Marshall Eklund's San Diego Fitness & Pilates Blog

PILATES & Transverse Abdominis?? EH!??

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What the Heck's your Tee Aaa.??
 
I can distinctly remember one day years ago sitting in the office of my first studio.  While doing paperwork I was being bombarded with the shrill voice of a new trainer, just shy of yelling at a new client.  As I tried to methodically reconcile our business checking account, all I could hear was TEE—AAA, TEE—AAA

Being the control freak that I am, I had to investigate.  Sure enough as this new client moved back and forth on the reformer, the instructor stood over this gentleman pointing at his abdominal region.  shrieking TEE—AAA, TEE—AAA.

Then I realized what the instructor was trying to accomplish.  The trainer wanted the client to turn-on or activate his Transverse Abdominis.  Like so many pilates exercises, the instructor wanted the client to stabilize his pelvis and lumbar spine by activating the Transverse Abdominis (T.A.).  The Transverse Abdominis is the little known but important muscle that is responsible for stabilizing the pelvis on the lumber spine (and holding in your gut--bonus function).

After the client had left the studio I had an opportunity to chat with the instructor.  After a few encouraging words on their training prowess, I explained that one of our roles is to teach our clients --- Meaning that most mere mortals would not have the faintness clue or any definition of the mighty TEE—AAA.

So trainers!  Please, when chirping out the cue to engage the T.A., take a moment and define the incredible benefits of the Transverse abdominis, its location and how a client should activate.
Now more importantly--- If you are ever a client at another studio and your trainer begins yelling TEE—AAA, TEE—AAA.  Stop.  Look up, smile knowingly and reply.  “You mean the Transverse Abominis, don’t you?  Smile for you now know what T.A. stands for unlike that trainer. (Of course this will not be necessary with my staff who are impeccably trained!)