Pilates

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates from Germany. Pilates is an exercise method that combines exercise movements, gymnastics, martial arts, yoga, and dance (Cruz-Ferreira, Fernandes, Laranjo, Bernardo, & Silva, 2011). This exercise helps promote coordination of your mind, body and spirit while also restoring good posture and physical activity. When Joseph was young, he suffered from various illnesses and turned to exercise to help battle his ailments. As he grew older, he felt he became healthier due to his exercise, and was able to participate in various sports (“Pilates Origins” n.d.). In 1926, Joseph moved to the United States and opened up a fitness studio next to the New York City Ballet, where the ballerinas would take classes,

However, I did not like when I had to be on my back with my neck raised off the floor. I felt that this created a lot of neck pain and I had to keep taking breaks by putting my head back on the mat. This must be a common complaint since the instructor did mention it in her video. I believe my neck hurt because I need to increase my flexibility and muscular endurance. A study, conducted to find the effects of using Pilates for exercise, provided strong evidence that Pilates improved flexibility, balance, and muscular endurance (Cruz-Ferreira et al., 2011). I believe that Pilates is something I should incorporate into my exercise routine so that I can build the muscular strength and flexibility needed in order to continue with other various exercises without pain. I would rate the intensity of this class around a 13 on the perceived exertion scale. I am giving Pilates this rating not due to any exertion I felt, but because of the muscular strength that made me tired and sore. Prior to starting my workout, my heart rate was 69 and after completion, my heart rate had increased to 82. So while it did not get my heart pumping too much, it did provide to be a difficult exercise to accomplish at times due to the muscular strength