I was shocked to hear about the death of Pakistan cricket coach and ex-England player Bob Woolmer yesterday. I had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions when he was at Warwickshire County Cricket Club back in the late 1990s. He was a innovative coach and always looking for new ways to train and motivate his players. I was impressed how a world class cricketer and coach could still take the time to meet me and listen to my ideas when, at the time, I had no track record of working with professional sports people.

He will be greatly missed.

A story appeared in the British press this week with the title 'Is Pilates Bad For Your Back?' It's interesting that this should only appear now because Prof Stuart McGill (quoted in the article) first expressed his concern nearly two years ago. It seems now that more experts are starting to question the wide spread use of Pilates.

I have always had my doubts (see The Performance Paradox - FrontRunner Publications 2001) that Joseph Pilates ever intended his techniques to be applied by 'fitness instructors'. He initially devised his exercises for people with severe back problems and usually for those who couldn't walk.

The article focuses on the theory and also on how it is taught.

Click here to see the article.