SPORTS INJURY How to tackle it EXERCISE The power of Pilates ...

September 2005 www.healthspectrum.co.ukN E HEALTH7The powerof PilatesEXERCISEPILATESWHAT IT CAN DOFOR YOU● Strengthens back● Longer, leaner, tonedmuscles● Improved fitness andflexibility● Improved andstrengthened pelvicfloor● Improved control ofbladder and bowel● Improved recovery rateafter giving birth● Improved wellbeing/alleviationofdepression● Improved coordination● Creates balance andnatural poiseNOT many men are as familiar withpelvic floor exercises as RussellTurner. The pelvic floor, usually abit of a mystery to men, is one of thebits midwives tend to concern themselveswith after a birth. It’s also a part of thebody that tends to give way with age, leading toembarrassing “leaks” that have nothing to dowith the government and newspapers.But it’s Russell’s job, too, to concern himselfwith the pelvic floor. And buttocks. And pubicbones… and all sorts of other bits that usuallyget ignored in public.Russell teaches Pilates, which systematicallyexercises all the muscle groups in the body withthe aim of increasing “core” strength. It’s beenaround for more than 70 years, but has becomehugely popular over the past decade, partly becausecelebrityville has taken to it with suchgusto. Madonna is a fan, and Jennifer Aniston,and Gwynnie, who used it to help her get backinto shape after the birth of little Apple.Now, in sports halls and gyms around thecountry, it’s available to the rest of us too. “Thereis no age barrier,” says Russell, who lives in Oakenshaw,near Crook. “People of all ages can doit, standing up, sitting or lying down. I have onelady of 80 who comes, who’s a great horse rider,and she says it’s fantastic for increased musclepower.”Russell, now 46, has been in the fitness gamefor a long time. He started off as a butcher, butwhen his father had a heart attack at the age of44, it shocked Russell into a change of career.He moved into fitness and ended up as managerof Teesdale Sports Centre. His move to personaltraining and Pilates came after a nasty car accidentand back operations. “Specialists told me Ihad long term spine degeneration,” says Russell.“They said I should have another operation butI was really scared and desperate to avoid it.”Determined to create a strong body for himself,Russell tried yoga, then t’ai chi, and finallyfound the answer in Pilates. It was the perfectcure for Russell’s injury as it helps strengthenthe core muscles which support the spine.Calling to mind the old song which points outhow all our bones are connected to each other,Pilates takes an holistic approach to the body.Thus, if one muscle is slack, the bones will notbe supported, posture will suffer and other partsof the body will gradually suffer too.“If the body is out of alignment, you are notusing certain muscles. They become shorter andweaker and that affects the next bit,” saysRussell.Some of the problems are occupational – hairdressersand people who use computers, for example,are often kyphotic (hunched over).“Or if people have a hollow back, you knowtheir pelvis is tilted wrong way, so that hip flexorexercises are going to be tough, the abdominalsand buttock muscles will be weak andthey’ll have a lack of lumbar stability,” says Russell.“I can tell by looking at someone which exercisesthey will have difficulty with. That’s whyI walk round the class suggesting alternatives…everyone’s bodies are different, some can do oneexercise, others can do another.”There’s no upper age limit in Russell’s classes– “the older generation is healthier than many16-year-olds today,” he says. He teaches morewomen than men, but thinks that’s probably becausewomen are more aware of wanting to lookgood and that sporty men tend to gravitate towardsteam games, but everyone is welcome.Strength, suppleness, good posture and musclestrength are the main aims, but there is alsoevidence that doing Pilates before and duringpregnancy can lead to an easier birth and Russellwould like to work together with the healthservice offering classes for pregnant women. “Ihave midwives and doctors who come to myclasses and they think it would be a great idea,”he says.He is hugely enthusiastic and keen to encouragepeople to look after their bodies. “That’swhere gyms often fall down in comparison withexercise classes, because once you’ve joined andthey’ve taken the money, they aren’t bothered. Iwant to motivate people, to help them to improvethemselves. I enjoy working with people and it’svery rewarding when they come up and say ‘myshoulder was killing me, now it’s fantastic’, orwhen a member informs me that she hasdropped two dress sizes.”Pilates is also an excellent exercise for thosewho find it difficult to switch off at the end of theday. “Because you have to think about the moves,it takes your mind off the stresses and worriesof daily life,” says Russell, who often includes arelaxation period at the end of a class.“I’ve got all sorts of qualifications and done allsorts of training and classes over the 17 yearsI’ve been working in fitness, but if I had to chooseone exercise regime, it would have to be Pilates.The fact is, after the accident, that if it hadn’tbeen for Pilates, I wouldn’t be able to teach anythingphysical at all.”● Russell runs classes in Barnard Castle,Crook, Whorlton, Stainton, Hamsterley andStanhope. For more information contact(07951) 782657Instructor Russell Turner:credits Pilates with makingit possible for him to workPicture: STUART BOULTONIt was the injuries he sustained in a nasty car accidentthat led personal trainer Russell Turner to take upPilates. He tells JENNY NEEDHAM about its benefits20%offall stock at ShewansLimited period only from Monday 3rd Octoberto Saturday 8th October.Many frames and sunglasses are alreadyreduced, including designer ranges and witha further 20% OFF, we are sure you will findsomething very tempting in ourARMANI, BURBERRY, DOLCE & GABBANA,DIESEL, FCUK, RALPH LAURENnewA moist, fresh contact lens feeling from morning tonight, available to try at Shewans Opticians NOW!94 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland01388 602567