AQUALATES - Pilates "Inspired" Aquatics was created and Trademarked in 2006, by Tori Brown and Chimene Montivero-Cole, MS, PT, of Pilates Associates of Central NY, LLC. It is a workout translated from the Pilates training venue, and utilizes exercises from the Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels, and Mat repertoires. AQUALATES uses the same principles and anatomical guidelines in all exercises and the workout is comparable. The difference is mainly in the unconscious and continuous activation of spinal stabilizers 100% of the time. Even when you're not consciously activating specific muscles, in the water all muscles are working all the time. (Otherwise you'd end up face down floating.)
Some authors have noted that AQUALATES could not be anywhere near as challenging to the core as doing the exercises on land because of the supportive properties of water. Quite the contrary...water makes the exercises quite intense because of the constant need to use your spinal stabilizers. Just try to stand perfectly still in a pool at shoulder-level for 1 minute. Now try it with 10 to 15 people moving around you. Can't do it. The muscles that work to keep you upright and steady in the water are the same muscles we target in every Pilates session we teach in the studio. It may be easy to float in the water, but it is not so easy to maintain neutral posture while performing movements of any sort. AQUALATES is an excellent choice for some of our older clients who have a difficult time with transitions, as well as anyone with arthritis, osteoporosis, or Parkinson's Disease. We can accommodate a pregnant or postpartum woman in the studio, but if you have been pregnant you'll understand why an aquatic workout that delivers similar benefits might be more appealing.We created AQUALATES as an "addition" to, rather than "instead of", studio instruction. But, some people just find core training more doable in the water. I have also had obese clients that would not make it through a standard mat class, yet feel empowered at their ability to do the water version. When it is a matter of exercising or not, why not give options?
I strongly suggest trying AQUALATES firsthand before discrediting it as marketing hype. Anyone telling you its not as good as Pilates has not done it with a certified instructor. If you'd like information on becoming certified, contact The PILATES Room and AQUALATES International in Ithaca, NY. visit the web site http://www.aqualates.us/, or just google AQUALATES.
