I took Pilates classes for a year. I was the only man in a class full of women, but it's become my favorite workout.

Ash Jurberg

• At 50, I tried mat-Pilates for the first time to add variety to my workout routine.
• During my first class, I was the only man in attendance and thought the exercises were difficult.
• After a year of regular classes, I've become more toned and flexible, and my back pain is gone.

Over the past few years, more exercise enthusiasts have turned to slow, low-intensity workouts like Pilates. Though the exercise...