FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What is Pilates?
Pilates, pioneered by the late Joseph Pilates, is a mind-body exercise system designed to optimize physical fitness in people at every level of physical ability. Pilates (1880–1967) was a German expatriate who first made his mark in England during WWI by developing a series of exercises and innovative equipment to help prisoners of war regain strength and mobility. When Joseph Pilates immigrated to New York, the local professional dance community discovered that his conditioning technique, called ‘Contrology’ helped prevent injury and improve strength while maintaining long, even muscle tone

Everyone can do Pilates. It does not require any specific age, condition, strength, ability or fitness. It is a wonderful life-changing form of exercise that has been around for decades.

Far from it. Pilates was after all invented by a man for his own overall strength and fitness.

In addition men tend to be less flexible than women and therefore need it even more. Men also prefer momentum based movement, and we have found that the slower pace and intense isometric exercises where you are required to maintain a position before movement challenges even our strongest male clients.

Pilates is for both men and women alike, athletes and non athletic people as well.

Absolutely Pilates is for men. Pilates was after all invented by a man for his own overall strength and fitness.

In addition men tend to be less flexible than women and therefore need it even more. Men also prefer momentum based movement, and we have found that the slower pace and intense isometric exercises where you are required to maintain a position before movement challenges even our strongest male clients.

Pilates is for both men and women alike, athletes and non-athletic people as well.

In some respects, Pilates is like yoga. Joseph Pilates did draw on both Western and Eastern influences when developing this method. Both are considered mind-body methods of movement; and do emphasise deep breathing and smooth movements that require focus and control, without momentum. The difference is that while yoga moves from one static posture to the next, Pilates flows through a series of movements that are more dynamic, systematic and anatomically-based often incorporating resistance equipment. The goal with Pilates is to strengthen the postural muscles while achieving optimal functional fitness

Pilates is popular with athletes, dancers, gymnasts and others in their physical prime but it is equally suitable for almost any age.

One of benefits of Pilates is that it is tailored to suit each person, whatever their age or physical condition.

Many of our clients are middle-aged or elderly. In fact many start doing Pilates specifically because they have reached ‘a certain age’, started to feel stiffness and aches and pains creeping in and suddenly thought, ‘I better do something before it gets worse!’.

It is always important if you are slightly older to just make sure with your doctor before taking up Pilates (or any exercise for that matter) and to start more slowly. Many people do Pilates into their eighties and nineties. A properly tailored Pilates programme is one of the best-known ways to ward off the infirmities of old age.

As Joseph Pilates himself put it: ‘If, at the age of 30, you are stiff and out of shape, you are old. If, at 60, you are supple and strong, then you are young.’

Ideally we find that twice a week (or more if you can) is the best way to see the benefits of Pilates. Whether you come once a week or once a day we also encourage our clients to try doing a basic routine at home to continue the daily benefits that Pilates offers.
Pilates in general is not a cardiovascular based form of exercise. It focuses on mind muscle connections, strength, posture and control. However we do offer Barre, Cardio Barre and Pilates Fit classes which blend Pilates with cardio intervals to improve cardiovascular fitness and conditioning.
Both Pilates and Yoga have benefits and often complement each other very well. While Yoga focuses more on flexibility and mindfulness, as well as breath techniques and meditation through movement. Pilates focuses on core strength, control in movement, muscle endurance as well as mobility and mind muscle connections.

BOOKING QUESTIONS

We use the free Mindbody App (easily found in Apple Store or Play store) for booking classes that you can download to your phone (Android and IOS) or you can book on our website through the same system. If this feels a little too overwhelming you can send us an email or a message to book a class:

We offer many different packages and bundles, depending on what you decide to do and how often you wish to come. You can pay by EFT, credit card, Snapscan or cash at the studio.

We also have an online shop where you can purchase bundles and classes and pay via EFT or secure credit card payment system.

All sessions and classes need to be booked in advance.

The Pilates Difference Studio  has a strict 24 hour cancellation policy for all classes and sessions. For Online classes we only charge for non-attendees without cancellation.

Should you cancel within this period you will be charged for the session.

ONLINE PILATES CLASSES

You can learn to do Pilates from our online classes and recordings. We have specifically scheduled beginner Pilates classes to help beginner ease into starting Pilates for the first time.

You can also request a private video session to learn the basic principles.

IN STUDIO CLASSES

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move unrestricted. Bare feet or socks is usually the standard. Socks are encouraged in the studio, particularly when working on the equipment. We do sell special socks in the studio with grips on the bottom, this is not a pre-requisite.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move unrestricted. Bare feet or socks is usually the standard. Socks are encouraged in the studio, particularly when working on the equipment. We do sell special socks in the studio with grips on the bottom, this is not a pre-requisite.

PILATES & PREGNANCY

Can I do Pilates when I’m pregnant?
One should always check with their doctor before starting any new form of exercise while pregnant, however Pilates tends to be particularly suitable during the prenatal and post natal phases, as it is low impact exercise and focuses so much on strengthening the muscles of the core, lower back and pelvic floor. Many women discover Pilates while they are pregnant and then never stop.

Our prenatal and postnatal focused sessions and classes are specifically targeted and encouraging strength and flexibility in all the right places as well as breathing techniques.A properly tailored Pilates programme, however, can be the ideal way to lessen or avoid the back-pain commonly experienced during late pregnancy and then to enable your body to regain its shape rapidly after birth.

FITNESS & INJURIES

Will Pilates help me lose weight?

Pilates focuses on creating lean and toned bodies, but weight loss is often related to living a balanced lifestyle rather than relying on one particular thing to ‘lose weight’.
A combination of a balanced diet, cardiovascular exercise, positive mind-set and strength training exercises such as Pilates will certainly aid you in losing excess weight.
Particularly our Barre classes and programs which are much more intense in effort, do see more body changing results

I have a bad back will I be able to do Pilates?

As with any specific medical condition it is important to seek the advice of your doctor before embarking on any exercise, particularly if you have a back injury of some kind.
However we do see many clients that come to us because they have been referred by their physiotherapist, chiropractor or doctor. Pilates spends a great deal of time focusing on the movement of the spine or indeed the prevention of unnecessary movement of the spine. The main focus of Pilates is to strengthen to core and increase spinal strength and mobility. Many clients have found much relief and improvement in their conditions because of Pilates. But no two people or injuries are alike.

Pilates is often used as an important and effective injury rehabilitation program. We have many clients that do Pilates, both private and group classes for rehabilitation of a wide variety of exercises. Especially over-use injuries relating to posture (life-style inflicted), sports or trauma.

Because all programs are tailored to the individuals we can often address your injury specifically and use Pilates to help re-strengthen and protect.

Depending on the severity of your injury, we would always request that you consult your doctor before starting any exercise regime.

You do not need to be fit or flexible to start doing Pilates. Pilates focuses on all aspects of balancing the body with strength, muscle activation, muscle endurance and flexibility. You will feel the benefits of starting your Pilates journey right from the first few sessions.

As with any specific medical condition it is important to seek the advice of your doctor before embarking on any exercise, particularly if you have a back injury of some kind.

However we do see many clients that come to us because they have been referred by their physiotherapist, chiropractor or doctor. Pilates spends a great deal of time focusing on the movement of the spine or indeed the prevention of unnecessary movement of the spine. The main focus of Pilates is to strengthen to core and increase spinal strength and mobility. Many clients have found much relief and improvement in their conditions because of Pilates. But no two people or injuries are alike.