Pilates offers proven health benefits

It has been 10 years since I started teaching a Pilates mat class at Bayfront Park Recreation Center. Pilates was little-known then, and the classes were tiny. Today, it is a different story: In any given week, Pilates students might well outnumber yoga attendees.

Although interest in Pilates has burgeoned, it is clearly more than a fad. Joseph Pilates conceived his method nearly 100 years ago and named it “contrology,” because it teaches control of the muscles. He invented the apparatuses that are still used today. The method also includes floor work known as mat Pilates. One legend has it that he created the equipment to get students strong enough to do mat work, but I discount that story.

Only recently has there been research documenting the benefits of Pilates. There is “strong evidence,” meaning findings from multiple studies with valid control groups, that Pilates improves flexibility, dynamic balance and muscle endurance in adults overall and specifically in women over 60. There is “moderate evidence,” meaning that more research is needed to confirm the findings, that Pilates improves life satisfaction and psychological well-being, including self efficacy (believing in yourself), mood and sleep quality. Read more about the research here.

To get the most benefit from a Pilates routine, research suggests that if you are healthy, you should train two to three times a week for at least an hour per session. On Longboat Key, that isn’t easy. There are the mat classes I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, but only from November through April. You can do a private mat workout with Jennifer Schwindt, the Key’s original Pilates teacher. She was trained by Joseph Pilates’ first disciple, Romana Kryzanowska, some 20 years ago and now specializes in Stott Pilates.

But there are only two reformers on the Key. One is at Your Fitness Trainer in the Publix plaza, where you can book a private session with Peak Professional-certified Karen Shapiro. The other is at the members-only Longboat Key Club Fitness Center.

If you really want the full Pilates experience with the apparatus, which I strongly recommend for new students, you have to go to the mainland. The good news is that there are several easy-to-get-to studios. Sarasota’s original Pilates studio, Dynamic Fitness, is on Bee Ridge Road, a bit outside the arbitrary circle I drew for this article, but I would be remiss in not mentioning it. Former Sarasota Ballet dancer Kathy Dandois Boivin is the owner, and I did my own reformer workouts there for many years.

PILATES PROVIDERS
Here are some easily accessible studios that offer the complete array of Pilates apparatuses, including reformers, tower units, wunda chair, high chair, Cadillac (trapeze table), pedi pole, ladder barrel, spine corrector and small barrels.

Pilates Loft
Founded: 2013
777 Palm Ave., Suite 12, Sarasota; 661-4679, pilatesloftsarasota.com
Owner: Darcie Allen, [email protected]
Cost: $95 for private sessions or eight sessions for $680; duet sessions are $60 or eight sessions for $400
Darcie Allen holds Stott Pilates essential, intensive and ISP (injuries and special populations) certifications. Stott is a contemporary interpretation of Pilates emphasizing modern principles of exercise physiology and rehabilitation.

Gadar Pilates
Founded: 2000
Studio in Arlington Park, Sarasota
955-3800
pilatespersonaltraining.com
Owner: Christina Maria Gadar, [email protected]
Cost: $70 for initial assessment; $60 for private sessions; $45 for duet sessions (instructor approval required)
Cristina Gadar is a former dancer who was trained and certified by Joseph Pilates’ original protégé, Romana Kryzanowska. Her studio has highly specialized equipment in addition to the standards.

The Pilates Body
Founded: 2006
1071 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota
955-5533
Pilatessrq.com
Owner: Joanne Hayashi, [email protected]
Cost: Private sessions, duets and small group reformer classes are available, plus Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis training. Call for pricing.
Longboaters will be happy to learn that one of the trainers here is Cinde Carroll, who was fitness director at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort from 1988 to 1997.

Pilates Principles
Founded: 2003
471 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
374-3737
pilatesprinciples.com
Owner: Teresa Kruger, [email protected]
Cost: $80 for private sessions; four sessions for $300*; eight sessions for $420*. (*Use within 30 days.)
Teresa Kruger’s passion is passing on the original work of Joseph Pilates as taught by his protégé, Romana Kryzanowska.

Designer Fitness
Founded: 1995
32 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota
363-1413
designerfitness.com
Owner: Darla O’Brien, [email protected]
Cost: Private sessions and small group classes; call for pricing
Darla O’Brien’s certifications include ACSM, ACE, AFAA and NFPT; she was nominated for “IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year” in 2009.

Pilates Is A Workout
Founded: 2012
711 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota
207-329-5869
pilatesisaworkout.com
Owner: Michelle Sibilia, [email protected]
Cost: $520 for eight private sessions; $270 for four; $360 for eight duets or $200 for four. Classes are $15.
Michelle Sibilia is a classicist, certified by Power Pilates. She is also a Power Pilates teacher trainer and a Pilates Method Alliance certified teacher.

Molly Schechter is an ACE-certified personal trainer since 1996. She has a specialty certification in older-adult fitness plus YogaFit Instructor Training, SCF Yoga Fundamentals I and II and Power Pilates™ Mat certifications. She teaches Pilates mat classes and “Joy of Stretch” yoga classes at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center from November through April. Email her at [email protected].