Tactical Fitness: The Role Pilates Can Play in Your Military Fitness

Stew, I am active military and always looking for good fitness routines, and my girlfriend recently introduced me to Pilates. So far, I really like it. What do you think about it, and does it have a place in helping me maintain military/tactical fitness? 

-- John

John,

Absolutely. Pilates has been a growing fitness system for 50 years. You can't call it a trend when it has that kind of staying power. 

Basically, Pilates is a combination of calisthenics, yoga and dancing-based stretching. Mix in some creative methods to add resistance training, such as bands, balls and weights, and you have a basic Pilates program. There are plenty of YouTube videos on the topic.

What many today call old-school ab exercises -- those performed by many special ops and other military programs, such as flutter kicks, leg levers, scissors, V-ups and others -- all have a place in Pilates core exercise workouts and have for a very long time. The only real difference in the way a Pilates class performs them is that they point their toes like a dancer and wear yoga pants. 

Within the military, we do these exercises wearing combat boots and cammies.

Pilates not only includes the same exercises; it does them with grace and longer isometric holds. So yes, these exercises are great for men and women and will help your core strength, flexibility and balance.  All are elements a tactical athlete needs. Just don't forget you still need to run, ruck, swim and do basic PT, depending on the specifics of your biannual fitness test and job requirements.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you're looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

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