*SEE OUR MOTHER’S DAY PILATES COMPETITION BELOW!
No matter what your fitness goals are for this year practising Pilates on a regular basis provides plenty of well-rounded benefits. So what exactly is Pilates, how will it help me and when can I get started?
What is the origin of Pilates?
Pilates was created in the 1920’s by physical trainer Joseph Pilates for the main purpose of rehabilitation. Some of the first people treated by Pilates were soldiers returning from war and dancers in order to strengthen their bodies and heal their aches and pains. Since then, the basic tenets that Joseph Pilates set have been protected, and despite some modifications, Pilates remains true to its origins today.
In recent years, Pilates has grown tremendously into one of the most well known fitness systems in the world. Nearly every Physiotherapy clinic, gym or fitness center now offers Pilates classes.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a series of approximately 500 exercises inspired by calisthenics, yoga and ballet. The workout consists of a variety of exercise sequences that are performed in low repetitions, usually five to ten times, over a session of 30 to 90 minutes. It aims to lengthen and stretch all the major muscle groups in the body in a balanced fashion. It improves flexibility, strength, balance and body awareness through mat work and with the use of specialised equipment for resistance. In Pilates, your muscles are never worked to exhaustion, so there is no sweating or straining, just intense concentration.
Pilates Vs Yoga – What’s the difference?
Yoga brings the body and mind together and is built on three main elements – exercise, breathing and meditation. While Pilates is partly inspired by yoga the key difference is that yoga is made up of a series of static postures, while Pilates is based on putting yourself into unstable postures and challenging your body by moving your limbs. Both yoga and Pilates improve muscular and postural strength.
Who Can Do Pilates?
Pilates was established by a personal trainer originally as a way to help injured athletes and dancers safely return to exercise and maintain their fitness. Since then, Pilates has been adapted to cater for everyone, from beginner to advanced.
The Pilates method is taught to suit each person and exercises are regularly re-evaluated to ensure they are appropriate for that person. Due to the individual attention, this method can suit everybody from:
- Elite athletes
- People with limited mobility
- Pregnant women
- People with low fitness levels
- Teenage athletes
What Are The Benefits?
The health benefits of Pilates include:
- Improved flexibility
- Increased muscle strength and tone, particularly of your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (the ‘core muscles’ of your body)
- Balanced muscular strength on both sides of your body
- Enhanced muscular control of your back and limbs
- Improved stabilisation of your spine
- Improved posture
- Rehabilitation or prevention of injuries related to muscle imbalances
- Improved physical coordination and balance
- Relaxation of your shoulders, neck and upper back
- Safe rehabilitation of joint and spinal injuries
- Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries
- Increased lung capacity and circulation through deep breathing
- Improved concentration
- Increased body awareness
- Stress management and relaxation.
Where Can I Do Pilates?
Pilates consists of moving through a slow, sustained series of exercises using abdominal control and proper breathing. The quality of each posture is more important than the number of repetitions or how energetically you can move for this reason we recommend that you seek instruction from a qualified Pilates teacher or Pilates-trained Physiotherapist to get the best results.
At Sandgate Physical Health Clinic our Pilates classes are designed and instructed by our qualified Physiotherapists. Physiotherapists are experts in how the body moves and functions therefore making our classes safe for people of all ages and fitness levels.
What are the differences between the SPHC Pilates Classes?
Please note the Pilates class format is now online due to Covid-19. READ MORE >>
Lifestyle Pilates Classes – Try your first class for free!
Our Lifestyle Pilates Classes are our most popular class. They are Mat Classes that are great for maintaining or improving all-over strength conditioning. Attending these classes regularly can help prevent injuries, enhance your performance for sports and help ease tension related aches such as back pain, neck pain and headaches.
Our traditional Lifestyle Class runs for 1 hour & Stretch Class 45 mins. Try your first class for free & we offer class blocks of 10 for your convenience.
READ MORE ABOUT LIFESTYLE PILATES >>
Clinical Physiotherapy Classes
Participants of Clinical Physiotherapy Classes have a one on one session with a Physiotherapist before they can attend class. A tailored, goal orientated exercise program is then devised that will be delivered in a small group session led by one of our Pilates trained Physiotherapists. Function and performance is monitored regularly to ensure participants are achieving the goals and results that they want. Clinical Physiotherapy is ideal for those recovering from recent injuries, surgery or pregnancy or those who have specific functional impairments or weaknesses that may be stopping them from participating in their desired social or sporting activities..
Note: We have just introduced our first specific Teen Physio Class, and we have class blocks available.
READ MORE ABOUT CLINICAL PHYSIOTHERAPY CLASSES >>
Pilates Reformer and Trapeze
The reformer & trapeze are traditional Pilates apparatus used to help facilitate correct muscle patterns as well as increase muscle flexibility & strength. The beauty of the Reformer is its suitability for everyone from the elderly who cannot get up or down off the floor to high level athletes that need to be pushed that extra mile. One of our Pilates trained Physiotherapists conduct a thorough assessment of each patient before constructing a personalised Reformer / Trapeze program to help you achieve your goal.
READ MORE ABOUT PILATES REFORMER & TRAPEZE CLASSES >>
Pregnancy and Mums n Bubs Pilates Classes
We offer two Pilates classes designed specifically for the mum to be and for those women who have recently welcomed a new addition to their family. The classes have more of a focus on preparing the body for carrying the baby, childbirth and for the rigours of looking after your new bundle of joy!
Pre-Class Assessments are required before joining our Mums N Bubs class and are designed to assess how your body is recovering after you’ve had your baby and if it is safe for you to join our class. Childbirth, regardless of the delivery style, can have a profound effect on your body, therefore it is necessary that you are properly assessed, even if you have previously attended any of our Pilates classes. Class blocks are also available for purchase.
READ MORE ABOUT PREGNANCY & MUMS N BUBS PILATES CLASSES >>
MOTHER’S DAY COMPETITION –
This May we want to give one lucky ‘mum figure’ a Free ‘Pilates at Home’ Kit that includes – 1 pair of MoveActive Non Slip Pilates socks, 2 different lengths of theraband, a resistance band loop, some slide discs, a pilates mat and more!!
To enter, simply sign up & join in one of our online Pilates Classes this May. Every one that does a class gets 1 entry into the draw. Those who ‘bring along’ their ‘mum figure’ get 2 tickets and all ‘mum figures’ get 3 tickets into the draw. The prize will be drawn on June 1st.
To find out more about our classes or make an appointment please call us on 3869 1099 or BOOK ONLINE.
