Q. What are the benefits of STOTT PILATES®?
A. Benefits include:
- longer, leaner muscles (less bulk, more freedom of movement)
- improves postural problems
- increases core strength, stability and peripheral mobility
- helps prevent injury
- enhances functional fitness, ease of movement
- balances strength & flexibility
- heightens body awareness
- no-impact, easy on the joints
- can be customised to suit everyone from rehab patients to elite athletes
- complements other methods of exercise
- improves performance in sports (golf, skiing, skating etc.)
- improves balance, coordination & circulation
Q. What are the principles behind the STOTT PILATES® method?
A. STOTT PILATES® exercise improves core strength and balances the muscles around the joints, improving the way your body functions, looks and feels. It focuses specifically on:
- Breathing
- Pelvic placement
- Rib cage placement
- Scapular movement
- Head & cervical spine placement
Q. If I'm doing pilates, should I still do my regular workout?
A. STOTT PILATES® exercise is a musculo-skeletal conditioning program. In combination with some kind of cardiovascular exercise, spin bike (spinning), walking/jogging, it's all you need. For people who reach advanced levels, they can elevate their heart rate with STOTT PILATES® Power Paced workouts
Q. What kind of results can I expect from doing STOTT PILATES® exercise?
A. You can expect an increase in flexibility, mobility, balance, and body awareness, as well as a decrease in back pain or other general pains.
Q. How long will I have to do the workout before I see results?
A. The average active person doing 2-3 classes per week should see some results within 10-12 classes. This will vary depending on each individual and other factors such as the number of classes a person takes each week, whether they are private or group classes, whether they participate in other physical activities, and whether they have any existing injuries.
Q. Will I get the same results with a mat workout as with a reformer or equipment workout?
A. Mat-based workouts are very convenient and can be done anywhere. However, a mat workout will provide no added resistance. A reformer workout, on the other hand, will add resistance to your routine and can correct muscular imbalances better than a matwork routine would.
Q. How is STOTT PILATES® exercise different or better than weight training or other resistance exercise?
A. Pilates is three-dimensional (i.e. exercises can be performed using all movement planes)
- Spring resistance more closely resembles muscular contraction
- Emphasis on concentric/eccentric contraction for injury prevention
- STOTT PILATES® exercise is customizable for special needs
- In pilates exercise, emphasis is placed on rebalancing muscles around the joints
- Pilates corrects over-training and muscle imbalance that leads to injury
- Pilates emphasises balancing strength with flexibility (for injury prevention and more efficient movement)
- STOTT PILATES® exercise leads to an improvement in posture and body awareness