Matwork Pilates

Mixed ability and ‘Take it Pilate-easy’ classes to suit all levels.

Reformer Pilates

Fun and versatile, the reformer offers a wide range of options beyond the mat.

Post Natal Pilates

A safe and gentle way to restore inner core and pelvic floor strength following childbirth.

Physio led Pilates

Providing confidence to exercise and move in a safe manner under supervision of a chartered physiotherapist

About Pilates

Pilates is a non-impact method of exercise aimed at lengthening and strengthening the body to restore balance through a combination of strength and mobility exercises.

Some of the many reported benefits of practising Pilates regularly include:
– Improved posture
– Longer, leaner muscles
– Improved sense of well-being and reduced stress
– Increased flexibility
– Injury rehabilitation
– Stronger deep abdominal and low back muscles (‘core’ muscles)

Pilates is suitable for everyone regardless of age and fitness level.  It is a safe method of exercise for a number of health and medical conditions, for people suffering from neck, back and general joint aches and pains.  It helps to improve core strength and stability, improve mobility and flexibility and is great for posture.  Also popular amongst celebrities and professional sportsmen and woman Pilates has a place in everyone’s life.

FREE Trial Class

We love Pilates and know how beneficial it is so to help you get started we offer a FREE trial class.  For more information contact:-

Susan Wallace                                                              info@getrmovingkeepmoving.co.uk
07932 670559

Pilates Matwork Classes

Group mat classes are an hour in duration and run continuously throughout the year.  The program progresses and changes roughly every 6-8 weeks.  This allows you to become familiar with the exercises and achieve adaptation and progression, leading to increased benefits. There are currently 5 mixed ability classes and 1 rehabilitation class on the timetable.

One to One Sessions

Many clients opt for an individual, one to one Pilates session.  This may be due to a health or medical condition or limitation meaning a class environment isn’t suitable or because the classes don’t fit with their availability, or simply because they enjoy the focused attention a one to one session provides them.

Reformer Pilates

The Reformer is a large piece of equipment invented by Joseph Pilates and famous in the Pilates community.  It consists of a bedlike frame with a moving platform (carriage), attached to one end by springs of varying resistance and a footbar and straps for users to push and pull against.  Working on the reformer promotes strength, flexibility, length and balance.  It is extremely versatile, offers a wide range of exercise opportunities beyond what’s possible on the mat, and is great fun to use.   The reformer is suitable for beginners and seasoned Pilates fans.

One to one and small group training are provided on the reformers.

Post Natal Pilates

Many congratulations on your new arrival. Whether or not you exercised before many new mums are unsure about what they should or shouldn’t be doing when it comes to exercise or perhaps return to vigorous exercise too soon.    No matter if you’ve had a natural birth or a C-section you will no doubt be aware of the physical toll giving birth to your bundle of joy has taken on your own body.  Following the recommended guidelines of 6 weeks following a natural birth and 8-10 for a C-section it’s important to start regaining the strength and stability of your inner core and pelvic floor muscles.  Reconnecting with and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is essential and will help deal with issues such as incontinence or issues arising from prolapse. Strengthening the inner core muscles helps reduce diastasus rectus (the gap 60% of woman get in the tummy muscles), improve stability of the pelvis and lower, reduce back pain and help improve posture.  Delivered by our pelvic health specialist Physiotherapist you will learn how to take back control of your body in a safe environment.

Equipilates™ (Currently Unavailable)

Pilates for horse riders.

Equipilates™ blends biomechanics with the Pilates principles, to give riders better balance, position, posture & functionality both in and out of the saddle.

Riding relies on a partnership between the rider and their horse.  A rider’s position has a huge impact on how a horse will move underneath them.  Their spinal alignment and intrinsic biomechanics influence all aspects of their riding, from their posture and weight distribution, to where their legs are positioned on the horse.  In turn the rider’s posture and biomechanics need to be good in order to effectively absorb the movements of the horse underneath them.  It is a team effort that requires correct posture and good biomechanics.

Equipilates™ classes are especially designed to enable riders to understand their bodies and implement changes to improving their Position, Posture, Balance, Co-Ordination, Flexibility, Functionality & Core Strength, ultimately improving the physical and mental communication between rider and horse and a more enjoyable riding experience for both.

The Man Behind the Name

Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born a very sickly child in Dusseldorf in 1883, suffering from ailments such as rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever. His drive to achieve a healthy body is said to have been influenced by his prize winning gymnast father and mother, a naturopath. In order to overcome his poor health he developed his own exercise regime by experimenting with a number of exercise disciplines such as gymnastics, yoga, dance, self defence, circus training and ski-ing.

Pilates was living in England in 1912 working as a circus performer and teaching self-defence. He was interned on the Isle of Man during the First World War where he developed his exercise and fitness regime. In 1918 he was credited with maintaining the health of his fellow internees during the great influenza epidemic. Towards the end of the War he worked as a hospital orderly where he helped bedridden patients move and exercise by attaching springs and pulleys to the hospital beds.  This influenced his famous equipment such as the Reformer.

Pilates returned to Germany at the end of the War to teach self-defence to the Hamburg Police and German Army. In the early 1920’s he emigrated to the USA, meeting his future wife Clara on the boat. Together they opened a body conditioning studio in New York in 1926, which became very popular with dancers and later celebrities and athletes.

Joseph Pilates died in 1967 and Clara and fellow disciples of Pilates continued his teachings. It wasn’t until the mid 1990’s that the Pilates method of exercise became popular and started to grow as we know it today. Today the Pilates exercises have been adapted in line with developments in anatomy, physiology and kinaesiology, however they are still based on his original exercises.

FAQ’s