The Benefits of Fitness

You know exercise is good for you ~ but do you know how good? From lowering your risk of obesity to increasing your energy levels and boosting your mood, the merits of regular physical activity are hard to ignore. Read on as I list the top five reasons to make fitness a part of your life.

1. Improve Your Mood. Need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A brisk 30 minute run or a workout on the TRX Suspension Trainer can help calm you down. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You'll also look better and feel better when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Regular physical activity can even help prevent depression.
   
2. Combat Chronic Diseases. Worried about heart disease? Want to prevent osteoporosis? Physical activity might be the ticket. Regular physical activity can help you prevent (or manage) high blood pressure. Your cholesterol will benefit, too. Regular physical activity boosts "good" cholesterol while decreasing triglycerides. And there's more: regular physical activity can help you prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.
   
3. Manage Your Weight. Want to drop those excess pounds? Trade your couch time for TRX time. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the exercise, the more calories you burn, and the easier it is to keep your weight under control. And while dedicated workouts are great, physical activity you accumulate throughout the day (stairs vs elevator, a brisk lunchtime walk) helps you burn calories too.
4. Boost Your Energy Level. Regular physical activity can leave you breathing easier. Physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular physical activity helps your entire cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.
   
5. Get a Good Nights Sleep. A good nights sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood, and what promotes a good nights sleep? You guessed it: physical activity. Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. There's one caveat, however. If you exercise close to bedtime, you may be too energized to fall asleep, so try to exercise earlier in the day.
   

The benefits of fitness are yours for the taking, regardless of age, gender or physical ability, so in the words of Olivia Newton John, get physical!! There are a million different ways you can incorporate fitness into your life. Check out a local climbing wall or hiking trail. Join a local kickball or soccer league. Take your TRX to the local park or playground. The type of activity is irrelevant. All that matters is that you are moving!!!

Courtesy of trxtraining.com

lululemon Product Lingo

Confused by those special little abbreviations on lululemon hangtags? Want to learn to educate like the pros in our boutique?

Say hello to our crash course on lululemon product lingo. They use abbreviations in their product names and hangtags to tell you what kind of technology makes each garment special. Consider this your go-to education guide to knowing exactly what your excited about!

Generation of Garment (I, II, III, IV)

These little Roman numerals are how lululemon indicates a new version of a much loved item. Every season, lululemon counts on your feedback to figure out exactly what you love and what can be improved. Their quest never ends when it comes to fit and function and I, II and III mark the way.

*Fabric Name

Whenever you see a (*) followed by the fabric, it indicates that this fabric has been used to create the product. It can represent the main fabric used, or a secondary fabric only used in sections. *Tweed, *Mesh, *Rib and *Org are all examples.

Brushed (*Br or *Brushed)

Brushed promises a warm, soft layer against your skin. Specifically, the fabric's bottom layer has been agitated and brushed to create a cozy, super soft feel.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

Fabric has been treated with a finish that causes water to bead off of the surface to keep you dry.

Water Repellent vs. Waterproof: lululemon waterproof products have an outer shell capable of repelling water and taped seems to keep all water from penetrating. Water repellent garments do not have taped seems.

Organic (*Org or *Organic)

Certified Organic Cotton is an exciting edition to the amazing lululemon fabric line.

Pique (*Pique ~ pronounced "pee-kay")

Pique luon fabric is luon that has been woven to give a more textured look and feel. It's like wearing your favorite knit sweater or pants with the superb 4-way stretch and sweat wicking abilities you know and love.

Ruffle (*Ruffle)

A textured detail to add originality to your athletic gear!

Sparkle (*Sparkle)

Subtle silver-colored threads woven into the fabric make you shine on the outside too!!

Special Edition (*Special Edition)

A new detail, feature or pattern puts a twist on a core item.

Reversible (*RVRS)

Your outfit possibilities double, thanks to lululemon's reversible options in both pants and jackets. Their flat seem technology enables them to offer two unique looks in one.

SL, SS, LS

lululemon provides all the options. You can choose between sleeveless (SL), short sleeve (SS), or long sleeve (LS) to ensure the right garment for every workout.

Regular (*R)

This indicates lululemon's standard inseam. For ladies, the inseam is 31.5" (size 2/4 = 31"). Men can expect 33".

Tall (*T)

Those with wonderfully long legs need not worry - a tall length is made just for you!! Women's *T inseam is 35" for sizes 4 & 6, and 35.5" for sizes 8 - 12. Men's *T is 36".

And there you have it. Take your newfound knowledge and shop fearlessly!!!

Joseph Pilates Contrology Sports Illustrated Article

"Sports Illustrated arranged for me to meet with Joe Pilates in his second floor studio. I was 24 and weighed 145 pounds. He was thirty pounds heavier, several inches shorter and 56 years older. I can still recall his handshake - I sensed he could bend me like a pretzel if he cared to. Within a few minutes I was photographing Joe bending himself into one. His gymnasium attracted beautiful people: ballerinas, modern dancers and actors who would subject themselves

to his authoritarian control. Though he personally demonstrated and explained the mechanical contraptions designed to strengthen and stretch the body, the clouds of 40 years dimmed his voice. Yet, I can remember him telling stories about Germany and how he outwitted the Brown Shirts on several occasions. Before we parted he encouraged me, for everlasting youth, to practice Contrology. It took me 39 years to follow his advice." ~ I.C. Rapoport

November Workshop: The Pulley in Pilates

We invite you to join us for our upcoming monthly wellness workshop, to be held on Thursday, November 18th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm.

During this free workshop, discover how to find & fire the right muscles to enhance efficiency and movement technique in order to get the most from every single exercise! We'll discuss how Pilates uses dynamic muscular opposition, the role of antagonist musculature in stabilization within Pilates exercises, as well as anchoring and awareness of the "architecture" of the body during your Pilates exercises. You’ll learn how to maximize your workout to get more power out of your powerhouse, and get quicker results from your Pilates program!!

Pilates students, teachers and those interested in learning more about the Pilates method are welcome to attend.

Contact the studio at JoesPlaceTruePilates@gmail.com or 508-385-8882 to sign up!!

Cross Training with Pilates

Pilates teaches breathing, control, concentration, how to work around the body’s center line, precision, and alignment. Pilates work challenges a bodies strength, flexibility, balance and complete range of motion in all joints. Pilates develops both the body and the mind and is a series of specific exercises performed on both a mat and specialized equipment.

CROSS TRAINING WITH PILATES

Cross training can help improve overall fitness and performance. Cross training with Pilates will help build a balanced and aligned body to enhance other sports and reduce risk of overuse injuries. Pilates is a valuable aspect of cross training as it will train the “power house” muscles (abdominals, lower back muscles, and buttocks muscles) making you more agile whatever your sport. Increased flexibility and strength will improve posture and alignment. Pilates will teach you about your body and how to properly move with it. Both male and female athletes in varying sports are cross training with Pilates. Golfer Tiger Woods, offensive lineman Ruben Brown, basketball player Jason Kid, and female Olympian Jennie Thompson all use Pilates as part of their cross training regime.

Advantages of cross training:

• Ensures a full and balanced body work out


• Prevents certain muscle groups from remaining weak at the expense of others
  
• Reduces the risk of injury


• Adds variety to your workout and makes exercising more fun


• Gives muscles a chance to rest from repetitive athletic activities


• Helps reverse muscle imbalances within the body


• Enables learning of different skills


• Improves overall athletic performance

Pilates will:

• Build up your stamina - run faster, swim longer


• Increase strength and flexibility - jump higher, hit a ball farther


• Balance/re-balance muscles - hit a ball straighter


• Reduce the risk of injuries - have more confidence


• Improve balance and coordination - move faster


• Heighten body awareness - find strengths and weaknesses


• Improve circulation and energy levels - increase stamina
  

EQUIPMENT

If you are just starting out or looking to buy Pilates equipment for your own home gym or Pilates studio, you will need to consider what equipment to buy. With more manufacturers of Pilates equipment popping up, make sure to look at more than just the price. Joseph Pilates designed Pilates equipment with precise measurements and flow in mind to work for Pilates exercises. Ask about the history of the maker, how the equipment is backed and if parts can be replaced at no charge should anything happen in the shipping process. If you plan on working with a Pilates trainer in your home, find the right trainer first and consider what equipment they prefer to work with.

Resistance Rings - A Pilates resistance ring or magic circle is usually made from flexible metal or rubber with small pads on either side. It is normally 13 inches in diameter and designed to provide resistance during exercises and is a great tool to learn how to lengthen in the spine.

Pilates Mat - The place to start is with a good Pilates mat. A good Pilates mat is firm and padded enough to adequately support your alignment and balance. A typical size mat is between 80 inches long and 24 inches wide and comes with a foot hold.

Pilates Chairs - Three common chairs in Pilates are the Wunda Chair (shown), Electric chair, and Arm Chair. Each Pilates chair is used differently to exercise the whole body, providing both balancing and strengthening exercises while correcting for alignment. More than 75 different Pilates exercises can be done with the Wunda chair in standing, sitting, and lying positions.

Pilates Barrels - The Pilates Spine Corrector was designed to open up the chest, allow deeper breathing and correct and realign the natural curvature of the spine while performing exercises. It is also used to help students get deeper into their “power house” muscles and build strength for other exercises on Pilates Equipment and Mat. The Ladder Barrel is great for teaching alignment while stretching, also for back and core strengthening.

Reformers - The Pilates Reformer is the most popular piece of Pilates equipment. It is comprised of a single system of straps and springs designed to work a body hard and with control. Things to consider when choosing a Pilates Reformer are the type of carriage padding, length to suit your height and very importantly make sure that carriage moves fluidly. A good question to ask any Pilates equipment manufacturer is what their philosophy is behind their spring system.

Cadillac/ Tower Combinations - Slightly more advanced than the reformer, the Pilates Cadillac offers a wider and versatile range of exercises to strengthen, stretch, and challenge the body.

September Anatomy of Pilates Workshop

We invite you to join us for Septembers' monthly wellness workshop! These informative get-togethers are free and open to the community. Join us on September 30th from 5:30-7:00 pm for The Anatomy of Pilates. Take a look, listen and feel of the specific anatomy involved when practicing Pilates, and get better acquainted with the very functional role these bones, muscles and joints play in your posture, strength and youthful suppleness! You will gain a deeper understanding of how your body works and how very powerful your Pilates "Powerhouse" can be!

Coming in October: The Pulley in Pilates!

Click here for more information and to sign-up online!

TRX Suspension Training

Haven't tried our new TRX Suspension Training classes yet? Don't miss out! Check out our class schedule and make your reservation online!

A terrific complement to your Pilates practice, the TRX Suspension System will challenge your Pilates body to the core. Suspension Training bodyweight exercise develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. It utilizes the TRX® Suspension Trainer™, a highly portable performance training tool that leverages gravity and the user's body weight to enable hundreds of exercises.

The TRX classes are part of our Open Mat Program, and are limited to 6 participants, so sign-up early to save your spot!

Click here to see a video about TRX Suspension Training.