Created by a Man for Men
Only the Strong will Survive.
The Backstory
Joseph Pilates was a gymnast-turned-boxer who, from his youth, had dedicated his life to the improvement of the human body with the mission of achieving the quintessential physical form. In its origins the method and its system ("Contrology") was already in development during WWl, at which time Joseph Pilates was in an internment camp for men in England.
Once in The States Joseph, and his wife Clara, opened a gym in NYC. It drew the likes of businessmen, athletes, and dancers (benefitting from its close proximity to some of the world's top ballet companies). George Ballanchine famously would send his dancers to work with Pilates (Romana Kryzanowska was one of them).
In the early 2000's the Pilates method saw a surge in popularity with marketing aimed at targeting women. It is perhaps the result of the workout's notoriety among the prevalently female dance world and/or this marketing that has birthed this false myth and has turned men off from the workout originally designed with them in mind. Fortunately, in recent years the method has been gaining traction in the world of professional athletes and more men are finding their way back into Joe's version of a gym.
Currently over 50% of TPLA's clientele are men.
What's in it for Men?
· A great core workout! Pilates is the most core-targeting workout in existence. Using the core, aka Powerhouse, is literally everything in Pilates with every movement originating from the center of your body.
· Feel muscles you never thought existed
· Touch your toes and beyond (one of the most common tests to check hamstring and lower back flexibility)
· Fix neck tension and cut back on massage costs
· Be better, stronger and more flexible
· Stay active beyond your youth
· Stress relief - nothing like relieving your psoas to get you in a better mood