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What an incredible stretching abilities!

Many high profile celebrities and sporting stars are now taking up Pilates. To name few I would mention Gareth Frank Bale and Ryan Giggs. Both Welsh footballers have been praising the benefits of Pilates.

So what is Pilates?

Pilates was a system invented by  Joseph Pilates who was a gymnast, diver, bodybuilder and just general all-round buff German dude. He developed a set of exercises that promoted good breathing, flexibility, strengthening of core muscles, and wearing a man nappy.  He had an idea that the things that people normally do, like working at a desk, or running, or lifting weights didn’t necessarily contribute to good long-term health and Pilates would be there to save us all.

If someone had walked into a football dressing room 15 years ago and explained the benefits of Pilates, they would have been laughed at and asked to leave. The misconception at the time was that it was only for girls. But look at this picture of Gareth Bale above, which demonstrates an abnormal stretching of his hamstring. That’s just one of the many benefits of this amazing class. Gareth considers himself lucky, but he credits the extension of his career to Pilates and maybe that’s why he’s still playing at 38. 

And look at Ryan Giggs. After one of the games, the commentators were discussing him and one of them credited his great form with the fact that he does Pilates. Ryan has famously put out a video of exercises that have allowed him to have a legendary long career. He attributes the fact that even in his 30s he is still incredibly strong and totally competitive to having done Pilates exercises his whole life.

So guys, if sportsmen like Gareth and Ryan are doing it, I hope it will encourage you to join this amazing class Wednesdays and Thursdays in Liffey Trust Centre.

Please click the link below for the timetable.

Wednesdays

Thursdays