10 PRO PULSE SEPTEMBER \\ OCTOBER 2013

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GROUP FITNESS

reshape your body through

PILATESBy Staci Stratton, Group Fitness Supervisor

It’s common to ask yourself, “How do they do it?” when seeing renowned women fl aunting their incredible fi gures on the red carpet. Being a fi tness professional, I know their fl at stomachs, toned arms and legs are not an accident. These celebrities’ fi tness routines are carefully thought out and strictly followed in order to shape their body for a night of constant camera close-ups.

So how do they do it!?

Incredible bodies like those of Cameron Diaz, Megan Fox, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and others have been achieved through the practice of Pilates. Many of these women also attest that they’ve achieved such great results with Pilates because it’s a more enjoyable way of working out. Pilates is designed to fatigue muscles in unique ways, leaving the body feeling worked but energized.

How can Pilates reshape the body?

First, it’s important to understand that muscle is the reason why lean and toned body parts are visually so appealing. It’s also the secret to anti-aging. These female celebrities aim for muscles that are long and strong without excessive bulk, which is the type of muscle Pilates can achieve.

A common misunderstanding of Pilates is that it only focuses on strengthening the core or abdominal muscles. Pilates is a total-body workout that connects the strength of the core muscles with the rest of the body. The following are some common “problem” areas that concern women. The muscles underneath the surface that can be strengthened in order to shape the body, Pilates style!

Inner Thighs (also known as adductors). These fan-shaped muscles connect down the inner thigh, enabling the legs to move toward each other and also help stabilize the knees and hips. Without them you wouldn’t be able to do a jumping jack or kick a ball.

Butt (also known as your glutes). This large group of muscles attaches to the back of the upper leg and “sitting bones.” They work to pull the legs apart and extend the legs behind the body, and are extremely important for squatting and climbing stairs.

Stomach. There are four major muscle groups that make up the stomach. The deepest layer is the transverse abdominus and pelvic fl oor muscles. The transverse abdominus, a fl at muscle that wraps around the torso like a thick belt, constantly aids in stabilizing the spine. When fi red consistently, this muscle can also help narrow the waist. The pelvic fl oor muscles span the area underneath the pelvis and are important in supporting the internal organs. The obliques and rectus abdominus make up the more superfi cial muscles. The muscles along the sides of the waist, the internal and external obliques, aid in fl exion, side bending, and twisting. The rectus abdominus, which runs from the pubic crest to the sternum, fl exes the spine forward.

Arms. The biceps and triceps are long sets of muscles on the front and back of the arms, allowing the elbow to bend and straighten. Picking anything up would be impossible without these muscles.

These are just a few muscles that can be “sculpted” with Pilates for a more youthful and sexier look and feel.

Pilates has the ability to reshape the body and improve posture, but most importantly, practicing Pilates will make anyone feel good, which is important, whether or not that’s caught on camera.

toned arms and legs are not an accident. These celebrities’ fi tness routines are carefully thought out and strictly followed in order

achieved through the practice of Pilates. Many of these women