Pilates and yoga aren't just for women anymore. Trainer Jay Blahnik explains
in the L.A. Times why men are turning to Pilates to get stronger abs, stronger backs and to stand taller.
Fitness experts estimate that less than 15% of Pilates students are men, but that number is growing rapidly as more men begin to see the benefits such training can provide. Many professional sports teams have added Pilates to their training regime -- as have well-known male athletes and celebrities (golfer Tiger Woods among them).
There are two basic types of Pilates workouts: mat workouts and equipment-based workouts. Mat workouts are often done in a class setting with little or no equipment and can be found at most gyms. These classes contain a variety of calisthenic-type movements with very specific instructions. Equipment-based workouts are usually conducted in private or in small group settings and use large machines that make the most of straps, springs and railings. Mat workouts are often included in gym memberships; equipment-based workouts usually cost extra.
Jay suggests that guys who are worried that Pilates is only for women should take a female friend with them to their first Pilates class. Joseph Pilates, the founder of the method, was a boxer. He never intended the workout to be for women only -- it's good for men and women alike.
