Posted May 8, 2012 - 10:06am by Corinne Dawson
Spring Tension, the Pilates Difference!
I have SPRING FEVER! love spring! It feels so great to go outside and feel the change of seasons. We have made it through another Chicago winter. It feels fresh and full of possibility. I am also crazy for working out with springs! I love the feeling of working out with the Pilates apparatus and don't go through a week without centering my body with those springs. I encourage anyone interested in Pilates to experience the spring-based equipment and prepare to get "spring fever"!
Almost all of the equipment designed by Joseph Pilates has giant springs attached to them to help work the body in different ways. We have different size springs with different amounts of tension, and they can be attached at different angles for different purposes. Working with spring resistance feels gentle and easy on the joints the same way moving in the water does, giving resistance and support. The springs can work for everyone from the elite athlete, to people with joint pain or other physical challenges. There are people who need the help of the springs to roll through the spine smoothly or get their hips up off the mat. There are also times where the springs help a client build stability around a joint. Working with the springs can make an excercise more challenging, or more possible! They always challenge the body to work from the center and keep adjusting to remain in control of the spring.
There are many newer, fantastic fitness trends that are based on the same principles as our springs. Joseph Pilates was truly ahead of his time by decades. Now the stability ball, the BOSU, the red cord, the foam rollers, and therabands are some of the newer resistance training ideas. Try some of them and see if you feel a new challenge to your body. To me, nothing compares to the Reformer, the Cadillac, and the Pilates chairs to get the perfect sense of centering and resistance. Try some resistance this spring!
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