Making Sure It’s A Pilates Class

What people may not know about Pilates is that not all Pilates classes are the same. After a four-year trademark dispute that ended in 2000, the term “Pilates” was ruled to be a generic term for an exercise method and the Pilates trademark was ruled to be invalid in the US. While this allowed qualified instructors and studios to use the name Pilates without a monetary payment for it’s use, it also opened the door to widespread unregulated use of the term.

As a result of that decision, Pilates has become so broadly interpreted that any exercise routine that incorporates a few Pilates moves or principles can now be called “Pilates”. Other spinoffs can include workouts that incorporate “core work” implying a connection to the Pilates Method that may or may not be true.

Some of the instructor certification programs that have cropped up can be completed in a weekend. Aquiring the knowledge required to teach the true comprehensive Pilates Method as Joseph Pilates intended takes a great deal of time, study and practice. In most cases an apprenticeship is also required.

The Classic Pilates Method (or Traditional Method) uses the unaltered exercises developed by Joseph Pilates himself. He originally called his method “Contrology” to emphasize the importance of accurately performing the exercises.

Modifications are available to the instructor for purposes of tailoring the workout to meet a client’s specific needs; however, the exercises are still taken from Joe’s original workouts and are performed in a specific order. Whether working on the mat, reformer, cadillac, tower, chair or barrels, all of the Classic Pilates exercises are performed the way Joseph Pilates intended.

Any exercise program is good for you but, if you want a true Pilates experience, you may want to do a little research or ask a few questions to ascertain the background and qualifications of the instructor and/or studio.