The Origins of Pilates

During World War I, a German named Joseph Pilates was interned in England where he worked as an orderly in a hospital that tended to injured war veterans. While he was there, he created a series of spring-controlled apparatus designed to help bed-ridden hospital patients engage in light resistance exercise. His method of exercise became known as "contrology" because it involved using the mind to control and focus on core muscles in the body as exercises were performed. He created "The Pilates Principle" which utilized a series of 34 exercises to strengthen, stretch and stabilize key muscles through proper alignment, centering, breathing, concentration, control, and precision with flowing movements.

Over time Joe developed more apparatus to add to his repertoire of specialized Pilates machines.

Joe brought Pilates to the United States when he moved to New York City in 1926 with his wife Clara and opened the first studio near the New York City Ballet. It became quite popular with the dancers since they could build long lean muscles with a strong core to support their movements. By the early 1960s Pilates had gained popularity outside New York City with many of Joe's students becoming teachers and opening their own studios, adding their own variations using the original principles.

In the 1970s Pilates became fashionable among Hollywood celebrities when former student Ron Fletcher opened his LA studio introducing innovations to Pilates inspired by his years as a Martha Graham dancer. By the 1990s Pilates was no longer limited to the elite taking on huge popularity among the mainstream along with yoga and Tai chi. Joseph Pilates died in 1967 at the age of 87.

Shannon Helfrich (Vice-President, Co-Founder) & Annette Kaptur (President, Co-Founder) at The Bootcamp Express are Peak Pilates Certified Instructors, both for MAT and Reformer. Both integrate Pilates Core Foundations in their Workouts!

Join us for the Monster Dash

Annette will be running the 1/2 Marathon - but choose your race! Dress up, have fun and Dominate Your Workout! Annette will be training at The Bootcamp Express, 1515 W. Berwyn Ave., Chicago, IL - M, W, & F. The forest preserves of Willow Springs will serve the other days.

Monster Dash: October, 31, 2010

Welcome to Chicago's Monster Dash -- a great combination of Halloween fun with a fantastic run!

The Monster Dash is a Half Marathon and 5K race on October 31st complete with a costume contest, great running gear for participants, a beautiful course starting and finishing in Grant Park, and of course -- trick or treating! This event is for everyone in your family and is sure to put you in a festive mood for your spooktacular holiday. Do it once and you'll find you and your friends and family will want to make the Monster Dash a Halloween tradition each year!

Register now for the Monster Dash Half or 5K!

Monster Half Marathon: Start Time 8:00 a.m.

You're invited to come in costume for the 13.1 miles along a tree-lined and park-lined route, with views of Soldier Field and the Chicago skyline. Participants get a 1/2 zip running hoodie (men and women's cuts-- women's have thumb holes!), plus your medal is a great gnarly Harley-style belt buckle (see photo upper right)!

Monster Dash 5K: Start Time approximately 8:45 a.m.

This three mile run is a favorite among costumed runners! Our water stops also double as trick-or-treat stops for the kids! Adults get a unisex long-sleeved running shirt and kids get a electroluminesence (EL) short-sleeved tshirt. YUP! It lights up! See the Gear.




Go to: http://www.chicagomonster.org/ and sign up today! Let's have some fun before the snow falls!