Do pilates work?

I am involved in health and diet research at AOL Diet & Fitness, and came across this information about Pilates at work today:

The benefits of Pilates are innumerable. According to Rael Isacowitz, author of ‘Pilates’ (Human Kinetics, April, 2006) and a master of the Pilates method, a Pilates regimen develops strength, flexibility, coordination, speed, agility, endurance, balance, and correct posture. Plus, most of the moves are non-impact, making it a great fitness activity for pregnant women, aging individuals or athletes recovering from injuries.

With Pilates mat classes, students will work to increase the strength and mobility of the spine, according to Kimberly and Katherine Corps, founders of New York City’s Pilates on Fifth and the Cardiolates ™ workout. “Plus Pilates encourages you to keep your belly button pulled to the front wall of your spine at all times – instead of pushing it out – so your stomach gets super flat,” says Kimberly.

Pilates equipment work uses spring resistance to challenge muscles in both phases of the contraction – concentric and eccentric. “Thus the entire muscle is targeted so the result is the appearance of lengthened muscle instead of bulk concentrated at the belly of it,” says Katherine.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/pilates-winsor/benefits

Pilates actually scares me, but the article says that you shouldn’t be scared of it… It can’t hurt to try it. It does sound like it works – it just really depends on what kind of commitment and effort you can put in, and what you expect to get out of it.