{image1}At only 26, Kate Carpenter has already lived a couple of lives. When she was just 19, the Milwaukee native moved to New York City to pursue her dream career in musical theater. She performed at Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall, even landed parts in Nickelodeon's touring versions of "Rugrats" and "Blues Clues," but when she met her fiancé, Carpenter decided it was time to change the channel.
"New York was a huge life experience for me, but I missed green grass and having my own car," she says. "And you can't raise kids in that city."
So, despite her love for the Big Apple, Carpenter, a certified Pilates instructor, moved to family-friendly Pewaukee and started a fitness business called ABSolute Core Essentials.
Trained in 2002 by New York City's Xercize Corp, Carpenter now teaches Pilates at Salto Gymnastics (21950 Doral Rd., Waukesha) and Accent On Dance. (N555 W226 Eastmound Dr., Waukesha) She plans to open her own studio in the near future.
Pilates, which incorporates both floor exercises and special machines, is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. Through specific exercises and focused breathing patterns, Pilates creates complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.
"Pilates is a great way to condition the entire body, rather than certain muscle groups," she says. "Plus, it's no-to-low impact, which is excellent for joint mobility."
As a Pilates trainer, Carpenter strives to offer her clients an intense, personalized experience that's not available in clubs. "It's getting very trendy, but my sessions are more privatized, more hands-on," she says.
Joseph Pilates, a German-born man who suffered from rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever, started Pilates (although he called it "Controlology") around 1914. Determined to develop a strong, healthy body, Pilates devised a series of exercises.
Pilates spent the duration of WWI helping out in the camp infirmary and further developing his techniques. He devised makeshift exercise "machines" by attaching bedsprings in various positions so that patients recovering from injuries could exercise safely. Modern versions of this equipment, called reformers, are still used today.
Pilates emigrated to the United States in the late '20s where he opened an exercise studio that became popular with dancers, actors, gymnasts and athletes, including The New York City Ballet and Martha Graham's Modern Dance Company.
Carpenter explains that Pilates is interpreted and taught a little differently by each instructor. Her style is similar to that of her instructor, Xercize's Elyse McNergney, that adds a twist of athleticism to traditional Pilates. This style is very effective with athletes because it helps them to exercise more efficiently.
Women particularly appreciate Pilates because it targets classic female "problem areas" such as hips, buttocks, abs and the back.
"Pilates is also great for seniors. It help to correct balance and create centeredness," says Carpenter, who will be married in November.
Other benefits of Pilates include a more streamlined shape, flexibility, increased spinal fitness, improved posture, increased bone density and even a boosted immune system. Plus, because deep, healthy breathing is a primary focus, many Pilates practitioners experience positive body awareness for the first time.
"Pilates reoxygenates the blood. It's a cleansing process," says Carpenter. "It's also a huge endorphin releaser and it reenergizes the entire body."
Carpenter's Pilates classes are $15 an hour or 10 for $120. Private sessions are available for $60 an hour or $550 for a package of 10. For more information, call (262) 695-2474.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
