Isn't it interesting to note that the so-called "aerobics" or "group fitness"
world has now become very extensively influenced by the "anaerobic" or
strength and conditioning world?  The vast proportion of changes in
"aerobics" or "cardio" groups such as ACE, IDEA, AFAA, IHRSA, ACSM, etc.
involve the addition of some form of strength and conditioning  and "personal
training" methods to their former, rather limited repertoires which reflected
a disproportionate emphasis on cardiovascular training and an exaggerated
emphasis on the alleged dangers and negativities of strength training.

Also of note is the observation that the strength training world has not
changed its own approach to include an abundance of trendy "aerobics" methods
of training (even though, of course, different forms of cardio training have
always formed an integral supplementary part of sports training).  If we are
to judge by the actions of those in the "aerobics" market, it would appear as
if the "aerobics" world has had a far greater need to modify its traditional
model than the S&C world.

Even the current trendiness of Pilates training is much more focused on
aspects of strength and conditioning (S&C) than any enhancement of
cardiovascular functioning, yet not too many folk point out his paradox.
After all, weren't we all warned that inadequate emphasis on cardio exercise
isn't the best way of enhancing general health and quality of life,
especially with respect to the heart?  Yet, here we see huge numbers of
fitness facilities now concentrating a great deal of effort on "anaerobic",
S&C types of training, like Pilates.

 Do all of those Pilates instructors appreciate the fact that they are now
offering a very partial form of exercise which does not do much at all to
address the cardio needs of the "general public"?    Do they not realise that
Pilates needs to be augmented by some genuine cardio training, so that a
program based upon Pilates methods actually has to be much longer than the
Pilates sessions themselves, because they need to be completed by the
addition of other forms of training?

Do they not notice the apparent paradox that old Joseph Pilates himself
devised a training system which falls far more strongly into the S&C world
than into the "aerobics" world -- see my Dolfzine article on this topic at:
http://www.dolfzine.com/page95.htm

Of course, we know that much of this has to do with commercial expedience and
a lot less to do with science, a genuine willingness to change and the
physiological advisability of expanding their horizons.  Anyhow, whatever the
reasons, many of you may now start to smugly declare to your "aerobics"
detractors and say: "See, we told you so!"

Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/