In this issue:

• Pilates for Life
• Celebrating Success
• STOTT PILATES on Extra
• Pilates for Runners
• Exercise of the Month
• Exclusive Promotions

Bits ’n Bites

Supporting Our Community
We are proud sponsors of Yoga Fest in support of Yellow Brick House, a United Way charity. Those of you living in the Toronto, Canada area consider registering for this event. It's for a great cause and you'll get some free STOTT PILATES gear!

Get Fit in Style!

Gearing up for swimsuit season? Boost your springtime fitness routine with fun and inspiring STOTT PILATES accessories. April 21-25 only save 30% off our matching mats and water bottles. Find out more about this great offer.

Exercise of the Month

Side Leg Lifts with Fitness Circle®

Targets hip abductors; obliques, erector spinae and multifidus
View the exercise of the month

Let's Socialize!

Have Your Say!

 

Exclusive Promotions

Events & Tradeshows

FIBO
Apr 14-17 | Essen, Germany

STOTT PILATES European Symposium
Apr 15-17 | Essen, Germany

See all 2011 events

Dear Friends,

Spring is in the air and it's the perfect time to boost your exercise routine or fitness career. Discover innovations in STOTT PILATES® equipment and programming for inspiring new ideas to grow your knowledge and skills. What better place to do so than the upcoming STOTT PILATES European Symposium? Visit us in Essen, Germany this month and be one of the first to experience our new programming and to mingle with fitness professionals from across Europe. We look forward to seeing you there!

Yours in good health,

Lindsay & Moira Merrithew
Co-founders, The Merrithew Health & Fitness Group

In the News

	Celebrating Success Merrithew Health & Fitness™ and our premier brand STOTT PILATES have enjoyed immense growth over the last 20 years. Read what our co-founders Lindsay and Moira Merrithew have to say about their business and success.
	STOTT PILATES® on Extra! Our Fitness Circle® Lite was recently featured on a Beauty Undercover segment on the popular entertainment news show Extra. Five lucky winners got to take one home. Check out the clip to see ours and other fun fitness accessories.
Did you enjoy these articles? See all STOTT PILATES media coverage.

Ask the Experts!

Got a question? Get answers!

Q. I am training for my first half marathon. How can incorporating Pilates into my conditioning routine help?

Sally Belanger, Project Specialist, Education & Master Instructor Trainer responds: Running involves the utilization of large power generating muscles such as the gluteals, hamstrings, quadriceps and hip flexors. These muscles propel the body forward and are able to generate speed, power and sustain substantial aerobic effort for long durations of time. The utilization of these muscles, and their ability to push the body for long periods of time at high speeds, is increased when the skeleton is stable. Large muscles are not built to stabilize the hips and spine. But if the small stabilizing muscles are not strong enough to hold the spine in correct alignment, the large muscles try to align and support the skeleton which decreases biomechanical efficiency. This in turn can slow the runner down, decrease their endurance and aerobic capacity or over time can lead to repetitive strain or chronic injuries.  

STOTT PILATES® exercise works the small stabilizing muscles that hold the skeleton in the correct alignment. The exercises can target all the joints of the body. Often we think of Pilates as only working the abdominal muscles which are important, however, the exercises can also target hips, knees and ankles to ensure that the joints are in proper position to transfer the forces that the body experiences during running. If these small muscles, which Pilates exercises target, can do their job properly then the large muscles will not try to take over and they will be able to generate the power and speed required.  

Pilates will also provide a mind-body connection that the runner can integrate in their running. The small muscles need to be trained and are as important as the large muscles that are targeted in hill repeats, intervals and distance runs. When the runner can fire the small muscles it can help alleviate the pain that comes from overtraining or poor biomechanics. Teaching the runner how to engage the core musculature through STOTT PILATES exercise can assist with adding mileage without pain, as well as increasing the focus and awareness of working the proper muscles throughout the run as they begin to fatigue.

What’s New at our Corporate Training Centers?

Toronto, ON
Intensive Reformer | starts Apr 25
Intensive Cadillac | starts May 6

New York, NY
Advanced Reformer | starts Apr 15
Advanced Matwork | May 6

Denver, CO
Intensive Cadillac | starts Apr 15
RMR1 | starts Apr 28

See a list of upcoming workshops and courses held by our LTCs and Hosting Centers.

Job Board

STOTT PILATES Job Board
Visit our online Job Board for a list of Pilates instructor positions worldwide.
Facilities looking for STOTT PILATES instructors may fill out a Job Board submission form

Toronto Head Office Careers
If you’re passionate about Pilates and you’re looking for a rewarding, fun and fast-paced career, check out our available positions
 

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