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Pilates
What is it and how does it work?
Pilates is an exercise method, designed to stretch, strengthen and restore the body to balance. Pilates is a clinically proven way to improve your core strength and reduce pain including chronic low back pain! Armed with a thorough understanding of the anatomy combined with the latest research our physiotherapists can create an individual programme for you. Classes are kept to 5 or 6 people maximum to facilitate an individual focus whilst still keeping all the benefits of group training.
Benefits of Pilates:
- Strengthens your Stabilizer Muscles ("core")
- Helps balance the body
- Safe way to mobilize your spine
- Suitable for any age and fitness level
- Injury prevention
- Improved breathing control
- Tone and build long, lean muscles without bulk
- Reduce stress, relieve tension, and boost energy through deep stretching
- Restore postural alignment
- Create a stronger, more flexible spine
- Increase joint range of motion
- Improve circulation
- Heighten neuromuscular coordination
- Reduce back pain and joint stress
- Correct over-training of muscle groups which can lead to stress and injury
- Enhance mobility, agility and stamina
- Compliment sports training and develop functional fitness for daily life activity
- Improve the way your body looks and feels
How soon will I notice results?
This depends on your lifestyle and the frequency of your sessions. A Pilates program along with a healthy diet, regular cardio workouts, and weight training will help reform your body. Don’t expect a ‘quick fix’ with Pilates. The best results will occur over time with regular attendance of classes.
What to bring:
Though you probably won’t be guzzling water, as some do during aerobic workouts, you will still want to have a water bottle available and make sure that you are well hydrated before you start.
What to wear:
There are a few things to consider when you dress for a Pilates workout. First, make sure your clothes give enough to let you move and stretch fully. Your instructor will need to be able to see your body well enough to see the alignment of you bones and how your muscles are engaging, so while loose is okay, baggy is not. You will also want to avoid baggy clothes because some Pilates exercises could be a bit revealing if your clothes are too loose. Pilates is usually done barefoot, so no fancy footwear is needed. As a general rule, track pants and a t-shirt is adequate.
For more information, please ask any of our friendly staff!