The Only Man In Pilates Class - Again.

[Nick Danger]

Not that I'm complaining, actually. I rather like the attention of being the only man in my Pilates class.

I do often wonder why this form of exercise, developed by a man, is so much more popular with women. Is there something not very masculine about Pilates that I'm missing?

For sports-minded guys, I can see that Pilates would seem boring compared to a rousing game of basketball, but for generally unathletic men like me, it's a great workout. I've been doing it about 8 months now, and I definitely sit up straighter and walk taller than before. My abs have never looked better.

I've only done mat Pilates - those machines still look like medieval torture devices to me. I take two classes per week, and also do some aerobic and weight workouts, plus lots of walking. It's a fitness plan that seems to be working well for me.

Any other Pilates regulars here?

Nick

 

[JoshuaNY]

My feeling is that it has a female connotation, because it doesn't include huge machines and free weights. Men(big generealization here) tend to gravitate towards picking up heavy things and putting them back down. And some men work out to get bigger and Pilates does not really do that. It is more of a get in shape and stay in shape type of activity. And since most women don't generally want to get bigger they are drawn to body resistence exercises

I personally think Pilates and Yoga are great for everyone

 

[Agravic]

Lucky man!

I am an Ashtanga Yoga aficionado and often wonder the same thing. The stereotypical view of Yoga being a relatively 'sedate' form of exercise is a common misconception amongst the men who choose to mock me. They don't know what they're missing out on. As pointed out by Joshua, Pilates and Yoga are great forms of exercise for the body and mind overall.

 

[k2clones29]

I am making this assumption based on my past assumptions, but things like pilates and yoga don't "feel" manly to many. When I opened my mind and tried Ashtanga Yoga, I was pleasantly surprised. I now do yoga at least once a week as a part of my normal workout routine. I think there is a closed-minded perception from men in general. They are very mind-oriented, yin-yang methods of exercise, which carries a stigma that they are not masculine.

 

[Obsessed]

When I opened my mind and tried Ashtanga Yoga, I was pleasantly surprised.

I used to do Ashtanga regularly. It was great; I really should get back to it.

 

[Prince]

Yoga is a slow form of torture. I have a yoga workout on DVD that will have you crying in about 15 minutes. As long as you are working out, that is all that matters.

Now, if you are the only guy in a room of attractive ladies, well, that is just a bonus.

 

[blary54]

After doing the P90X Yoga(which I think is actually pretty basic yoga exercises)...I now have a new respect for yoga. Being a big weightlifter I thought Yoga was for women. After I was done I was drenched in sweat. IMO the hardest P90X workout. That being said im the type of guy that likes to pick up heavy things and put them back down so yoga really isnt for me. But, I now think that yoga(cant speak for Pilates...don't really know what it all entails) can be manly.

 

[Uncle Brian]

I have done Pilates and can recommend it to any guy, i was also the only guy in a class of ladies ;] I'm going to give Yoga a try to see how i feel about donig that and have booked a beginners class for the 15th. I expect it will be difficult but rewarding ;]

 

[Austin]

That's a way to meet chicks.

 

[Benedictine]

+1, nice way to meet chicks.

I have not lifted a single weight other than my own body in a loooong time, and I'm in my best shape ever, I don't think that weightlifting at the gym is a synonym of being masculine any more, there are plenty of sports that doesn't involve a traditional gym but nevertheless helps you gain muscle.

I combine Rock Climbing and Crossfit, and I hate lifting weights and traditional gyms, by the way, it's just my personal opinion.

 

[Catalin]

I too have done both Pilates and yoga. They are both great forms of exercise. The chicks are just an added bonus. I wouldn't worry about the perception....

 

[Agravic]

I too have done both Pilates and yoga. They are both great forms of exercise. The chicks are just an added bonus. I wouldn't worry about the perception....

The perception to worry about is what the ladies think .

 

[Commander Quan]

This has the making for a great 90's beer commercial.

 

[Argonaut]

This has the making for a great 90's beer commercial.

Enter Spuds McKenzie with a 12 pack and a Twister mat!

 

[rajagra]

for ... me, it's a great workout.

If it works for you then it is a great workout.
I think the reason it isn't mainstream is that it is (often) very gentle exercise, and that doesn't achieve the results that many people want.
Want to build big muscles? You need to overload them to the point of failure.
Want to improve cardiovascular performance? You need to work hard until you are gasping for breath.
Want better flexibility? You have to stretch beyond your normal range of motion.
There's a common pattern. To create improvement, you need to send your body a clear message that it isn't up to the job you expect it to do.

Pilates (especially the machines) is marketed as an easy and comfortable exercise. If you do it that way, all you will do is burn off a few calories, and not very efficiently at that.
I suppose a good class is a very different matter.

 

[Nick Danger]

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Pilates (especially the machines) is marketed as an easy and comfortable exercise. If you do it that way, all you will do is burn off a few calories, and not very efficiently at that.
I suppose a good class is a very different matter.

I think you hit the nail on the head: It's about marketing, and misperceptions.

Mainstream workout philosophy is based on the "no pain, no gain" idea. That is not true for Pilates or yoga, although both can be some of the hardest workouts you'll ever encounter. I suppose it's possible to take a Pilates mat class and coast through it, doing everything with minimal effort, and barely break a sweat while burning relatively few calories. It's also possible to take the same mat class, really paying attention to the way your muscle groups can work in opposition to strengthen each other, and end up with a fantastic workout. Pilates can build strength, aid flexibility and improve cardiovascular health. Some of those results depend on the quality of the instructor, but mostly it's up to the individual. Like so many other forms of exercise, with Pilates you get back what you're willing to put in.

Nick

 

[Judge Dredd]

So many comments here to agree with!

I lifted weights for 20+ years and then last year I took up yoga (Ashtanga and Hatha), which I now do 2-3 times a week. (I did Bikram once but it wasn't for me...don't mind the heat, but the boredom of the same frickin routine every single time...)

I love the physical challenge of yoga as well as the mental challenge.

It's particularly challenging when the room is FULL of HOT SWEATY CHICKS. It is more so when the HOT SWEATY CHICK INSTRUCTOR encourages you to look around if you're not sure (I'm frequently not sure...)

Plank/Up Dog (chataranga dandasana) is my favourite. I make sure I'm at the front of the class with HOT SWEATY CHICKS behind me, and when they do this pose, I make sure I get into Down Dog quickly so I can get a good look at their puppies.

 

[ReAndyMator]

+1 on the yoga.

Go in on a thursday evening, frustrated at the various issues of the week so far, walk out in a happy, sweaty, melty mess.

Last week, doing a forward fold, I touched my toes for the first time in, well, ever.

 

[Agravic]

+1 on the yoga.

Go in on a thursday evening, frustrated at the various issues of the week so far, walk out in a happy, sweaty, melty mess.

Last week, doing a forward fold, I touched my toes for the first time in, well, ever.

Awesome! I've been there ... it's a great feeling .
I always feel energized and relaxed post-yoga.

 

[mikelz777]

I'm a guy and I've enjoyed both yoga and Pilates. They are both more difficult than they appear and I always feel much better after having done a workout of either. I would welcome being in a class of all women bending over and such but it doesn't appear you're really complaining. I think it appeals more to women because both practices are associated with being flexible and bendy. Being flexible and bendy are not qualites often associated with men. I know a lot of guys who can barely touch their toes. I used to be able to stand straight legged and touch both palms to the floor. I've fallen out of the exercise routine for far too long and can no longer do that. I need to get back into the swing of things.