Myrtle Beach has attractions, shopping, dining, golfing, a myriad of live entertainment & more. But there’s still one feature of the Grand Strand that is largely responsible for drawing the millions who visit us each year: The Beach. Over 60mi of sand & surf make up the Grand Strand, and that’s a lot of real estate for beach goers to walk, bike, surf or sail.

Just about everyone has a pre-beach season ritual. This usually involves hitting the gym, doing our best to “tone-up” those parts we’d covered up in the winter: legs, tummy, arms, butt, etc. Whether you begin in late Winter, early Spring, or are rushing to get the perfect beach body just weeks before Summer officially begins, Pilates can offer so much to help you meet (& surpass) your goal. Here are three ways Pilates can get you in “beach-body-shape” this Summer:

Core Strength = Stability = Better Posture

The advent of mass communication technology means more people working (and playing) on mobile devices. While this might help us stay organized, accomplish more & communicate with more people, it has a few downsides. Typing on computer keyboards all day is terrible for our posture. Even a toned body looks “sloppy” if it’s constantly slouching. A huge part of looking fit is simply how we carry ourselves. How we sit, walk, run, dance, etc. Pilates’ focus on developing better core stability helps correct this. The benefit is two-fold: better posture reduces back & neck pain, and “shows off” newly toned muscles.

Tighter, Toned Legs & Thighs (Without Sacrificing The Knees!)

The maxim holds true: to develop stronger legs, you gotta use ‘em! For most, this means running, jogging, biking or weightlifting. While effective, many find that running can have a debilitating effect on the knees. Some of this is due to the simple effect of gravity ~ the heels come down hard on the pavement. After enough repetition, this can cause some serious damage. Toned legs & thighs just don’t look as good when you’re hobbling across the sand, am I right?

Pilates method takes this into account when working on those important muscle groups. Exercises are done with an ‘evenness’ that helps develop the body in greater harmony with itself. There’s really no need to sacrifice the knees & lower back (as with running, biking, etc) to get those perfect beach legs & thighs. Learning these methods also has the benefit of improving performances in related beach activities (e.g. volleyball, surfing & swimming).

The Ever-Important Beach Belly

Did you just look down at your own gut after reading that heading? I did. No matter the beachwear you choose to sport this Summer, there’s no way around hiding the tummy! Fortunately, Pilates method begins in this area, “The Core”. You’ll hear us talk at great length about this concept, as it is central to the philosophy behind Pilates, and what makes it work so well.

Beginners are made aware of their core through initial breathing techniques. These methods are crucial to a successful Pilates session, and your expert trainer at It’s A Core Thing will continuously work with you to improve your control over your breath & movement. The result? A tighter, stronger tummy is often the first improvement for Pilates newbies, and this is a good thing! As we strengthen our core, the combination of better posture & a toned tummy gives us more confidence as we walk the beaches. After all, self-improvement through Pilates is a physical and mental process. Feel better, and feel better about yourself.

These are just a few of the many benefits of Pilates. The professional & certified trainers at It’s A Core Thing specialize in creating a workout that fits your body, and can help you set (and realize) your goals. Contact us today to find out how we can help give you the best beach body you’ve ever had!

How building core strength through Pilates can mean more cash flow for service industry workers.

Myrtle Beach has long been a mecca for Middle-Americans. Every Summer, we see the flood of cars with plates from Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and just about everywhere else. The resulting growth has stimulated, almost above all else, the hospitality industry.

Interestingly, where Horry County saw decreases in almost all industry over the last year, those working in Accommodation & Foodservices saw an increase in earnings. It’s worth noting that this is in part due to the change in work shifts. While there have still been lay-offs & closings, those who remain find themselves working longer shifts (and more of them). Overall earnings have increased because fewer workers are working more hours. And the result can often be a tired (and out-of-shape) workforce.

Foodservice is both physically & mentally challenging. Any server working in a busy establishment will tell you they work 8-14hr days regularly during the Summer months. They keep irregular hours, eat late (often unhealthily) & almost never exercise. Each year, the cumulative effects of these long hours on their feet make it tougher to pick up those extra shifts, earning the money that will sustain them during the off-season.

Pilates is a perfect solution for our friends who so readily serve us our meals, drinks & more. Developing core strength is a great way to guard against injuries that could keep you out of work. It’s also an effective way to build the strength you’ll need to pick up those extra shifts when the time comes. Making more money in the hospitality industry requires stamina, and Pilates method can boost that stamina significantly. Here are just a few of the areas Pilates can improve, and how they relate to F&B employees:

• Improved Balance: carry food & drinks more confidently; less spills/waste
• Stronger Lower Back: fight fatigue; long hours on feet more tolerable
• Better Mental Focus: time-managing during busy shifts; better customer care

Contact us today to find out how we can get you in the best shape possible. It’s A Core Thing can help you find a Pilates solution that can give you the stamina to give great service each day. And that can mean more $ in your pocket!