Who is it for?

Pilates is suitable for all ages and fitness levels and is particularly recommended for those who suffer from chronic back pain, sports injuries, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, women's health problems, repetitive strain Injury, stress-related illnesses and ME.

Pilates is perfect for athletes looking to enhance their performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is also suitable for first time exercisers. Its slow, controlled approach means that it gives much longer-term results.

Precise, controlled flowing movements mean that the muscle and ligament damage, sometimes associated with other fitness regimes, is avoided - Pilates, in fact, plays a key role in many injury rehabilitation programmes in dance, sport and general practice. Pilates is especially recommended by medical specialists for those with back problems.

What makes Pilates different?

'It is the mind itself which builds the body'
- Joseph Pilates, from Schiller.

Pilates offers both mental and physical training. By improving body awareness and focus, tension is released from the body and correct postural alignment is taught. The creation of a 'girdle of strength' is one of the primary aims of the Method and is achieved by strengthening the core postural muscles that stabilise the torso.

By correcting imbalances, sound muscle recruitment patterns are encouraged and the body is realigned.

By bringing together body and mind, Pilates literally teaches you to be in control of your body, and allows you to handle stress more effectively and achieve relaxation more easily. The end result is a body that is both long and lean, supple and strong.