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What is Pilates?

By , About.com Guide

Updated: November 29, 2006

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Question: What is Pilates?
Answer:

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.

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