Dear readers, did you know that Pilates was originally a rehabilitation programme developed by a man for men? Nevertheless, our reader Olga Keller, who runs a Pilates studio in Zurich, still often hears: „But that’s a women’s sport.“ Yet she currently has more men than women in her studio!
Many of them come after key moments: injuries, back problems, stress, a change of heart. But many were originally sent by their wives! So that they stay fit and flexible and don’t end up having to do the proverbial „dog training“. Why do family fathers in particular benefit effectively from 50 minutes of Pilates? Keyword: less time for the gym, more focus on everyday fitness. Olga says: „I train men with desk jobs, family responsibilities or a sporting background – e.g. runners, ex-footballers or recreational athletes in midlife. My focus is on training that is time-efficient but lasts a whole week – Pilates as it was originally intended: for strength, flexibility, posture and regeneration. But how does it work when women drag their husbands to the studio? She tells us very vividly here… Some men are „forced“ into happiness đŸ˜‰.
The power of the loving (married) woman
The power of the loving (married) woman… it works! And yes, even with the most stubborn, unruly male beings. You have to imagine it like this: these women write me emails, friendly, clear, with precise ideas.
„I (as a woman with two children) urgently want to do something about my figure – arms, legs, bum and back. Oh yes, and the pelvic floor (in between) would also be good. When would you have an appointment, Olga? Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday morning after 8.30 a.m. would be perfect – once the kids are taken care of.“
So far, so clear. But then there’s often this postscript that makes me smile every time: „P.S.: I’m bringing my dear husband with me, who has back problems. He’s not convinced about Pilates, even though his physiotherapist has recommended it for his Scheuermann’s disease. He thinks Pilates is only for women. Just so you know.“
Wonderful, I think to myself. She wants to do it. He has to. đŸ˜‰ But that’s exactly part of my daily work: „Turning men brought along by loving (married) women into committed Pilates practitioners.“
And this works surprisingly often. Because these women know exactly when they can persuade their husbands to make an appointment – and what really works: not as „time together“ (definitely not!). But as joint planning, when the children are being looked after and both can take a short break from everyday life.
Then they sit there, these couples. Most of them are quiet, petite women who, with an invisible but formidable power, drag their strong, proud husbands to Pilates – and leave the rest to me. You can probably guess what men really think about Pilates. Your husband is probably no different. That was the case with Marco. And with Volker, Philipp, Bruno… and many others.
They all came with raised eyebrows and a hint of scepticism in their eyes: „All right, if we must.“ But believe me – after the first lesson, I almost always hear the same sentence: „Wow. I never would have thought that. That feels really good!“
The amazing thing is that as soon as men lie down on the Reformer and start working their legs against the steel springs, they suddenly realise: „Hey, that’s a good line – from the legs to the abdominal muscles to the back.“
As soon as they sit on the Cadillac and move a bar in front of them that is attached to a spring, they immediately feel how beneficial this forward and backward movement is for their spine. They move in all directions – often for the first time in a long time.
And when they finally lie down on the hill, the so-called Spine Corrector, they can properly lay down their spine, open their chest and take a deep breath – something that many men simply cannot do in their everyday working lives.
50 minutes of Pilates helps
Because 50 minutes of Pilates is enough to notice a change. In your back. In your posture. In your energy. No noise, no pressure, no muscle flexing – just targeted movement, breathing and calm.
Many of these men come back on their own later. Not because their wives send them, but because they themselves feel: This is good for me.
And yes, sometimes it takes the power of a loving woman who knows when to seize the right moment. But in the end, it is the men themselves who realise that 50 minutes a week can be enough to feel strong, upright and flexible again. So if you have a man like that at home – sceptical but plagued by back pain – feel free to bring him along. I’ll take it from there. đŸ˜‰
Info: Joseph Pilates invented his method during the First World War in an internment camp for other men. His first „students“ were fellow inmates in a camp. The exercises he taught them were anything but easy – they were based on hard German gymnastics, self-observation and a lot of physical discipline.
