1. What exactly is Pilates?

Pilates is an exercise program that specifically works the �core�muscles of the body. The core can be described as the area of the body that stretches from the upper thighs to the chest. The core, which includes the abdominal and back muscles, is the power center of the body. Pilates can be used to meet different objectives. It can be used to great effect as part of a fitness routine which aims to increase general strength and conditioning for someone who is already fit and healthy or as part of a rehabilitation program. Many injuries (both in sport as well as in daily life) are a result of the core not being strong enough. An example of this would be an injury to the back which comes from the repetitive rotation of swinging a golf club. Another example would be a strained back as a result of lifting heavy boxes. Pilates can help strengthen the abdominal muscles and the back muscles. The strengthening of these specific muscles will prevent back injuries and also help mend already injured spines. An unsupported spine is only capable of holding 5kg of weight. The muscles of the spine and of the abdominals must be kept strong if the spine is expected to support the body�s weight as it moves through the tasks of everyday life.

2. Why is it important to include Pilates into your exercise regime?

I have been a personal trainer for over seven years. I love resistance training. I enjoy weight training for myself and I love watching my clients get stronger and leaner through the resistance training programs I put them on. The problem is that most people are slightly asymmetrical. These asymmetries can simply be from being right handed (and consequently favoring the right side of the body more than the left as they execute daily tasks) or these asymmetries could have been created by playing a specific sport (i.e. favoring one side of the body in a golf or baseball swing). No matter what caused the asymmetries, many traditional weight training exercises simply exacerbate these inequalities. Pilates works to create more balance in the body. Pilates also has the added benefit of creating more mind/body connection � which results in more body awareness. I find this added body awareness helps people with their resistance training routines because they are better able to concentrate on the muscles they are working as well as focus on their lifting techniques.

3. If I already do lots of cardio why is it important for me to include resistance training in my workout program?

A good fitness regime includes cardio, resistance training and flexibility exercises. Cardio is important because it keeps your heart healthy and helps burn calories. Resistance training is also vital because it helps to increase muscle mass which helps you increase your resting metabolic rate and therefore burn more calories at rest. It is also important to remember that although cardio will help you drop extra weight it will not reshape your body in the way that resistance training will. This is one of the many ways that personal training can be beneficial. Many people go to the gym and unfortunately just mindlessly do a cardio workout. I can help you by giving you a more effective cardio routine as well as help you choose and refine the resistance exercises that would be appropriate for your fitness level and body type.

4. Why should I pay money for an online program from you or Do Personal Training With You When I can get free exercises from Shape or other online magazines?

Online magazine like shape can be helpful. The problem is is that every body is different and online information only gives generic exercise guidelines. For example there are three main body types that people fit into Endomorph, Ectomorph and Mesomorph. These three exercise types will respond to exercise differently. Although you can do not change your body type, understanding your body type and its implications can help you find the conditioning program that will best suit you. Please refer to the article on the home page of the website for more information about body types.

In addition to different body types most people have different posture types. The four most iconic posture types are kyphosis/lordosis, military, swayback and Flatback. What posture type you are will possibly impact where you are tight and or weak in your body. This type of information is impossible for online fitness magazines to know because they have no assessment protocols. What posture type you are can greatly influence what exercises you should or should not be doing. Again please refer to the article on this websites home page for more information about this topic.