Local Pilates studios welcoming more and more men

Matt Beck, who has been taking Pilates mind-body exercise classes for about a year, doesn’t have a problem with the fact the workout is primarily associated with females.

“I never minded working out with a whole bunch of girls,” said Beck. “Sounds fine to me.”

Originally from the East Coast, Beck, who moved to Newport Beach eight years ago, was looking for an exercise program that fit into his daily activities and didn’t aggravate his recurring back pain issues. He decided Pilates was the best solution.

The 6-foot-5 mortgage broker mixes cardio, light weights and Pilates under the same roof at TZoneOC Fitness-Pilates located on 17th street in Costa Mesa. Beck said he visits the studio up to five times a week and starts to feel it when he misses a trip.

From left, Matt Beck, Andrea Angstadt and Josh Canova engage in a pre-workout stretch at TZoneOC Fitness-Pilates, Costa Mesa, as instructor Sierra Mark looks on.

(Susan Hoffman)

“I’ve had zero back issues since I started,” Beck said. “I developed lean muscle and lost 3% body fat. Pilates corrects any muscle imbalances and complements the strength training workout.”

TZoneOC Fitness-Pilates owner Sean Canova recently pumped new life into his Pilates studio by investing in 14 sleek Balance Body Allegro 2 reformers. The modern engineering, with its raised height, offers new and improved choices for routines.

”What we’re doing is a nontraditional fusion between strength training and Pilates,” said Canova. “The goal of combining the unlimited gym features and Pilates workout is to promote overall fitness.”

The Pilates workout is older than many might think. During the first World War, when Joseph Pilates, a German physical trainer who was interred with other German nationals, began developing the movements that he termed “contrology.”

Owner of Escape Pilates Costa Mesa Bristin Andreae demonstrates side lateral arm exercise using hand weights paired with leg lateral movements on the reformer.

(Susan Hoffman)

Mitchell Bryant, drives 30 minutes twice a week to his Pilates classes at Escape Pilates just down the street from TZoneOC. Bryant, a project manager who divides his work schedule between his home in Tustin and his office in Irvine wanted to deal with sciatica and sought a change in his fitness routine to combat the pain.

Bryant said that since he began consistently doing Pilates over the last seven to eight months he has become more flexible and dexterous.

“I sit at a desk all day,” he said. “One of the key components for me is it has helped since I’ve been doing it, the sciatica pain is gone.”

Bryant acknowledged a lot of men think they need to be big, bulky and chiseled and look for workouts to achieve that goal.

“There’s not a lot of men that are doing [Pilates],” said Bryant. “I see benefits even from a male perspective, it strengthens you in a lot of areas you neglect. They usually work on large muscles that are appealing for men. I’m getting older and want to focus on mobility.”

Bristin Andreae, a Costa Mesa native with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and certification from Body Arts Sciences International, bought Escape Pilates in 2006. Her goal is to “welcome everyone with open arms” by providing a comfortable environment no matter the fitness levels.

“The men who do Pilates at Escape realize how much their body can benefit from a strong core and increased flexibility,” said Andreae. “It’s Pilates that allows them to continue to play the sports they love without injury, especially the older they get.”

Murphy Curtis opened Core Reform located in WestCliff Plaza, Newport Beach, in the fall of 2010. “We’ve seen more guys at our studio in the past few years than previously,” Curtis said. “Pilates is a great workout for everyone and we’re super excited to see more guys taking class. Our guy clients are usually really awesome and they work so hard. A lot of them get into it from an injury or they are former college athletes who discovered it along the way somewhere. They usually have excellent form.”

Core Reform Pilates Newport Beach instructor Chad Balen demonstrates a seated abdominal exercise using hand weights and ball.

(Susan Hoffman)

Core Reform Pilates instructor Chad Balen, who for four years was a dancer in New York City, saw the transformation in his own body doing Pilates.

“After I became certified I liked it even more,” said Balen. ”It’s great for everyone and is similar to physical therapy only really hard work that’s low impact and a safe workout for young and old.”

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