The Limitations of Pilates

While the famous Pilates Method continues to convert long time fitness enthusiasts to its way of whole body conditioning and training, even its most ardent supporters understand that pilates does come with its own set of limitations. Pilates supporters have long understood the numerous health benefits of regular pilates practice. The precision and slow precise movements and repetition inherent in pilates practice has been known to dramatically increase flexibility, improve postural symmetry and circulation, and help create a toned and lean all-over look. The pilates system has also been known to help strengthen joint and muscle health, and can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis as well as chronic neck and back pain. Pilates has also been lauded for its ability to help protect against injury and to sculpt the whole body rather than just certain sets of muscles.

If regular pilates practice indeed can help you achieve these health benefits, what are some of the limitations of pilates, if any? Some fitness experts argue that although pilates is commonly billed as a 'whole body' conditioning system, it does not represent a complete fitness routine or discipline. According to some fitness experts, pilates should not be your sole means of fitness or movement. It must be augmented with other forms of exercise in order to complete your fitness routine. So what are the major limitations of the Pilates Method? Some health experts suggest that pilates practice does not supply enough cardiovascular benefits to sustain a healthy body. Because pilates does not exert the body or contain much high impact and high output movements, some fitness experts believe that it may not provide enough cardiovascular benefits. Another limitation of pilates is that it does not build muscle mass. To some, this is actually a benefit of pilates because it does not build the bulky muscles associated with other forms of exercise. But for others who are seeking to build muscle mass, pilates may represent a limited discipline.

Another significant limitation of the Pilates method has to do with controversy surrounding its ability to integrate into more traditional rehabilitation formats. While some pilates experts recommend pilates to patients undergoing some kinds of rehabilitation therapy, some doctors argue that other strength and conditioning exercises are better suited for some patients. For instance, some doctors recommend that patients with certain conditions, including osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteogenesis, imperfecta, and Osteomalacia should be treated with more conventional forms of rehabilitation therapy. At the very least, these doctors suggest, the patient should discuss their options extensively with their doctor and therapist before plunging into a pilates program.

Finally, critics of pilates argue that some of the physical conditioning benefits of pilates are exaggerated for the sake of promotion. Many commercial pilates systems emphasize that regular practice can result in long and lean muscles. Some health experts argue that these claims are exaggerated in order to promote and sell pilates systems. Even professional pilates instructors and experts agree that pilates should be viewed more as a whole mind- body system rather than as a means to achieve a perfectly sculpted body.