Pilates Elephants

This episode is a recording of a live lecture I gave on the Physiology of Strength Training for our Diploma students at Breathe Education.If you want it to actually make sense — and go deep — I highly recommend downloading the PDF lecture notes and following along while you listen.Download the notes here: https://breathe-edu-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Diploma%202024%20Physiology%20of%20strength%20training.pdf In this episode you’ll learn:Why strength ≠ hypertrophyThe 5 actual mechanisms that make you strongerWhy lifting to failure builds muscle — even with light weightsWhy muscle activation, soreness, and “feeling the burn” don’t matterWhat you really need to do to build strength (and what to ignore)Whether you’re a Pilates instructor, personal trainer, or just a strength nerd — this one will probably blow your mind.Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

I think there are 2 incorrect assumptions that lead people to the mistaken idea that isolation exercises are useful - they're not.I break down those beliefs, make the case for using simple compound movements, and share the top 6 movements I use with clients (and myself).Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide:Pilates CertificationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

I think we go about this all wrong in Pilates. In this episode, I share my (non-legally binding) thoughts.Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

These are the strategies I used in my own studio, and that I use with my coaching clients to increase profits quickly.Enjoy.Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

In this episode, we break down the key research on hypermobility and scoliosis, cutting through myths and weak evidence. Learn how hypermobility affects pain sensitivity, the real relationship between scoliosis and back pain, and why most exercise studies for scoliosis are low-quality. If you’re a movement professional or just curious about the science, this episode is for you.What we'll cover: What hypermobility really is and how it affects more than just the jointsDoes scoliosis actually cause pain?The surprising lack of strong evidence for scoliosis-specific exercisePractical takeaways for movement professionalsResources mentioned in the episode: Download PDF lecture notes with citations hereConnect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationVisualized AnatomyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Probably everything you were taught in your certification about back pain is wrong. Lifting heavy doesn’t wreck your spine. “Bad posture” isn’t the cause. Avoiding movement? That’s likely making things worse.In this episode, we break down the myth that spinal load and “incorrect movement” cause low back pain. We’ll cover:Why research shows no strong link between lifting and chronic back pain.The biopsychosocial factors that matter far more than technique.How Pilates instructors can help clients move with confidence, not fear.References mentioned in the episode: Insufficient Evidence for Load as the Primary Cause of Nonspecific (Chronic) Low Back Pain. A Scoping Review hereShould Exercises Be Painful in the Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis here, your biggest takeaway or share this with a fellow instructor!Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationVisualized AnatomyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

This is what we've learned over a decade and a half of building a successful business with amazing people - how to attract the exact right people - the answer might surprise you!Read about Breathe Education Culture here: https://breathe-education.com/culture/ Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationVisualized AnatomyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

In this episode, I share my thoughts on why we should spend less time on fine details, and more time on working our clients through range, under load, with control.Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationVisualized AnatomyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Why are we still hanging on to the idea of neutral spine in the Pilates world? It's not even part of Pilates, and it's certainly not science-based. Plus, it's just plain illogical.Resources mentioned in the episode: You can bias lower abs from upper abs by doing posterior pelvic tilt vs ab curl herePeople with LBP lift with LESS flexion in their lumbar spine hereThere was low-quality evidence that greater lumbar spine flexion during lifting was not a risk factor for LBP onset/persistence or a differentiator of people with and without LBP hereSpine posture in general has not been shown to be a causal factor in LBP according to a systematic review of systematic reviews in 2020 hereConnect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationVisualized AnatomyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

In this episode, Raphael Bender chats with Bernadett Gazsi, a Dallas-based Pilates instructor who transitioned her business online to help moms overcome back pain. Bernadett shares: • How her clinical Pilates education ignited her purpose. • Strategies for building a remote business while moving across continents. • Insights into high-touch client care, group sessions, and fostering progress. • Lessons learned, including the importance of clarity, action, and perseverance. • Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.Listen for inspiration on taking bold steps, learning through action, and creating a meaningful impact.Resources mentioned in the episode:Connect with Bernadette online here, on Instagram, and FacebookConnect with Raph on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide: Pilates Certification and Visualized AnatomyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy