to strengthen your abdominal muscles.You sit in a ball with your head is to be kept between your knees while you balance on your behind and work your abdominal muscles while you are doing so. Roll backwards while balancing on your spine then roll back up to the sitting position.Pilates is very similar to yoga and the two have become very popular in the past decade or so. There are lots of ways you can do it, at home with the free Pilates exercise videos and DVD’s, go one on one to training sessions or you could go to group classes.Besides helping you physically, free Pilates exercises also helps you mentally improving the following areas, moods, mental control, concentration, attention, energy level, well being and self acceptance. It also decreases the following, depression, stress, and tension.

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Trim That Body With Pilates

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Pilates moves are specifically formulated to strengthen your body, and improve your posture, improve your coordination and your overall flexibility while elongating your entire body.The best Winsor Pilates moves mix proper breathing, with flexibility training and strength training, along with body toning, body sculpting and awareness of your spine, so you are able to achieve what we all want to achieve with our body’s, a slimmer, a more stronger, and more longer you, without the bulky muscles, that may be very unattractive.Pilates moves are bunched together to make up a comprehensive routine or workout regime that lasts about an hour. Whether you decide to use a DVD or go to a Pilates class, you will need to use your core muscles while doing the Pilates moves. This will help with your Abs, bums and back.There are really different speeds to all Winsor Pilates moves that work different parts of your body. So there are slow moves and fast moves, which allows you to feel what you are doing and which muscle you are working on, and the results are amazing.You will be glad to know that you get Pilates moves that are specially formulated for pregnant women and post pregnant women. When you do your Pilates moves correctly you will notice a visible change in your posture and body tone in no time, but you will have to commit to what you are doing, or all the hard work will have been for nothing.

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