You are here:About>Health>Pilates> FAQ> What is Pilates?
About.comPilates
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg

Q. What is Pilates?

From Marguerite Ogle,
Your Guide to Pilates.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
A.

Pilates is a system of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. It is a highly sophisticated approach to training the body that seeks to develop core strength and stability (rather than muscular bulk) in order to allow the body to move in the most efficient way possible.

Pilates exercises are done on a mat or utilizing various pieces of resistance equipment. The Pilates reformer is the most commonly used piece of equipment in a Pilates studio, and there are many Pilates mat and reformer classes available around the country. For a more extensive overview of Pilates, please read: What is Pilates? article.

Updated: November 29, 2006
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
More from About, Inc.: Calorie Count Plus | UCompareHealthCare
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Corrections | Privacy Policy
©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.