Pilates for Children
The health of today’s children is compromised by a culture of convenience and increasingly sedentary activity. Eating fast food, watching TV and playing video games has become habitual while a nutritious diet and physical activity is on the downslide. The age range for Pilates is wide and depends on what type of Pilates you are doing. Generally, the minimum age for Pilates is 8 years old, but children as young as 5 can also do Pilates with the help of a certified instructor. Pilates is a great way to develop strength and coordination for teens, so it’s a great way to start. At Chaise Fitness, our instructors are certified and can tailor our Pilates classes to suit each individual’s needs. We work with teens and adults.
Pilates For Children
Certified Instructors:
At Chaise Fitness, our classes are designed to provide a safe environment and to ensure that everyone is getting the most out of their Pilates experience. Our instructors are always willing to help and guide you through the exercises. We also recommend that you work with a certified instructor to ensure that you’re doing the exercises correctly and getting the most benefit.
Pilates is a great way to improve your overall health and well-being, regardless of age. With the right instructor and the right level of intensity, anyone can benefit from the practice. If you are doing Pilates at home, your toddler may imitate your movements. This sets up a good practice of exercise and healthy practices. If you’re wondering what age is appropriate for Pilates, we recommend starting at 8 years old. At this age, children are developmentally ready to take on the physical challenges of Pilates and can benefit from the improved coordination, strength, and posture.
Is Pilates Okay for Children?
Concerned parents are now looking at exercise programs for their children in an effort to keep them fit and set them up for a lifetime of good health. A recent report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that approximately 30.3% of children between the ages of 6 to 11 are overweight and that 15.3% are obese. For adolescents between the ages of 12 to 19, 30.4% are overweight and 15.5% are obese. These are startling numbers and much higher than in previous years.
A rigorous exercise regimen, however, may not be beneficial for young children and could even be harmful. The concern stems from the fact that a young child’s developing skeletal frame cannot handle the demanding forms of exercise in more aerobic-oriented or cardiovascular programs. For these children, a safer, healthier, low-impact workout is needed such as Pilates.
Benefits:
While the popularity of Pilates among adults is well chronicled, the exercise program also offers a large range of benefits to children. As children grow, their bodies are in a constant state of change and development. Improved posture and spinal alignment are realized as exercises increase the strength and flexibility of the abdominal and inner muscles of the body’s core. Pilates promotes toned, sleek bodies and improves athletic performance. Through Pilates, children can gain awareness of their body, and learn how to move efficiently and gracefully.
Parent child exercise:
Parent child exercise establishes a lifestyle of fitness. Pilates is done correctly will formulate the physical attributes that they will take through life. Posture, the way they walk, the way they bend over, and back safety are developed before the age of ten. Pilates can help establish correct principles of movement that children will use for their entire lives. It will also create a balanced musculature that can alleviate pain and reduce the potential for injury now and as they continue to grow into adulthood.
Beyond physical fitness, having a strong core can open up other benefits for children-including improved learning. Advocates believe that when trunk, or torso, stability is absent, sitting and standing for extended periods in school can be difficult. If children are expending their energy throughout the day just to maintain stability, their stamina for homework and other after school activities may be depleted. A strong trunk or core conserves their energy and allows them to be more attentive to schoolwork.
Because Pilates is a mind and body discipline, it can guide kids to a stronger body, and a more relaxed state of mind. Working to strengthen their bodies can increase children’s self-esteem, stamina, abdominal strength and sleep. That, combined with the focused breathing techniques essential to the exercises, can help kids attain a much more serene and less stressful outlook.
Lastly, parent child workouts establish a lifelong bond. This type of shared activity can be carried into adulthood. Setting aside a half hour to an hour each day to be together will prevent some of the angst of adolescence and promote communication. Exercise promotes feelings of wellbeing which will strengthen the parent child bond.
Now many clubs and studios are offering classes aimed specifically at children. Generally, Pilates is suitable for children eight years and up under adult supervision. If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in a class, here are a couple of things to think about:
1. Make sure the instructor not only has Pilates experience but is experienced working with children.
2. Most classes are mat based, often including stability balls, which are easy for children to use. However, some classes are offered on reformers-moving carriages inside a wooden or metal frame, connected to a network of pulleys, ropes and springs. While effective and fun, equipment-based exercise programs are aimed at adults, so ask the instructor how they’re modifying the movements on the Reformer for children.
3. Ask about Parent child classes. Sharing activities together are the most fun!
ChaiseFitness Offers Pilates for Children in Upper East Side in Manhattan
At ChaiseFitness, we believe that anyone can be fit—no matter what skill level or body type. This belief inspired the creation of our patented Reinvention Method, which is for everyone—the athlete, the dancer, the beginner, the advanced, the rebuilder. We blend Pilates, ballet, and strength training and equip you with a chair and overhead bungees so that you work out all your muscles every time. We are located in the Upper East Side in Manhattan. For more information, you can contact us at (973)996-2063, or visit our website.
