FAQ
This page contains the answers to some other frequently asked questions (alias “FAQs”), not already answered elsewhere on the site.
WHAT IS PILATES?
Pilates is a uniquely precise and intelligent approach to exercise and body-conditioning, which gives you a leaner, suppler, more toned body and a calmer, more relaxed mind.
It takes its name from Joseph Pilates, a German-born emigré to Britain and then America, who devised it in the early part of the last century.
Long popular among dancers, gymnasts, and others who knew of it, Pilates has now been discovered by a wider public – from those who want a stronger back or flatter stomach to those with specific injuries or medical problems that Pilates can help; or else, simply those who want to get fit or de-stress.
Pilates is a gentle, non-aerobic exercise method, which lengthens and strengthens the muscles, and improves posture, without stressing the joints or the heart. Indeed, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and doctors now recommend Pilates as one of the safest forms of exercise available.
You can learn Pilates either in group sessions, known as mat classes or in a dedicated studio-like Pilates Central – with expert teachers and specialized, spring-resistance equipment, designed to tone and strengthen your muscles while placing minimum strain on the joints.
Wherever you learn Pilates, you should make sure that your teacher is properly qualified, since Pilates taught by someone without the right training can do you more harm than good. Yet, many exercise teachers in gyms and elsewhere now include Pilates exercises in their classes, despite themselves never having had any training at all.
Our instructors, meanwhile, have had the best training in the business.
WHAT DOES PILATES DO THAT OTHER TYPES OF EXERCISE DON'T?
Pilates is more dynamic than yoga but less aggressive, sweaty, and high-impact than aerobics, jogging, or gym work, which, unlike Pilates, can all place damaging strain on the joints and/or heart.
Whereas most forms of exercise build the body’s stronger muscles, Pilates exercises work as much or more to strengthen the weaker ones too. The result is a properly balanced body, with better joint mobility, a firm musculature, and good, natural posture.
Pilates helps you achieve such posture by strengthening the center of the body so that it supports your lower back, helping you to stand straight and hold your upper body correctly.
Whereas many kinds of exercise aim only to raise your general fitness, our instructors are able to isolate and strengthen a specific muscle or tackle a particular problem with rare precision.
Whereas other forms of exercise often cause injuries, our Pilates exercises not only cure injuries but are themselves so controlled and low-impact that they are extremely safe – if taught, that is, by a properly trained instructor. What’s more, the awareness of your body that they develop enables you to avoid the same injuries or problems recurring in the future.
Whereas other forms of exercise promise ‘no gain without pain’, Pilates is a gentle, non-aerobic exercise method, which produces a healthy, toned, mobile body and calm, relaxed mind – and so proves the existence of gain without pain.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PILATES?
A stronger, healthier back
A more toned, mobile, and flexible body
A leaner, longer look
A flatter stomach
A better body shape
A better balance between strength and suppleness
Better posture
A straighter spine
A taller gait
Easier, fuller movement
Better coordination
Greater body awareness
Injury prevention and rehabilitation
Gain without pain
Relief from stress
General fitness
A sense of calm and well-being
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM PILATES?
Pilates is still popular with dancers, gymnasts, and athletes but it is equally suitable for most men and women, from nine to 90, and beyond. In fact, some people are surprised that almost a third of our clients are male.
Pilates is particularly suitable for…
The middle-aged and elderly
The desk-bound and inactive
The pregnant and post-natal
Those needing pre-and post-operation strengthening
Those referred by their doctor, physio, osteopath, chiropractor or another practitioner
And for those who suffer…
Back pain, back-ache, and other back problems
Scoliosis/curvature of the spine
Poor posture and rounded shoulders
Neck and shoulder pains or problems
Stiffness, joint pains, and muscle pains, whether caused by arthritis/ osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, or other things
Injuries: Sports injuries and others
RSI
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Whiplash
Stress
HOW DO I START?
The best way to start is by giving us a call and coming to see the studio in action.
If you like what you see and want to take things further, we will ask you to complete a form that asks you a series of questions about your medical history, current health, fitness, and objectives.
l will then assess your posture, alongside the information in your form, and devise a unique program to meet your precise needs.
l will then show you how to get started and teach you the basics.
You will find that the exercises are simple, even minimal.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Any comfortable, loose clothing, such as a T-shirt with leggings or tracksuit bottoms, or else shorts of a respectable length; but no singlets, please.
Please do not wear shoes, since they are not allowed on the machines but do wear socks, clean if possible.
HOW LONG IS A SESSION?
Up to 90 minutes each. Private sessions last 60 minutes.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Please email us for more information.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I COME?
People do Pilates anywhere from once a week to once a day – but twice a week is common and what we suggest for most clients.
Even if you just take just one session a week, you should try to do at least a few minutes of Pilates – whether at home or work – on a daily basis.
WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS?
‘In ten sessions’, suggested Joseph Pilates himself, ‘you will feel the difference; in 20 you will see the difference, and in 30 you will have a whole new body’.
Most people do start to feel a difference after 10 sessions, getting the sense, for example, that they are walking taller and moving in a looser, suppler way.
The longer they persist, the more they will tend to see and feel the shape of their body slowly change.
AM I THE RIGHT AGE TO DO PILATES?
Pilates is still popular with dancers, gymnasts, athletes, and others in their physical prime but it is equally suitable for almost any age.
IS PILATES MAINLY FOR WOMEN?
Far from it. Pilates, after all, was invented by a man, Joseph Pilates, originally for his own benefit – and was only later adapted for women.
Men, what’s more, tend to be less flexible than women, and so to need Pilates even more.
IS PILATES LIKE YOGA?
Yes, there are similarities between Pilates and Yoga, partly because Joseph Pilates consciously drew on both Eastern and Western traditions when first developing his method.
However, there are also key differences. Pilates, for example, is more dynamic than Yoga, which places more emphasis on the static holding of certain poses.
Pilates also focuses more on strengthening the deepest layers of abdominal muscles, which form a corset around your torso.
If you have the time, there is no reason why you should not do both and get different benefits from each
CAN I DO PILATES WHEN I AM PREGNANT?
You should check with your doctor before doing any kind of exercise during pregnancy. However, Pilates tends to be particularly suitable for pregnant women, since it is a low-impact form of exercise that strengthens the back, stomach, and pelvic floor muscles.
In fact, many women first discover Pilates and become clients here either when they are pregnant or have just given birth.