TORONTO — Talk to any guy at the gym about workouts past and you're likely to hear tales of squash court victories or killer sets in the free weight room.

By this time next year, heroic tales spun in the men's locker room could very well include talk of Pilates and yoga. An unlikely scenario?

Infusing elements of those disciplines into traditional workouts is shaping up to be a major fitness trend for 2004, according to the American Council on Exercise. It's a movement that Toronto-based fitness trainer Geoff Bagshaw has watched grow in recent months.

"I've had to, over the last while, put a lot more of those classes on the schedule because of the demand," Bagshaw said of the Pilates and yoga programs offered at Bally's Toronto fitness centre.

"You're seeing a lot more fusion between the programs too," he said. "Certain aspects of Pilates and yoga are being blended into some of our more traditional programs."

Men wary of what some deem women's exercise might be surprised to find out top male athletes have used Pilates to improve their game.

Golfer Rocco Mediate, Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour, and the Cleveland Indians have all benefited from the "core conditioning" at the heart of Pilates.

"It's a misconception that this is solely a female form of exercise," says Lindsay Merrithew, of Toronto's Stott Pilates.
His spouse and Stott Pilates co-founder Moira Merrithew concurs. "A lot of major athletes are doing Pilates now. It enhances their performance."

That enhancement comes from strengthening the deep support muscles that are often overlooked in traditional workouts. The focus is on strengthening the torso - referred to as the powerhouse of the body - and building long, lean muscles.

"It can be very intense," said Moira Merrithew. "We get some of these athletes who are in great shape, but when you start to dig deep you can find a few weaknesses there that you can work on."

Beyond the physical, both Pilates and yoga advocate a holistic approach to exercise. While Pilates strives to create a body awareness, yoga - which literally means union - seeks to unite body, mind and spirit.

That often gives rise to the perception that yoga is little more than cross-legged meditation.

"Some men are realizing that yoga can be a complete workout," said Thomas Claire, author of Yoga for Men, from his New York home. "It can help not only to stretch, it can also help to tone. It can provide cardiovascular benefits."

The physical component of yoga comprises hundreds of postures or Asanas, some of which can be very demanding on the body.

"There are different aspects of yoga," said Claire in recognition of both the physical exercises and the spiritual pursuits involved in the discipline. "People can pick and choose what they like to incorporate into their lives."

But the slow, thoughtful manner in which the postures are performed and the careful attention to breathing often bring mental and spiritual benefits, regardless of intent.

"A lot of people who are doing yoga may actually be doing a form of meditation without realizing it," said Claire.

In yoga, the breath is seen as a bridge between the body and the mind. Through proper breathing techniques the mind becomes still and calm, and the body follows.

Blending those lessons and elements of Pilates into the culture of the gym workout just makes sense, according to Bagshaw.

"I've seen the evolution in that now we're becoming a lot smarter in our workouts," he said.

"We have to realize that all the exercises emanate from our core powerhouse, which is our abdominal region. If you're not strong there you can't execute all the other exercises properly."

That also applies to recreational sports, like golf, hockey and baseball.

"If you have a strong core that's going to make your performance that much better."