Have you ever tried Pilates? I am quite certain you've come across the term 'Pilates,' even if you haven't experienced it firsthand.
Recently, my growing interest in exercise and maintaining a healthy diet prompted me to give Reformer Pilates a shot. Today, I had the opportunity to try it out at Studio Pilates, located on Bathurst Stress in the heart of Sydney. They were hosting an open day, and luckily, I managed to secure a spot.
Studio Pilates Bathurst St. Sydney
Address: L2 93 Bathurst St. Sydney NSW
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 6 30am - 8pm
Fri 7am -7pm, Sat 7am -1pm,
Sun 8am - 11 30, 3 30pm - 5 30pm
Contact: 0488 795 588
Website: www.studiopilates.com
Instagram: @studio_pilates
The studio was only a 5-minute walk away from Town Hall Train Station. I thought that anyone working in the CBD area could easily access the studio, given its convenient city location.
Upon entering the studio, I was warmly greeted by friendly staff members and noticed the charmingly displayed skeletons. It's quite evident that this studio places a strong emphasis on posture and structural well-being!
Now, let's learn about Pilates first.
What is PILATES?
Pilates is a type of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates that focuses on improving flexibility, strength, and body awareness.
It emphasizes principles like controlled breathing, a strong core, precision, and fluid movements. Pilates exercises can be done on a mat or with specialized equipment, all aimed at engaging specific muscle groups. Benefits include better posture, core strength, flexibility, and reduced back pain. It's suitable for various fitness levels and is particularly helpful for those recovering from injuries.
Reformer Pilates
A Reformer is a piece of specialized equipment used in Pilates workouts to enhance the effectiveness of exercises.
Reformer Pilates involves performing a series of movements using this equipment, which consists of a sliding carriage, adjustable springs, ropes, and various attachments.
The springs provide different levels of resistance, allowing for a wide range of exercises that target different muscle groups.
During a Reformer Pilates session, practitioners lie, sit, kneel, or stand on the carriage while using the springs to create resistance and perform controlled, fluid movements. This helps improve strength, flexibility, balance, and body awareness. Reformer Pilates offers a versatile and challenging workout that can be tailored to individual fitness levels and goals. It's often guided by trained instructors to ensure proper form and maximize benefits.
My Pilates Experience
I participated in a 45-minute introductory session. We began by watching a video explaining how the machine operates, followed by about 30 minutes of actual Pilates exercises.
I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by how effective the machine workout was for my body.
Previously, I had some experience with mat Pilates as part of my dance training, but it was limited to exercises performed solely on the mat. This was my first time trying the reformer.
We commenced with core-focused exercises, including oblique muscles, before moving on to arms and legs. Each exercise targeted a specific area, and despite their simplicity and gentleness, they delivered a substantial workout for the intended muscle group. I even found myself almost wanting to cry out when we worked on our calf muscles, as they nearly cramped! The adjustable resistance levels also impressed me, highlighting how beneficial they can be for both athletes and individuals in recovery.
The experience truly opened my eyes. While I thought I understood Pilates exercises, I now realize I didn't grasp just how effective and advantageous they can be, particularly with the reformer. Within the 40-minute session, all major muscle groups receive attention.
They offer a starter deal priced at $60 for 6 sessions. I consider this an excellent offer, and with consistent participation, you're likely to notice positive changes in your body within a short period.
For anyone curious, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try.
In the spirit of the saying 'A picture is worth a thousand words,' I'd say, 'Trying it is worth a thousand words!'"
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