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Next time you\u2019re scrolling through Instagram stories and see a celebrity posting a selfie in a fitness studio, you might notice the telltale signs that it was taken in a Pilates studio. And there are plenty of good reasons why so many A-listers have fallen for this exercise method: It\u2019s a quick and effective full-body workout that can sculpt and strengthen your muscles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing that draws people to Pilates is that it\u2019s a really healthy, symmetrical, alignment-based way of performing resistance training,\u201d says owner of New York City\u2013based Real Pilates Alycea Ungaro, PT, who\u2019s worked with a long list of stars, including Madonna, Christy Turlington, Uma Thurman, Kyra Sedgwick, Miley Cyrus, Claire Danes and Molly Sims. \u201cBecause the Pilates apparatus and system are so targeted on alignment and symmetry, there\u2019s this high focus on correct form. And so you can work out as hard as you like or as gentle as you need, without risk or fear of injury.<\/p>\n
Ungaro explains that so many A-listers are drawn to Pilates not only because it\u2019s enjoyable but also because it\u2019s basically workout multitasking \u2014 you\u2019re getting your strength training, resistance and stretching all done in one session.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a celebrity working on a movie set, there\u2019s just not a lot of time,\u201d Ungaro explains. \u201cSo if you can do an exercise that multitasks for you, that you can do a couple times a week and check all the boxes, then it\u2019s a really efficient use of fitness.<\/p>\n
Pilates offers more dynamic movement because of what the springs require of your muscles, Ungaro says.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou lift up a dumbbell and then you lower it. The resistance is on the up. But when you\u2019re pushing a spring and then you release it, you can\u2019t just let go. You have to let it go really slowly,\u201d she explains. \u201cSo you\u2019re getting that concentric and eccentric movement with every single rep. I feel like you\u2019re always getting double the workout in each and every exercise as opposed to just one-way training.<\/p>\n
Another reason it\u2019s so effective is because in a classical Pilates class, you literally never stop moving.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe setup is choreographed and you just flow all the way through,\u201d Ungaro says.<\/p>\n
In a classical class, you\u2019ll likely perform the same exercises in each class over and over again, with adjustments to the spring load or more reps for progressive resistance training.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The same is true of a contemporary Pilates class, where teachers tend to work in a modern exercise vibe. The difference is that you might just perform all the exercises on the reformer (as opposed to using additional pieces of equipment) and that the workout may be different each time you visit the studio.<\/p>\n
As with many things in life, a blended approach to Pilates often yields the most comprehensive results.<\/p>\n
Take WundaBar Pilates, for instance. This studio\u2019s blend of contemporary and classical work came as a result of CEO and founder Amy Jordan\u2019s own complaint that most Pilates classes were either too cerebral and quiet or far too intense for her liking. So she invented WundaBar Pilates to be a healthy medium between those two extremes.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery movement we do is using your entire body,\u201d says Jordan, who describes her classes as being extremely efficient and cardio-intense because clients use the chair, the reformer, the jump board and the ballet bar.<\/p>\n
Her celebrity clients include Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Colin Farrell, Kristin Cavallari and Emma Roberts, but her non-celeb clients keep coming back for more, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt speaks to the results of how quickly you can make a change when you\u2019ve got this crazy busy life and schedule,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s also a place where when you\u2019re coming, you feel better. You don\u2019t feel beat up. When you leave, you feel stronger. You feel empowered.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re thinking of adding Pilates to your routine, Jordan says to give yourself grace when you first begin. It might be harder than you think. You also should expect to use smaller muscles. She has seen a cyclist improve his speed after he learned how to use his abs to power his legs. For lifters, it can help you build stability and prevent injury by zeroing in on smaller muscles.<\/p>\n
Regardless of which studio you go to, instructors should offer progressions so students can adjust the exercise based on what they feel they can handle. For instance, you might be lying on the reformer and have the option of extending one leg out and keeping one leg close to your body, the easier choice, or extending both of your legs out at an angle for more of a challenge.<\/p>\n
And if you\u2019re looking into Pilates because you\u2019re recovering from an injury, you\u2019re in luck.<\/p>\n
\u201cPilates is so deeply steeped in anatomy and breath and alignment,\u201d Jordan says. \u201cNo matter what it is that you are recovering from, if you\u2019re in proper alignment with breath support, you\u2019re going to be safe and effective with your movement.<\/p>\n
Besides the numerous physical benefits, Pilates also offers a welcome mental health boost.<\/p>\n
\u201cI legitimately believe movement heals,\u201d says Jordan, who credits Pilates with helping her get through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. \u201cIt really is a transformative experience. You\u2019re going to feel better after one session.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n