Shoulder Injury Led Toluca Lake Instructor to Pilates

I've read about celebrities and pro athletes who credit pilates with drastic improvements to their physique. I've heard friends talk about how they have improved their range of motion, flexibility, posture and abdominal strength while reducing back, hip, neck and other joint pain all through pilates. 

The exercise phenomenon has deep roots. Created by Joseph Pilates more than 80 years ago, the technique strengthens and tones muscles, improves posture and increases flexibility and balance.

Pilates, a native of Germany, was a nurse in a prison camp during World War I. To help his immobilized patients regain strength, he created simple resistance and stretching exercises by attaching pulleys and springs to a steel-frame cot.

After moving to the United States, Pilates spread the word about his finding, adding elements of Eastern meditation. At first, Pilates gained a following of athletes rehabilitating from injuries. The exercises became mildly popular in the 1970s, then slipped into obscurity until the '80s.

But now people of all ages take part in pilates classes.

I decided to turn to an expert to identify the benefits of pilates.

Personal trainer Drew Michael of Toluca Lake has been helping clients get into shape for over a decade. He integrated pilates into his workout regime in 2008 after he took several classes to recover from a shoulder injury.

"Pilates helps develop core and lower back strength," said Drew Michael. "I have clients who suffer from neck and back injuries who have become completely pain free through pilates."

When starting a pilates training program, Drew Michael stresses to always check if teachers are certified pilates instructors. Also a visit to your doctor to make sure you are in good shape to begin an exercise program is important.  Although pilates can be practiced daily, he recommends to start a new workout schedule slowly and always incorporate one or two days of rest time to recuperate. Even though there is a designed format to Pilates, the exercises can be modified to fit each person's abilities, Drew Michael adds.

Drew Michael sees results in his clients within 10 sessions. Pilates workouts result in better breathing, a stronger core, and long and lean physiques as opposed to bulking up with agressive weight lifting.

To find out more about taking a pilates class or to schedule a private workout, contact Drew Michael at www.facebook.com/DrewsPilatesBodies or LearnPilatesNow@aol.com.