You may have come across the term “Pilates” mentioned in the media, heard about it from friends, or seen it advertised at the gym, and wondered what it was. You may also have heard it referred to alongside a number of different terms and been left wondering; is all Pilates the same? and is it suitable for me?

So, what is Pilates?

Pilates exercise is based around the principal of healthy movement. It involves exercising in a specific way to improve muscle endurance and control in some of your most important muscle groups (sometimes referred to as your “core”). These muscles are vital in supporting your spine, trunk and pelvis, and with improved control, you can also then work on improving posture, balance and flexibility in both your upper and lower limbs. Pilates is a low impact form of exercise that is suitable for a very wide range of fitness levels where challenges can be adapted to suit each individual. The Pilates method was originally founded by Joseph Pilates who developed the initial form of controlled exercise in Germany in the early 1900’s.

Who is Pilates suitable for?

We have a wide range of clients who join our pilates groups (both small group equipment Pilates classes, and also our floor based Vital Pilates classes). Clients may undertake Pilates to work on general goals of improving core stability and control, working on posture, improving balance and muscle endurance and improving flexibility.

Others clients come along to address more specific areas of concern, to assist with pain or rehab from injury. Pilates is often undertaken to help neck and back pain and injury, is great for rehab of joint, ligament and tendon surgery due to the low impact nature, and can also be used for clients with significant injuries affecting multiple parts of the body eg following a motor vehicle accident.

Pilates is suitable for all ages and physical states, and we often have participants starting who haven’t been involved in regular exercise for a long time, or are just looking for a low stress, low impact form of exercise where they can receive close supervision by our specifically trained pilates physios.

What is best for me Equipment “Clinical” Pilates or “Vital” Floor Pilates?

You might have heard Pilates referred to in a number of contexts – floor, mat or group classes, equipment pilates or “Clinical” Pilates. The difference in these forms of Pilates essentially comes down to the type of equipment used in the exercises and also the level of specific exercise prescription used in working out what exercises will be most helpful for you.

In our Equipment Pilates classes our physios set up a highly personalised program to address your specific goals and areas of need. This can be referred to as Clinical Pilates where we are often addressing a specific clinical presentation – an injury or limitation of movement. In this program, you receive an assessment from our physios who then uses that information to build your program, and teach you how to use the pilates equipment effectively. The equipment uses springs and pulleys to provide resistance and to guide controlled movement.

Equipment Pilates Classes are ideal for

  • More commonly addressing a specific aim, injury rehab, weakness or stiffness
  • Small group setting (maximum of 5 participants)
  • Highly personalized Program
  • Close supervision by our trained pilates physios
  • Equipment to provide support and challenges to your exercise routine

Our “Vital Pilates” is a floor-based group classes. These are run in larger groups and the entire class performs essentially the same routine together. These are great if you’re the type of person who loves exercising alongside your friends. These floor based classes use gravity and body weight to provide control challenges for your key muscle groups while balance and resistance challenges are added using resistance bands and small exercise balls. Our Vital Pilates classes are set up to be fun, relaxed and provide a setting where you can follow along with the Pilates trained physio in performing the exercise routines. We welcome clients in all physical states and can accommodate a wide range of fitness levels. Prior to starting your first class we provide you with a “pay-no-gap” one off assessment to find out your goals and assess your strength and flexibility. Our classes are based around a 10-week term, where the exercise challenge progresses week to week so that you’ll improve across the term and feel capable of tackling new physical challenges.

Vital Pilates – floor classes are ideal for

  • Improving general goals of muscle tone, control, endurance and flexibility
  • Larger group style following the same exercise routine
  • All physical states welcome
  • Exercise alongside your friends
  • Pilates Physio leading the class, you can just follow along

We are currently offering all new Vital class members a FREE yoga mat, chi ball and exercise band when you join for the new term.

BOOK NOW – We are currently taking new members. To book your place in either class, or if you have any further questions about how pilates can help you, just call us on 8357 0418.