Joseph Pilates developed his own unique exercise equipment, unlike anything you might see at a gym.  Imagine, if you will, an orthopedic hospital bed with metal poles.  When Joe worked in an hospital during WWI, he attached springs to such beds to help rehabilitate immobilized patients.  This inspired him to design his first apparatus, the Cadillac, when the war was over.  He later went on to invent the Universal Reformer, the Wunda Chair and other apparatus, along with hundreds of exercises that use his specialized equipment.

An emphatic NO to both questions!  In addition to suppleness, Pilates also develops strength, muscle endurance and mind-body control.  More advanced exercisers who move smoothly from one exercise to the next without resting also obtain cardio benefits.  In its final form, Pilates is a complete exercise.  And it is time-saving, since you need only three 45-minute sessions a week to get all the health benefits of stretching, strengthening, and aerobic exercise, rolled into one.  Until you get to that point, you could, if you want, supplement your workout with walking or cardio.

Pilates is a great exercise for those who want to be strong but dont want big, bulky muscles.  Men (and some women) who want the big muscles can still do Pilates in addition to weight training because Pilates has so much more to offer.  It makes you move your body in new ways; many discover muscles they never knew they had.  Improved concentration, a better sense of ones body, muscle balance, better joint alignment and a stronger core are all benefits that can contribute to fewer injuries in the gym or at any sport.  Better breathing, greater endurance and flexibility, a flatter stomach and better posture (you may actually be taller than you think!) are even more reasons why Pilates is good for everybody!