Just about everywhere you look these days you're bound to find a mention of pilates. Whether it's classes at the gym, videos at the grocery store, or mats at the bookstore; this seemingly modest and gentle monster has turned the fitness, rehab and commercial worlds on their heads, and it doesn't appear to be letting up anytime soon.

A history

Developed in the early 1900's, Joseph Pilates worked to aid the recovery of English soldiers during WWI. Using only bedsprings and straps, Pilates was able to design a series of exercises that the incapacitated soldiers could perform from their sickbeds. It's these same exercises that Pilates himself later coined as Contrology. Today they're simply known as the Pilates Method.

The Pilates Method was originally used for rehabilitation, but has since evolved into one of the leading fitness and athletic training methods. It's popularity has increased at a blinding rate due to its focus on core stability, strengthening, stretching, breathing, and mind-body awareness. These integral concepts are what make it an ideal modality for both rehab and fitness training.

Products and resources for the home, clinic, or gym    

For anyone interested in pilates, mat exercises offer two key benefits: low equipments costs and only a minimal amount of space needed. (If you have a living room- you can do pilates) All that's required is a mat. To add variation, there are a number of accessories available to enhance your workout, such as: the Pilates Magic Circle, Swiss exercise balls, and the Overball.

OPTP is your source for the latest matwork pilates videos, DVDs and resource books. Here you'll find the latest book from pilates guru Brooke Siler, Your Ultimate Pilates Body Challenge: At the Gym, on the Mat, and on the Move; you'll also find her best selling book, The Pilates Body (Both books are very visual and easy-to-follow). Or you can add some variety to your pilates workout with Age Perfected Pilates: Mat Exercises Designed to Improve Strength, Posture & Movement, from Physical Therapist and Pilates expert Donna Gambino.

For rehab professionals looking to learn more about incorporating pilates into a rehab setting, try our hottest newcomer, Pilates for Rehab: Guidebook to Incorporating Pilates in Patient Care. Authors Kristin and Elizabeth Smith follow an evidence-based approach when applying Pilates Methods that are clinically relevant. References include, Paul Hodges, Shirley Sahrmann, Diane Lee, and Vladimir Janda.

To view all of OPTP's pilates products and resources, click here