Beginners Reformer Pilates & Mat Pilates Taster Event

Join us for our Pilates Taster Event! Come and try our free 30 mins Reformer Pilates or Mat Pilates class in Angel N1, close to Angel station.

Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise that can benefit you in so many different ways. If you haven’t yet tried Reformer Pilates or Mat Pilates, this is your chance to.

Our Pilates classes at the event are for all pilates lovers. These classes will help you if you are an absolute beginner or looking to get back into Pilates.

Join Reformer Pilates or Mat Pilates Class

To secure a space book your free pilates near you now:

Mat Pilates Classes on Tuesday 17th July 2018 –

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Pilates during pregnancy? Is it something you should consider?

Let’s face it, the thought of going to a busy gym during your pregnancy can be less than appealing. In addition to this, the list of do’s and don’ts during pregnancy become a lot longer, too. Now you have to consider what is best for your health and the unborn child’s health. It need not be intimidating though. Exercise during pregnancy can be fun and beneficial in the hands of a professional.

We take a closer look at how Pilates may benefit you.

Pilates during pregnancy

Pilates during pregnancy – a safer kind of exercise

There are many ways in which you should restrict activities during pregnancy to ensure the good health of both you and your baby.

During pregnancy, the aerobic capacity becomes impaired due to profound respiratory changes. It is best not to undertake vigorous cardio exercise because it can cause overheating to both you and the fetus.

It is ok to elevate the heart rate, and if done within safe parameters it is a good way to stay fit. But it is important to check with an exercise specialist what the upper limit of your heart rate should be.

It is definitely worth investing in a heart rate monitor or Fitbit during pregnancy to monitor your heart rate.

Temperature regulation is highly dependent on hydration and environmental conditions. During exercise, you should stay well-hydrated, wear loose-fitting clothing, and avoid high heat and humidity to protect against heat stress, particularly during the first trimester.

Joint laxity may also increase during pregnancy. This is due to the hormonal changes your body is undergoing.

Existing problems may be more of a problem and new joint pains and instability can arise. For this reason, it is better to avoid exercises that cause jolting to the joints. Therefore the safest option is to cut out jogging, running, and plyometrics altogether.

Another major impact of pregnancy is on balance. For obvious reasons, your center of gravity changes (especially in the latter stages) and balance becomes compromised. This by definition limits activities such as cycling outdoors or skiing.

Why Pilates is so beneficial during pregnancy

There are numerous benefits to exercising with Pilates during pregnancy. Above all, it is a very safe form of exercise. It is challenging but not too rigorous and it is non-weight bearing.

The movements that are performed in Pilates are smooth and controlled. This means that there is less of a risk of over-stretching or injuring joints.

Pilates is more challenging than you might imagine, so your heart rate will certainly become elevated, giving you aerobic benefits but without over-heating.

But most importantly of all, Pilates is excellent for targeting and strengthening back and pelvic floor muscles. Maintaining and conditioning both these areas is crucially important both during and after the pregnancy. And all this can be done without putting unnecessary strain on other joints.

As always, it is wise to consult with your GP if you think you have any medical conditions that you think may restrict you.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. If you like this blog, please share! We are always happy to help.

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Pilates has captured the public imagination over the last few years. Aerobics was popular throughout the 1980’s. In the 1990’s, step became all the rage.

However, since the turn of the new Millennium, the growth of yoga and other mindful-based exercises have indicated a shift in how we choose to take care of our bodies.

Higher intensity exercises certainly have their place, but there is now an increasing awareness of the need for good muscle balance and improved posture.

In general, exercise has become more scientific, and there is a now a greater emphasis on holistic health. We take a closer look at this paradigm shift.

Benefits of Pilates

A brief history of Pilates

Contrary to what many people may think, this exercise modality is not a new fad. It’s origins date back almost a century. It was founded by a German immigrant to the U.S. named Joseph Pilates. Joe had suffered from asthma as a child, as well as a range of other ailments. He turned to exercise and athletics in an attempt to counter-act his conditions.

Joe was strongly influenced by the Greek ideal that we should look to achieve a balance between body, mind and spirit. During the early stages of its development, the method was used to help rehabilitate soldiers that had been injured during the first world war. A series of pulleys and other contraptions were put together by attaching springs to hospital beds.

Joe helped all types of clients, from boxers to opera singers, and gained invaluable insights into breathing techniques, posture and body balance. Although he did work with dancers, it is actually a myth that Pilates was developed specifically for them.

The benefits of Pilates

Pilates doesn’t just have the expected benefits, two aspects of the discipline are often overlooked. As we can see from the history, the creative force behind it was honourable. It was not created as a commercial venture, unlike a lot of the exercise classes that are around today.

There is a lot of emphasis on good technique, during studio based sessions clients are often supervised on a one to one basis. This means exercises are carried out with proper form. As they say, practice doesn’t make perfect, ‘perfect practice’ does.

And of course, it has a deserved reputation for helping to establish a strong core. This is essential as the perfect antidote to the negative effects of sitting at a desk all day. It also has the added benefit of giving a flatter look to the stomach.

Many traditional weight training systems tend to cause the body to build short, bulky muscles. Pilates on the other hand, elongates and strengthens, improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured.

It promotes better muscle balance, and for this reason, it is can be used as base conditioning for sport.

As always, it essential to work with well qualified and experienced teachers, in order to make the most of your time.

We hope this information was useful for you. If you have any questions about it or about our treatments, please contact us.  We are in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help.

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