Pilates vs Pilates: What style is right for me?

What is Pilates?

Pilates is an exercise form developed by Joseph Pilates to strengthen the body and mind. His method involves movements designed to target posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility, and breathing. For more information on Pilates, check out this previous blog.

 https://performancemedphysio.com.au/pilates-the-what-and-the-why/

Over time, Pilates has evolved to take on many forms and you might be finding it hard to decide which style is right for you. Never fear! We’ve broken down the different styles on offer here at Performance Medicine to help find the best class for you.

Clinical Pilates

This is a 60 min class with an individualised and targeted programme combining equipment and mat Pilates exercises.

Who is this for?

Anyone who is rehabilitating an injury or working towards a specific, physical goal.

Following a 1-on-1 assessment with your Physiotherapist, they will design a programme specific to your body and your goals. The classes are small, with a maximum of 4 participants, allowing for more supervision and assistance opportunities. All participants work at their own pace and on their own programme, so there is no need to feel like you aren’t able to keep up with the repertoire.

The aim is to achieve your own goals at your own pace!

Reformer Pilates

This is a 45 min class using Pilates reformers for fitness.

Who is this for?

Anyone wanting to improve their general strength and fitness, and are a nice progression from clinical Pilates classes once you have achieved your personal or rehabilitation goals.

After a 1-on-1 assessment with your Physiotherapist, you can join the reformer Pilates class. They are a faster pace than clinical Pilates and all participants complete the same exercises. The equipment used makes it easy to modify the level of difficulty of each exercise by changing the spring resistance. This allows all participants to work at a rate suitable for them, while everyone performs the same repertoire. There are a maximum of 6 participants, allowing the instructor to provide ample observation and opportunities to assist as required. They are a great class to do to build fitness and improve your general strength.

If you are looking for a fun way to get and stay fit with new and exciting exercises, these classes are for you!

Pilates for Singers

This is a 60 min class run over 6 weeks designed to increase the body awareness and physical conditioning for singers.

Who is this for?

This mat-based Pilates class is designed specifically for singers.

Singers require their whole body for voice production, so this series allows for a whole hour dedicated to strengthening each section of the body required for singing in a safe way. The class allows opportunities for vocalisation to enable the singer to explore how activating certain muscles affects their voice, therefore giving the singer more body awareness. Each week builds on the skills learnt in the previous class so make sure you commit to the six week program to get the best from your body and your voice.

Barre

While not strictly Pilates, this exercise class uses principles of Pilates and combines them with resistance bands and the ballet Barre to create a whole body exercise class with a ballet flare!

Who is this for?

This 45 min class is suitable for all bodies and levels of fitness, no coordination required!

Barre is a low-impact, but high intensity exercise class suited to those wanting to maintain or improve their general fitness and strength. While Barre incorporates some elements of ballet technique, you don’t need to have any dance training to do this class. Held in our sprung floor dance studio with a larger class capacity, Barre is bound to getting you sweating and grinning.

For more information, prices, or booking, please contact our lovely reception staff on 9686 2373. Let’s get our bodies moving!