Warning: long, multi part review!
"In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference and in 30 you'll have a completely new body." - Joseph Pilates
Part 1: why Pilates? Here are the highlights of regular practice (in my experience)
I've been practicing Pilates the last 8 years (on and off) and even have my own studio reformer at home. I'm a huge fan!!
Before I started, I saw the above quote & some studio tagline about looking better naked. SOLD! I committed to 30, 1 hour sessions as a test. I started with private sessions and moved to group.
The result:
:: Tight, flat tummy (for real). Never knew I had those muscles in there
:: All my adult life, achy knees. All joint pains = gone.
:: Posture. Strong spine and core = better posture
:: Beautiful, sculpted tank top ready arms less the non flattering bra fat all girls know & despise. The arms came soon for me. Like a nice early win.
:: Taut, toned, lengthened muscles - not bulky!
:: Increased energy. For me, it's the concentration on proper deep breathing, closing my eyes on the reformer and really focusing in on doing good for my body is a meditative experience that leaves me feeling refreshed and really, really good.
:: It's fun & addicting. It took me some experimentation with teachers and classes but soon I'd look forward to 2 back to back 1 hour sessions. Crazy, I know.
:: It's everything without ever getting boring or overworking your large muscle groups as a lot of other exercise methods do. Cardio through the jump board, strength training throughout and almost every move incorporates some type of stretching. All in one. And you would not believe the variety - which brings me to.....
Part 2: Club Pilates!!!
I did not start Pilates in Reno so it's my first studio here. I totally lucked out & picked the best one, I know it! Here's why:
:: It's affordable. Shop around. $149 month unlimited. You won't find a better price. (They also have non unlimited, per class pricing)
:: Very clean, light and cheery atmosphere with new & well maintained equipment.
:: Variety of class types and volume of available classes. Everything from a nice restorative Stretch-ilates class to a hard core 2.5 (hardest) Cardio Sculpt to a Reformer/Barre mix class.
:: The teachers. I've taken classes from all and have my favorites but they are all really good and each gives you a different workout which really adds to the fun, experience and challenge of it all.
:: The Club Pilates method. Personally, I don't love a 100% Classic Pilates workout. I prefer the newer methodologies with some classic moves added in. Club Pilates classes do all of that PLUS: TRX Suspension, ballet barre, the Exo chair & Spring board (additional Pilates equipment), magic circle, small ball, foam rollers, slides, blocks, mat work and more! Each reformer station has its own equipment. Brilliant set up!
It's always a mix and you never know which tools you'll get to play with!!
:: Hand weights during warm up. Genius! You're doing your foot work why not get those arms working at the same time. Why doesn't everyone do this?
:: All club access. It's a rapidly growing franchise (the founder lives here and drops in to teach on occasion!). I don't know how many but guess it's 50+ so you can visit any club with your membership.
:: 7 days a week, holidays included, with classes from 6 AM - 6:30 PM
I love working out at home on my reformer but when I get bored with myself and need to really step it up, this is where I go to get inspired and toned! read more