Quantum Fitness Pilates -- Dupont Circle, 2130 P St. NW, Washington DC

What Is Pilates?

Pilates is unlike any other exercise regimen. Contrary to high-impact aerobics or heavy weightlifting, Pilates doesn't stress your body to the limits in order to create bulky muscle. Instead, a series of focused and controlled movements is used to effect dramatic changes in your body: you'll walk taller, you'll be slimmer, you'll lose pain in your neck and back, you'll increase your ab strength, and your joints will loosen up -- creating a feeling of walking on air.

The theory behind Pilates is simple: the alignment of your body -- head in line with spine in line with hips and knees -- allows for optimal health. Pilates exercises are designed to build the necessary muscles to keep that long, straight alignment in place throughout the day.

Pilates was developed by Joseph H. Pilates (1880-1967), a German who had rheumatism and asthma as a child. These conditions fueled him at a young age to develop an athletic physique; he succeeded so well that one of his many jobs was to be the "human Greek statue" with a traveling circus. He lived in England during World War I and was interned because he was a German national. Confined to the internee and POW camp for over a year, he developed new and unique ways to maintain his own exercise regimen as well as help with others' physical therapy.

Over the years, Joseph Pilates expanded this regimen to over 500 exercises --some for the mat, some using machines with pulleys and springs. He immigrated to the U.S. before World War II, and set up a Pilates studio with his wife Clara in New York City. There taught what he called "contrology" to help dancers as well as for physical therapy and general exercise.

There are two main components to Joseph Pilates's vision -- mat work and machine work. The mat work is generally taught in a class scenario. It is deceptively simple for those used to strenuous ab-toning classes often found in a gym, but it can teach you how to locate, strengthen, and tone any individual muscle group you choose. This leads to strength and control over your body as seen in dancers, gymnasts, and Cirque du Soleil performers.

Machine work is usually done one-on-one with a trainer and uses springs to offer weight resistance. The machines are sometimes used in traditional weightlifting ways, in which more weight builds more muscle. Typically, however, the weight is used to help you perform the more complex exercises -- with less and less weight used as time goes on. (Imagine how holding onto a rope might help with doing a sit up -- as your core strength increases you would no longer need the rope.)

Clients may commit to mat work, machines, or both, since all the exercises have the same goals: to lengthen and straighten your posture, to increase your flexibility, and to improve your core strength.