Rehab Management (RM) recently had the opportunity to interview Joey Hall, advertising coordinator of physical therapy and fitness product manufacturer OPTP (www.optp.com), Minneapolis, regarding the company's Pilates-based product line.

Rehab Management (RM): Please tell us about your company.

OPTP: OPTP has been supplying the health and fitness industries with high-quality products and resources for more than 30 years. We work closely with industry experts to ensure that we're providing the latest tools and knowledge to help keep today's health and fitness professionals successful and competitive. OPTP's high-quality standards have made us a trusted supplier to professionals across the globe.

RM: What are OPTP's most popular and most requested Pilates-based product lines?

Joey Hall, Advertising Coordinator, OPTP

OPTP: The Pro-Roller and Pro-Roller Soft are very popular for Pilates. Since they're the most durable and the most comfortable foam rollers available, they're popular with people at all skill levels. OPTP's burst-resistant Gymnic exercise balls and the Soft Gym Overball are also popular because of their many applications for both Pilates and rehab. The Pilates Magic Circle, the Stretch-Out-Strap, the Body Bolster, and resistive exercise bands are also frequently requested items. We also carry a wide range of Pilates books and resources from several authors. Some of our most popular are Pilates for Rehab, Pro-Roller Pilates Essentials, and Age Perfected Pilates.

RM: Does OPTP plan to release any new Pilates innovations in the near future?

OPTP: We're always working with experts to expand our product line, as well as our resources. OPTP currently has several Pilates booklets and products in the works. Look for Desk Pilates, and Pilates Essentials Using the Stretch Out Strap coming soon. Our recently released Pro-Roller Pilates Essentials booklet has already become a popular new resource as well.

RM: What are the most current trends affecting your Pilates division?

OPTP: Recently, we've seen a large number of physical therapists and occupational therapists who are taking an interest in Pilates. One reason for this is because Pilates exercises help to increase a patient's awareness of body mechanics and breathing. This awareness makes patients more conscious of their posture and movement during their exercises as well as throughout their daily activities, which benefits their overall progress. Many Pilates exercises can be modified for specific rehab situations, which help therapists tailor each patient's exercise program as they progress. Since classic therapeutic tools can often be used in Pilates, adding Pilates to a practice is often easy and inexpensive.

RM: How does your company meet these trends?

OPTP: Since we have built relationships with experts in both the rehab and Pilates fields, we're able to deliver Pilates products and resources that are created with therapeutic applications in mind. Many of our authors are PTs or OTs as well as being fully Pilates certified. We also include these experts in our product review panel as we're developing Pilates products, to be sure they will be of maximum benefit to our customers.

RM: Where do you envision OPTP in the next 5 years?

OPTP: I see OPTP continuing as a leader of fitness and physical therapy products, including providing the most current educational materials to health care professionals.

—Rogena Schuyler Silverman