05/14/2026
Is your flexibility less than you’d like? Or do your joints feel stiff and lack the range of motion to do all the things you want?
The discipline of Pilates is a great solution to these scenarios. It can offer lasting improvement! I’ve seen it happen in my clients bodies and my own. It provides some of the key elements needed for long term improvement in flexibility and joint mobility.
1. Pilates is centered on finding strength to stabilize parts of your body while simultaneously allowing other parts to move with freedom!
2. The balanced nature of every workout helps develop antagonist muscle strength. For example, to create and maintain more length and flexibility in your quadriceps, you will need to develop the hamstrings (antagonist to quads) strength.
3. Movement in various tempos. For muscles to gain lasting improvement in length, they must work in a controlled tempo as they lengthen. Pilates, originally named Contrology, is all about this controlled movement. Yet, as we improve our ability to move with control, we challenge it with ‘flow’ - basically more dynamic movement.
4. Strength in all ranges of a muscle - from its shortest (or most contracted) position to its longest position (or most extended). Two examples of this are Open Leg Rocker, where you need to be able to use your glutes in their more lengthened position, and Swimming, where you need to be able to use the glutes in their shortened position.
Where do you need more flexibility or range of motion?
