Question 1

Will Pilates help my sciatica and back ache?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.  Pilates will really help any back and leg pain, especially using the equipment.Sciatica is an umbrella term which describes pain in the sciatic nerve running from the pelvis and the back of the leg. It is caused by a number of different issues and so is treated differently, often it is a combination of things which trigger the pain. In Pilates we work holistically, treating the pain and the causes of the pain. We would need to see you in person rather than online, where all the instructors are trained in Injuries and Special Populations.

Question 2

Can I do Pilates if I have an injury or have had surgery?

Accepted Answer

If you have injured yourself or had surgery your first port of call is the medical profession - your GP, physiotherapy or osteopathy. Pilates is for post-rehabilitation - we take it to the next stage of strength and flexibility. All the Pilates instructors at Pilates Now! have studied the Injuries and Special Populations course from STOTT PILATES and continue to build up their knowledge.

Unless specifically trained in the medical profession, no Pilates instructor can state they do rehabilitation.

We work with, and are advised by, the medical profession and really appreciate making links with those medically-trained. Once you have had the all-clear from the person treating you Pilates is excellent to ensure you make progress safely.

Question 3

Is Pilates suitable for older participants?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Absolutely! This is SAFE exercise for everyone. It is essential to come to 1-1s to start, especially if you have particular issues or haven't been active for a while. We welcome people of all ages from 18 - any age.  Our 1-1s & small class sizes; well qualified & experienced instructors and excellent facilities mean you are in safe, caring hands. We focus on healthy ageing -  strength, flexibility, balance and posture and will address any former issues or injuries you have.Our oldest client is in his 80s and attributes his fitness & mobility to Pilates.

Question 4

What age should you start Pilates?

Accepted Answer

You can start Pilates at any age and it will bring benefits at any time of life - the sooner you start, the sooner you will feel the benefits. It helps to prevent injury and helps to rehabilitate injuries. It gives you great posture and will improve poor posture. It helps to maintain core strength and flexibility and improves core strength and flexibility.We are open to over 16 year olds (accompanied by their parent or guardian for a 1-1) and over 18 year olds for classes. We have no upper age limit.

Question 5

What's the difference between Reformer and Mat Pilates?

Accepted Answer

Joseph Pilates developed both the 34 Mat exercises and the equipment we use in a Pilates studio, which includes the Reformer.He created the equipment to enable his clients to develop the strength, flexibility and body awareness needed to perform the Mat exercises properly. In some ways, the Mat exercises are the end point of the Pilates process. The Reformer is a sliding carriage, which uses springs, ropes and pulleys to move it. It can be lain on, sat on, knelt on, stood on ... there are so many different exercises, working different parts of the body, in different planes of movement. The important thing is to move slowly and be in control with your muscles and breathing. The current trend of Reformer studios tend to use the Reformer as a piece of gym equipment and offer fitness classes, rather than traditional Pilates. Larger studios with 10 - 12 or maybe more Reformers are opening, focussing on dynamic 'Pilates', sweaty workout and 'the burn'. Often the instructors have only studied Mat Pilates to Level 3 and taken a 2 day training course in Reformer; some are not even trained in Pilates!As Pilates does not have a formal national or international awards body, a lot of organisations are offering short training courses (often online). Always check the qualifications of the instructors and the studio you are attending, especially if you have any injury, issue or condition.The Reformer, Cadillac, Stability Chair and Barrels are designed to support the body, whilst challenging it in strength and flexibility. It gives incredible feedback to feel exactly what you are doing so you can use the correct muscles; work to balance the weaker and stronger muscles; breathe properly and create length in short, tight muscles and strength in long, weak muscles. Working on the equipment is more effective and you will feel the changes in your body quicker.A specialised Pilates studio, with all the equipment and with specialist instructors is the best place to start your Pilates journey.

Question 6

What's the difference between STOTT PILATES and dynamic Pilates?

Accepted Answer

Stott Pilates is based on the Pilates methods and principles developed by Joseph Pilates, with an emphasis on breathing; slow, controlled movements and mind and body connection. It is a safe form of exercise for everyone and taught on an individual basis by fully trained Pilates instructors who have taken years to complete their comprehensive Pilates training, on all pieces of Pilates equipment and must complete Continuing Education Points every year to keep their knowledge up to date.Dynamic Pilates is a modern twist using the Reformer and Pilates exercises as a type of gym workout, a fast class, aiming to produce sweat and burn, usually in large classes, and not suitable for people with injuries, usually taught by fitness instructors who have often been on a short training course.

Question 7

What is the difference between a fully equipped Pilates studio and a Reformer Studio?

Accepted Answer

The Reformer is the best known piece of Pilates equipment, but it is only part of the bigger  system that Joseph Pilates developed. Mat Pilates is also part of that system, which is designed to challenge the body in different ways to make it stronger and more flexible.

The  Reformer is a sliding carriage, using springs, ropes and pulleys to move it. It can be lain on, sat on, knelt on and stood on and worked in various different planes of movement to achieve a full-body workout. There are also different pieces of equipment - like the Jump-board and Cardio-tramp which can be attached to the Reformer in incorporate jumping or cardiovascular aspects into a Pilates workout.

A fully equipped Pilates studio also has a Cadillac, Stability (or Wunda) Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Arc Barrels and other smaller pieces of Pilates equipment. These are selected by the instructor to support and challenge the clients in different ways and give more variety to the Pilates sessions. We are able to progress clients more effectively and create a safe environment for clients with injuries, issues or completely new to exercise.

Instructors who are trained on all pieces of equipment are called Fully Comprehensive Pilates Instructors and specialists in the Pilates method.

Pilates Now! is a fully equipped Pilates studio, with fully comprehensively trained instructors, qualified with STOTT PILATES - one of the best international training providers. We know our stuff!!

Question 8

How frequently should you do Pilates?

Accepted Answer

Joseph Pilates said: "If you faithfully perform your [Pilates] exercises regularly only 4 times a week for just 3 months, ... you will find your body development approaching the ideal, accompanied by renewed mental vigour and spiritual enhancement."

We recommend doing Reformer Pilates 2 - 3 times a week to really feel the profound effect Pilates can have on your body, mind and spirit.

We also give you homework so you can do some Pilates at home.

Question 9

What should I wear to do a Pilates session?

Accepted Answer

You can wear anything comfortable that you can move in - gym clothes for example.
We work in socks, gripper socks or (clean) bare feet. Gripper socks are available to buy at Virgin Active reception.

Please avoid wearing bottoms, leggings or shorts with a zip in the back as they can scratch the Reformers.

Question 10

What are the Pilates Basic Principles?

Accepted Answer

Breathing - "Breathing is the first act of life, and the last. Our very life depends on it. Since we cannot live without breathing it is tragically deplorable to contemplate the millions and millions who have never learned to master the art of correct breathing." Joseph Pilates

Centring - drawing your own mental and physical focus during each exercise to the core, or centre.

Concentration - the mind and body connection, bringing your full attention to the movements of each exercise in order to obtain maximum value.

Control - "Be certain that you have your entire body under complete mental control ... Good posture can be successfully acquired only when the entire mechanism of the body is under perfect control." Joseph Pilates

Flow - exercises should be done in a flowing manner, with the intention that the energy one exerts during each exercise should connect all body parts smoothly and thereby flow evenly through your body.

Precision - bringing a conscious awareness of precision during each exercise's movements, incorporating breathing, placement, alignment, effort, energy and balance.

Question 11

What are STOTT PILATES Basic Principles?

Accepted Answer

The STOTT PILATES principles work on  the biomechanical positioning of the body to achieve better posture and efficient movement.

Breathing - Deep 3-D Ribcage breathing; transversus abdominals and pelvic floor engagement.
Pelvic Placement, Chest Placement and Head Placement to create the perfect curve of the spine for the optimum shock absorption and movement.
Shoulder Placement - to create shoulder stability and reduce risk of injury.
Leg & Foot Placement -  to create good alignment and reduce risk of injury.

Question 12

What equipment do you use in Pilates?

Accepted Answer

Joseph Pilates developed many different pieces of equipment in his lifetime, all to support, challenge and assist the user during their Pilates workout.

The best known is the Reformer, which uses a sliding carriage, attached to different spring strengths and using ropes, pulleys and bars. The Reformer gives amazing feedback so you can check you are firing the right muscles (and not compensating), enables you to increase your range of movement safely. It provides a full body workout by changing positions (lying, sitting, kneeling, standing, box position, backwards, forwards, sideways), changing the direction of the straps and ropes and changing the spring load. The heavier springs don't always give the hardest work, often the lighter the springs, the harder the body has to work to support itself.

The Cadillac Trapeze Table was, if fact, named after the American car! Joseph Pilates was so impressed by the size of it when he got to New York that he called the Trapeze table after it!  It works on the same principle as the Reformer with the springs but is static, and has a Push-Through Bar, Rolldown Bar and Trapeze to improve core strength and flexibility, especially of the spine. It's great for rehabilitation exercises.

At Pilates Now! Studio, we have V2Max Reformers from Merrithew Health & Fitness. These have Towers at the end of them and give the opportunity to do combined Reformer and Cadillac exercises so you get the best of both worlds!

The Stability Chair (or traditionally Wunda Chair) uses springs, a seated platform, pedal and handles for a workout with a great focus on core strength, balance, leg strength and alignment and is great for rehabilitation exercises.

The Barrels include the Ladder Barrel, the Spine Corrector and the Arc Barrel, each designed to increase core strength and spine flexibility in a variety of different planes and ranges of movement.

Frequently asked questions