Men’s X Factor
Balanced Body COREterly
Spring/Summer 2015
COREterly Marketeer
Men: The X-Factor of Pilates
by Dan Wilson
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the 2015 Balanced Body catalog.
It’s no secret that most Pilates participants around the globe are women. But the frustrating question is why? When you look at the origin of Pilates it really seems that this is an exercise that men should flock to. It was designed by a man who was a former boxer and gymnast in order to rehabilitate wounded internees during World War 1. How manly is that?
So, how do you get your average guy to try Pilates? Well, just about every man wants to be an athlete, and Pilates can improve athletic ability. Runners can shave seconds off their times, baseball players and golfers hit the ball farther, etc. And they can do this with less chance of injury.
In fact, that the one sector of the male population that is using Pilates is a sector that most men would like to be part of — elite athletes. Many of Balanced Body’s clients are teams from the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as gold-medal winning Olympic athletes. Any studio who markets this point stands a good chance of increasing their male clientele.
One studio owner who realizes this is Page Sieffert, owner of Pilates Nosara in Nosara, Costa Rica. Page started a group classes specifically for men. “Their wives were all clients of mine and they were sick of hearing their husbands complaining about their backs, necks, etc. so they made them come to see me,” says Page. “There was some initial interest but also a bit of skepticism. One male client was a rugby player, and all of them were avid surfers. When I told them that this form of exercise could make them better surfers, I had their interest.”
Page designed the class a little differently than her other women’s classes. Cueing was a little more direct and verbal. And she chose exercises that had a more physicality and cardio elements. “I think men are under the misconception that Pilates doesn’t make you sweat and if you aren’t sweating you aren’t working out. Well, I can tell you, at the end of each of my sessions these are guys are dripping.”
The other dynamic that Page had to get used to was that when the men arrived they were ready to go. “There’s a bit more socializing with women,” she says. “The guys are focused on getting a good workout. I have their undivided attention for the entire hour. Teaching them is a lot of fun because they work hard, want to constantly take it to the next level with proper form, and are enjoying the results. Once they do several rigorous workouts with me they see the benefits, and intelligence in the Pilates Method, they’re hooked.”
Word has gotten around and now Page is scheduling even more men’s classes. “Other guys are seeing the results and they want in.”
Daniel Wilson is the Senior Communications Manager at Balanced Body.
What kind of results are they seeing?
Iain Ross is one of Page’s clients and is avid athlete. “I am an ex-junior international rugby player who suffered serious back trauma and was told I would never run again,” says Iann. “The last 10 years I have been so stiff and felt about 60 years old. During the last 10 months I have focused on rehabbing my body and mind. Page’s classes were the highlight of this, and now at 33 I surf better than I have ever before. Pilates will be part of my life forever.”
Adds Graham Swindell, another of Pages clients: “Because I surf 350 days out of the year, my back takes a beating. After any Pilates class on the Reformer my back gets aligned again, allowing me to move painlessly in everyday routines, as well as out in the water in the lineup. If I go a couple of weeks without doing a Pilates class the pain always comes back. So it has become a necessity if I want to continue my active lifestyle.”
“Pilates just makes so much sense for guy” says Page. “If you think about it men need this type of exercise just as much as women because they tend to have less flexibility, and often unknowingly choose workouts that may lead to injury. Luckily some of the guys around here on catching on!”
Balanced Body COREterly Spring/Summer 2015
From the Studio : Online Class Websites
Teaching & Learning : Effective Teaching through Cueing and Communication Tools
COREterly Marketeer : Men: The X-Factor of Pilates
What’s New : Our 75th Pilates on Tour
Balanced Body on the Road : Spring/Summer
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1-800-PILATES (800-745-2837) or 916-388-2838
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