RAPID REHAB: Building a strong core

Pilates easy on joints, helps increase body's range of motion

marlene karas/viewRapid Rehab pilates instructor Tracey Weibel helps student Kay Maze find her balance during an exercise on the reformer. marlene karas/VIEWPilates instructor Tracey Weibel shows Kay Maze the correct position for a leg exercise on board a reformer at Rapid Rehab.

Rapid Rehab, a fitness center at 8751 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 27, is the place to go if you're looking for balance. Through Pilates training, senior clients can build strength and friendships through group classes and private lessons with certified Pilates instructors.

Tracey Weibel, a pilates instructor at Rapid Rehab, teaches Pilates to student Kay Maze three times a week, and throughout their time together Maze not only has built a stronger body, but also a solid friendship.

"Pilates helps me move. I have arthritis and it keeps me going," Maze said. "I can also do more in Pilates than I can in the gym."

Maze, who has undergone hip-replacement surgery, feels the exercise helps her keep going everyday. "Prior to the hip replacement, I wasn't able to move and getting around made me pretty miserable," she said, adding, "I'm going to keep doing this the rest of my life."

Weibel touts the benefits of Pilates, which includes exercises to build core strength and flexibility.

"It is resistive and assistive training through the use of an apparatus spring," Weibel explained. "The movements utilize the full range of motion of joints, so it's safe and effective for everyone.

"Pilates is a safer, gentler means of weight training," Weibel added. "It reduces stress on joints, as well."

"It's just the best thing that's ever happened to me," Maze said. "I could be a vegetable without it."

Prior to beginning a Pilates routine, Weibel recommends clients review their medical problems with her to be sure to cover any physical limitations they may have to help avoid an injury.

"It's really important for the Pilates instructor to understand students' needs," Weibel said.

In addition, a physician should be consulted before starting any exercise program.

"Pilates is educated movement. It's about teaching the clients how to use their body," Weibel said. "Students are taught correct breathing methods and spine education. It works the entire body. I think that's why people enjoy it."

Weibel, who has been in the field for 10 years, said all movement is done on a moving carriage, allowing clients to build balance and strength at the same time.

"When they finish a workout they don't feel like they've been hit by a Mack truck," she said. "They feel taller and stretched out. I think that people are getting smarter when it comes to exercising, and more people are doing Pilates."

"I am strong," said Maze, who recommends Pilates to her friends all the time.

"Once they try it they'll fall in love with it," Weibel said.

According to Greg Walski, owner of Rapid Rehab, many of his studio's clients begin Pilates after suffering through an injury. Patients who have injured a hip or a shoulder, for example, can be referred to Rapid Rehab by their doctor to complete their physical therapy requirement. The fitness center offers a complete physical therapy program that uses Pilates training to strengthen joints and surrounding muscles. Each patient is assigned a Pilates instructor along with a physical therapist during the duration of their prescribed physical therapy.

Rapid Rehab accepts most insurances. Those interested in using the center's physical therapy facilities should check with their physician to obtain a referral.

Private and group Pilates classes are offered Monday through Saturday. Interested students can check to see if a Pilates instructor is certified to teach by logging on to the Pilates Method Alliance at www.pilatesmethodalliance.org, the national certifying body of Pilates instructors.

For more information on Rapid Rehab, call 982-2232.