Pilates Quiz

Pilates is a mind-body exercise developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates. It is practiced worldwide, with approximately 11 million people practicing the discipline regularly and 14,000 instructors in the US alone. Pilates developed his method while interned during WWI, intending to strengthen the human mind and body, believing that mental and physical health were interrelated. Pilates' system allows for exercises to be modified in difficulty, from beginner to advanced or any other level, and to accommodate the instructor's and practitioner's goals and/or limitations. A number of versions of Pilates are taught today; most are based on up to nine principles. For the treatment of lower back pain, low-quality evidence suggests that while Pilates is better than doing nothing, it is no more effective than other forms of physical exercise. Pilates, however, emphasizes core strength where yoga emphasizes flexibility. Pilates is not professionally regulated. In October 2000, "Pilates" was ruled a generic term by a U.S. federal court, making it free for unrestricted use.