MacFit360 West Pilates.

Welcome to MacFit360 Pilates , a new and improved exercise option for any age group, using the latest equipment and techniques in the Bahamas.

By definition, Pilates is a system of repetitive exercises performed on a mat or other equipment to promote strength, stability, and flexibility. Pilates exercises develop the body through muscular effort that stems from the core. The technique cultivates awareness of the body to support everyday movements that are efficient and graceful. As such, Pilates has been popular among dancers but it appeals to a wider audience. The Pilates Method was developed by Joseph Pilates during the 1920s.

Learn more about the Pilates Method and its benefits to find out if it’s the right style of fitness for you at Macfit360

What Is Pilates?

Core strength is the foundation of how Pilates works. Strengthening the core develops stability throughout the entire torso. This is one of the ways Pilates helps many people alleviate back pain.

Trunk stability through core engagement is the most important aspect of Pilates training since it dictates how the body moves, not just in the studio or gym but in daily life. For Joseph Pilates, the goal was to create a method that would allow the body to move with grace, ease, and efficiency. Such a body has to be both strong and flexible, and it has certain qualities of movement, such as being centered and balanced; fluid yet controlled.

The Pilates technique also prioritizes quality over quantity. Unlike other systems of exercise, Pilates exercises do not include a lot of repetitions for each move. The idea is that by performing each exercise with precision and focusing on the breath you can achieve significant results in a shorter amount of time.

There are six principles of Pilates.

They summarize the philosophy of the Pilates method and are essential to getting the most out of every exercise.

  • Centering: This is the practice of bringing your awareness to the center of your body—the area between the lower ribs and pubic bone. This central region of the core powers all Pilates exercises.
  • Concentration: By focusing on each exercise with your full attention, you will yield maximum results from each movement.
  • Control: Complete muscular control requires conscious, deliberate movement and is emphasized in every Pilates exercise.
  • Precision: Sustained awareness ensures that each movement is precise. This means the appropriate placement of each body part, and focusing on proper alignment and core engagement.
  • Breath: Joseph Pilates advocated for using the lungs to strongly pump the air fully in and out of the body. Most Pilates exercises coordinate with the breath since the breath is integral to the method.
  • Flow: Pilates exercises are not meant to be rigid. Fluidity, grace, and ease are applied to every movement. The idea is that the energy of an exercise performed from the central “powerhouse” connects each part of the body to move in a single fluid motion. Pilates equipment such as the reformer is a great indicator of flow since it functions best when a practitioner is performing movements with both precision and fluidity.

Bria Woods

Certified Pilates Instructor

Contact Us Today To Start!