"If, at the age of 30, you are stiff and out of shape, you are old. If, at 60, you are supple and strong, then you are young - Joseph Pilates
A well-designed Pilates programme is one of the best ways to ward off the limitations of advancing age and brings a significant benefit even when it is undertaken at a very late stage. As we grow older we only have 10%-15% of the muscle strength we had in our youth if we don’t do any exercise.
Most Pilates exercises are low-impact and partially weight-bearing, which is good for the prevention of osteoporosis, the brittle-bone disease. The gentle routines build strength and improve posture, flexibility and agility. They are also good for balance and co-ordination.
Joseph Pilates himself was also probably the best single advertisement for the benefits of the exercise technique that bears his name, since he was lively, active and still teaching until his death - from a fire at his studio - at the age of 87.
If you have any ongoing ailments, you still may have to ask for medical advice before taking up Pilates and to start a little more slowly. For most, however, Pilates is both a safe and effective workout, which many do into their eighties, nineties and beyond. One of the beauties of Pilates is that we can tailor the exercises to suit each person and their limitations and the classes are small so everybody gets individual attention.
