Thyme
The Fitness Pilates technique involves strengthening the muscles around the centre of your body; these include your abdominal muscles, the muscles in your lower, middle and upper back, the muscles that are responsible for your posture. Pilates focuses on the deepest, supportive muscles that support and control your spine and abdominals.
The Technique
Involves breathing in and contracting your pelvic floor muscles and your abdominals at the same time. This can be quite difficult to master and will take time to practice and learn. On breathing out you increase the intensity of the contraction as you move your legs and/or arms.
Why should I do Fitness Pilates?
Pilates will strengthen and rebalance tight and weak muscles thus preventing future injury.
Should I do Fitness Pilates if I have a bad back?
After checking with your GP or Physio first. Pilates will stretch and lengthen tight muscles around the spine.
I have tried Pilates but I don't feel very much happening?
It takes time and practice for the brain to use muscles that have stopped working effectively due to injury, childbirth or surgery. Be patient you will see gains in your flexibility, posture and abdominal area.
Will Pilates give me a flat stomach?
It can help but only if you combine Pilates with a low fat diet and aerobic exercise
Can anyone attend Pilates?
Yes everyone of any age or fitness level can join Pilates
I have recently had a baby Is Pilates suitable for me?
Absolutely, Pilates is perfect to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Pilates is also excellent for anyone recovering from a Hysterectomy operation.
By Leigh Robinson Evening Advertiser 16th May 2007
Staff at a Wootton Bassett company are being given the chance to work out in their workplace. Trio Childcare Connections, which offers childcare advice, support and training, decided to take a proactive approach to improving its employees' health. Julia Hinns from Trio was aware of the problem of encouraging people to go the gym after a long day at work. So she teamed up with personal trainer Richie Jeffers from Nine Elms to provide a health and fitness programme for her staff.
Julia said: 'I thought what about bringing the exercise class to the office prior to everyone leaving and giving them time to exercise prior to going home. Now this initiative has been piloted twice a week for my employees in the office each week, for a month to keep them healthy, alert and awake. Richie brings along his fitness equipment and provides a fun, time-saving workout before we go home. The enthusiasm has been outstanding and staff who haven't exercised for many, many years are now trying this. The pilot has now led to continued commitment from Trio to provide this opportunity for our staff. Richie's rebounding system seems to rejuvenate us when we are tired, improving our physical and mental wellbeing, reducing office stress leaving us in a healthier position to return home.'
Trio also invited along Laura Campbell from Hands of Thyme in West Swindon to run a pilates class in the lunch hour. 'This encouraged even more people than could be accommodated in one session and we are hoping to timetable this in too. This will not only help our staff with lifestyle change opportunities but also to make use of an often empty training room at the end of a working day at 4.30pm. The Fitness Pilates technique involves strengthening the muscles around the centre of your body - the muscles that are responsible for your posture. I believe this fun, exercise initiative could be duplicated across many companies in the area and wanted to share our success with others.'