Powertone plus Pilates assisted Exercise

Pilates, much more than just Exercise

In 1926 Joseph Pilates, a German-born fitness innovator and his wife Clara opened an exercise studio on Eighth Avenue in New York. He taught an exercise program he had developed that builds strength of your core muscles. His style of exercise was initially embraced by dancers who used the techniques to develop long, lean muscles.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that Pilates become more main-stream when Hollywood discovered it and Pilates exercises gained press coverage. This style of exercises is now performed by people of all ages and fitness levels.

A little like Ti Chi, Pilates exercises are gentle flowing movements and require you to concentrate on and control the muscles you are utilising in each exercise, creating an improved body-mind connection. Pilates exercises initially start from your core and incorporate movements that develop flexibility, strength, stability and endurance. Over the years variations of the initial Pilates principles have emerged that incorporate modern understanding of fitness, anatomy and biomechanics.

Lie down and Move your Body!

Back in the 1920s and 30s Elizabeth Kenny a bush nurse working in Queensland, revolutionised the treatment for Polio. She pioneered using repetitive passive movement, provided by nursing staff for affected limbs, instead of immobilising the limb. This treatment was effective at ‘retraining’ the muscles so they could move effectively again. Kenny's principles of muscle rehabilitation became the foundation of physical therapy.

Today repetitive passive movement forms the basis for many rehabilitation therapies even being used to assist stroke victims retrain the connection between an affected limb and their brain. NASA uses it to prepare astronauts for outer space and it helps Manchester United football club reduce injury for their players.

Repetitive passive movement exercise classes work your body smarter not harder. Your body is moved passively by specially designed exercise equipment. This increases your joint & muscle mobility, promotes better circulation and improves your balance. Participants find the sessions to be relaxing and afterwards they feel energised not exhausted.

Incorporating Repetitive Passive Movement and Pilates

Our Powertone Plus Pilates exercises incorporate both principles to achieve remarkable results for your body. Sessions are 30 minutes in duration. You need to wear long pants and socks. Afterwards you will be relaxed and energised.

More information can be found on the Shapemaster web site.