By Francine Charbonneau
First there was the yoga craze, then tae-bo, and now it`s the Pilates (pronounced pill-aat-ease) craze. Unlike yoga however, Pilates has been around for years but has only recently exploded in popularity in Ottawa.
At least four studios in Centretown offer Pilates classes. Some, like The Fitness Edge on Catherine Street even specialize in the program.
“I’d tried every kind of fitness program there is,” says Merrill Lochhead, program director of The Fitness Edge studio.
“This is the one that really made sense and had the most depth to it.”
Comparable to yoga in terms of mind and body moves, the Pilates method often uses equipment and a different kind of breathing pattern to target the core of the body.
“I feel very relaxed when I go home,” says Lochhead, standing in her pale yellow and blue-painted studio, with soothing music playing in the background.
Founded by Joseph Pilates in 1926, the method, according to Pam Forth, founder of Body Alive on Somerset Street W, was originally used by New York City dancers to improve posture, strength and flexibility.
“The New York style never really made it to the mainstream, but it spread to places like California where actresses like Sharon Stone began to use it,” says Forth.
Pilates focuses on moves using one’s own body weight instead of regular weights to tone rather than to build muscle, says Lochhead. The method is also said to reduce stress, improve breathing and help prevent injuries.
Although it’s not as high impact as a cardio-workout or weight training, it has benefits for any age group.
“The method can be customized for everyone from rehab patients to professional athletes,” says Lochhead, who has over 20 years of experience in dance and fitness. “The range is amazing.”
The hard work, however, is not necessarily for everyone.
“It takes a lot of dedication. To get results, a person should attend class a minimum of three times per week. It’s a very demanding discipline,” says Forth.
There are different types of Pilates classes. According to Lochhead, the mat-work is the most popular and affordable, since it consists of groups of six to eight people. “We do a lot of odd-looking positions but it’s a lot of fun and really beneficial,” she says.
For a one-on-one approach, most studios, like The Fitness Edge and Body Alive in Centretown, offer private or semi-private sessions using specialized equipment like the Reformer and the Cadillac.
Private classes usually range from $40 to $60. “We can then build programs for what the individual actually needs,” says Forth.
“I’m a middle-aged dude with back and knee problems. Pilates gave me a way to exercise without any danger of injury,” says Bill Smith, a client of The Fitness Edge for more than two years.
It can even be good bonding time with loved ones.
“We get lots of moms and daughters during sessions,” says Lochhead. “We even had a mom and her son a few weeks ago…it was so cute.”
The benefits of the Pilates method are very appealing but fitness instructors like Lochhead and Forth explain the importance of proper training.
“I get very scared that given all the Pilates classes out there, there are a lot of people who aren’t certified to teach them,” says Lochhead.
“Done right, the Pilates method can help change the way you live and make you more aware of your body.”
Whatever the goal, Pilates looks to be going mainstream in many fitness studios across Centretown.