The Pilates studio lies at the heart of this unique exercise system. Here you will work one-on-one with a qualified trainer in a programme designed to help you increase your physical fitness and strength by isolating muscle groups and repeating a series of controlled movements.
In the Pilates studio you will stretch and strengthen your muscles, helping to improve posture, flexibility and balance. A typical Pilates studio session lasts 90 minutes and uses a variety of specially designed equipment, including machines such as the Reformer, plus mat work.
You will work with your instructor on an individual basis, and as you progress, and your fitness improves, your programme can be adjusted to offer increasing levels of difficulty.
These workouts usually combine mat and equipment exercises into an integrated program. The result? Deep conditioning that develops stability in your core muscles, lengthening and strengthening every muscle in the body, so you look and feel different, have more energy and move more gracefully.
There is a whole range of equipment available to help you progress, including:
- Reformer
- Cadillac
- Trapeze tables
- Chairs
- Arcs and Barrels
Although they may look strange at first, they allow your instructor to customise your programme to ensure that your strength and flexibility are challenged in the most appropriate way possible - thus you get the most from each workout.
So if you have a taste for this powerful exercise programme - perhaps from taking a mat class at your local health club - then visiting a dedicated facility could be the next step towards really getting in shape.
