several exercise regimens have turned into sports competitions, such as weight lifting and aerobics, but pilates has never been a competitive sport - it is merely a way of exercise that keeps a person in good physical condition.

pilates' exercises are a series of movements performed on spring resistant exercise machines or pilates' mats - the sessions are generally supervised by especially trained instructors.

rio de janeiro is home to a variety of pilates studios, with one of the most famous location's being myra hirano's studio in the ocean side neighborhood of ipanema. myra's core focus is to train participants in concentrating on their core muscles and breathing - these are key foundations she emphasizes at all of her pilates sessions.