Ever wondered why you can pump iron like it’s going out of fashion but when it comes to a Pilates class you can barely do 15 minutes before you are panting? This is even though the movements are ever so slight and don’t look like much, it is very controlled. In this article, we’ll explain more.
What Pilates movements are all about
Pilates activates slow twitch muscle fibres
There are two types of muscle fibres in your body: slow twitch and fast twitch. Slow twitch muscle fibres are activated when you perform endurance activities such as jogging or Pilates. This is because they give off sustained energy as they contain their own power-generating mechanisms which are called mitochondria. Thus, they are able to sustain a movement for longer.
Fast-twitch muscle fibres are activated when you need to exert a burst of energy such as when you’re lifting heavy weights, for example. (You can read more about fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibres here.)
Slow-twitch muscle fibres – which are those activated in Pilates – have a very low activation threshold. This means that it doesn’t take much force for them to work and for you to see the benefits of this type of workout.
It is an isometric exercise
As we indicated in our article entitled Why Isometric Exercises Should be Part of Your Routine Pilates is an example of an isometric exercise. This means that during the movement, the muscle doesn’t lengthen as opposed to an isotonic exercise where muscles lengthen and contract against some sort of external resistance such as a free weight or a weight machine.
Being an isometric exercise, the force needed to see benefits in a Pilates exercise is not great. This means that you don’t need to make big movements in order to see the benefits that Pilates has to offer.
There are a number of hallmarks which are key to Pilates practice. Here are some of them.
Breathing is central to Pilates
Breathing in (inhaling) to prepare for the movement and breathing out (exhaling) as well as moving on the effort to connect the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles is crucial to Pilates. In most cases, the effort will be on the concentric (positive) phase of the movement. Although, in some cases, the effort may be on the eccentric (negative) phase of the movement.
We strongly advise that you do not hold your breath while exercising. Precision during breathing should be taken during the eccentric phase of the movement so that your abdominals are engaged properly and that the placement of the rib cage is not compromised.
Methods of breathing:
- Clavicular Breathing: Breath that is drawn deep into the upper chest.
- Thoracic or lateral breathing: involves expanding the lower rib cage during inhalation with the abdominals still held in contraction. This kind of breathing is most often used in Pilates.
- Abdominals/diaphragmatic breathing: air is inhaled and drawn to the abdominal region. There is little movement of the rib case. This kind of breathing is commonly used for Yoga.
Flowing movement is vital
Pilates is done in a flowing manner. Fluidity, grace and ease are goals applied to all exercises. The energy of an exercise connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even way. Pilates equipment – like the reformer – are very good mirrors of one’s flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite “machine like” if you lose control and flow.
The rib cage and scapulae must be stable
The rib cage position affects the alignment of the upper back. When lying on your back in a neutral position, maintain the sense of the weight of the ribs resting gently on the mat. In other words, maintain the normal curve of the upper back. Do not push off or push your rib case into the mat. Pay particular attention to the placement of your rib cage when inhaling or while performing overhead arm movements.
Stabilising your shoulder blades on the back of your rib cage is as important as contracting your abdominals during every exercise. This will help you avoid strain through your neck and upper shoulders. To achieve proper placement, a sense of width should be maintained across the front and back of your shoulders. Make sure you don’t allow your shoulders to round forward too much or squeeze together towards your spine. You shoulders should not be lifted too far or over depressed.
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