Pilates is Open to All

Pilates is a great all-inclusive form of exercise and it can be adapted to suit all abilities and age groups.

New to exercise? have an injury? A senior, pregnant, post-natal or an athlete? You will be able to find a class that will be right for you and your everyday health and well-being and begin to enjoy the benefits of Pilates classes.

(Ante natal/post-natal must be cleared by your GP/midwife before taking a class and instructor must be informed. Please also consult your GP before starting any exercise routine if you have any health concerns).

Pilates will set functional movement foundations for whatever exercise routine you currently have and can enhance it greatly.

It is a great starting point if you are new to exercise, teaching you the basic foundations of functional movement. 

Movements that you learn within Pilates also transfer to your everyday life making simple things we do easier and safer.

Learning correct movements transfer to everyday activities, like picking up our shopping bags. We learn how to use our muscles correctly and avoid over use of the lower back and avoid back pain. There are plenty of modifications, progressions and variations for all exercises too, so it can be tailored to every bodies individual needs.

If your mobility is not great, then chair based Pilates is also an option!

Pilates is a great place to start if you are just beginning your health and fitness lifestyle.

If you would like more advice or would like to try a class, please get in touch

Pilates classes promote improved posture and spinal alignment

Poor posture, rounded shoulders and back pain are more common than ever. Longer hours sat at our desks, driving and using our phones has created many postural problems and muscle imbalances.  Pilates can help reverse these bad postural habits by focussing on developing muscle strength, flexibility and mobility in your spine as well as helping you to develop strong core muscles.

Pilates builds core strength

This includes Internal and external obliques, (each side of your body allows us to side bend, rotate side to side).

The transverse abdominal muscles (deep muscles below your belly button), pelvic floor muscles (like a ‘sling’ or ‘hammock’ of muscles, running between the pubic bone in the front, and the tail-bone at the back).

Supporting women’s uterus, bladder and bowel and men’s bladder and bowel, diaphragm (a dome shaped muscle just below the lungs and heart which contracts when we breath in and out).

Lower back muscles (Multifidus, Longissimus, Spinalis, and Quadratus Lumborum). These help to hold us upright and allows the trunk of our body to move, twist and bend in several directions.

Gluteal muscles (the Gluteus Maximus which is the largest and heaviest muscle in the body). It helps support and maintain our upright posture as well as our ability climb steps and run.

All of these work together to stabilize your spine and provide support for every day movement and activity. Having strong muscles can reduce and prevent lower back, knee, hip and some neck pain as well as improving posture and creating better movement.

Having a strong and stable core will also benefit any other exercise you do as well as make everyday life tasks easier. Think picking up babies/kids, hoovering, lifting boxes and even better sex! (Pelvic floor exercises and learning to control your breathing).

All of these are great long term benefits especially as we start to age!

Pilates improves flexibility and joint mobility

Having increased mobility means that muscles and joints will be balanced and aligned. Helping to improve posture as well as help prevent injuries, reduce pain and joint stiffness.

Mobilising joints also helps to produce lubricating fluid (synovial fluid) which keeps joint movements happy, healthy and pain free. Which is really important as most of us are sitting for much longer periods of time at our desks or in our cars.

The more mobility we have in our joints the better we will be able to move and function. Improving every day functional movements such as getting out of bed!

Having increased range of mobility will improve your life and if you workout, run, cycle, lift weights, do cross fit, martial arts etc all can be enhanced.

Pilates can increase energy levels and decrease stress

Pilates helps to get the breath and circulation moving as well as stimulate your spine and muscles.  This helps to increase energy, motivating you to move more and help you to feel better.

Concentration is needed for Pilates exercises and an awareness of breath as well as an awareness of what you are doing with your body.

By taking time to focus on yourself in class, you switch off from daily stresses for an hour leaving you feeling calmer and more relaxed.

These are just a few of the many great benefits Pilates can have on your life and I think there are some great reasons here to take up a class if you are not already doing so!

Pilates has been a lifesaver for me. I love teaching it and sharing with people all the positive changes it can have on your life.

Do you take regular Pilates classes? If so what positive impact has it had on your health and wellbeing? I’d love to know, you can leave a comment below.