Pilates equipment can sound and look a little daunting, but the special apparatus is what makes Pilates an intelligent and challenging workout. Our professional studio is equipped with Peak Pilates and STOTT PILATES equipment to ensure your muscles are lengthened and strengthened properly all with less stress on the body. The Reformer is the most widely used piece of equipment and utilizes a moving carriage with spring-loaded resistance, straps and a box. The Cadillac is a larger piece of equipment that looks like a massage table with vertical bars, springs, and bars attached. Rounding out our collection is the Chair, Ladder Barrel, Ped-O-Pull, and other smaller accessories.
In a private session, your certified instructor will guide you through a series of exercises tailored to meet your body’s needs, abilities, and goals with personalized attention so you see the results. The different pieces of specialized equipment allow you to tone your body more quickly, aid in your body’s alignment, and offers more exercises than you can do in a mat class. The instructor’s trained eye is essential for proper form and ultimate results while making sure you keep progressing and never get bored with the same workout.
Pilates Mat classes are a group workout lead by an instructor to accommodate all fitness levels. You will utilize your own body weight and use small accessories such as a fitness circle, or mini stability ball for added challenge and variety. Pilates Mat exercises actually are a part of the entire Pilates repertoire so even though you will primarily focus on your core with a fluid routine of exercises, don’t be fooled - your arms and legs will also get a bit of a workout!
The first thing to keep in mind is that there are many different styles of yoga and several methodologies of Pilates, and just as many different personalities of instructors who teach.
Yoga originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and has evolved over the centuries and cultures into many different styles. Yoga follows flowing postures with no equipment other than a mat in a group or private environment to work every muscle in your body equally. Postures, sequences and variations can be combined into tens of thousands of routines to create a class experience. While core strength is definitely an important element in yoga, it is more of a piece of yoga, rather than the entire focus.
Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900’s and has also evolved over the years. He originally created the exercises as a form of rehabilitation and strengthening; when dancers around the world began utilizing the practice to help them become stronger in their strenuous training and performance, the work became more and more popular.
Pilates and Yoga are similar in that they both require the mind and body to be connected with deep, coordinated breathing and concentration techniques to facilitate movement. In both practices, you will gain strength and flexibility. Pilates classes offer a total body workout with focus on strengthening the core and moving the spine in all directions.
Yoga and Pilates each have their merits. The best part is that you really don’t have to choose – PRO Club offers both Pilates and yoga in a private setting and a group setting. Maybe consider combining both in your exercise regimen to completely transform your body!
Pilates work is designed for all abilities and fitness levels. There’s no need to be flexible or have any Pilates experience. Tight muscles, poor coordination, back pain, can’t touch your toes? Not to worry, you’ll be amazed how quickly your body will respond.
Pilates exercises can range from rehab focused and therapeutic to absolutely sweat dripping. You won’t pound your body, but you’ll definitely work your body. Each Pilates exercise starts with core control and is a whole-body movement, so several muscles are used simultaneously. Pilates follows a systematic order that is executed with precision through concentrated breath, control and centering. With Pilates it’s quality over quantity. You’ll also gain complete body awareness - learning your body like never before.
Pilates is famous for creating long, lean, fit bodies while improving your posture so you’ll stand taller and appear thinner overall. If you want to boost your weight loss, help from a registered dietitian and aerobic activity combined with the strength training of Pilates is the best way to achieve weight loss goals.
Your private instructor will personally discuss your goals, review your health profile, and conduct a quick postural assessment before you get moving on the equipment. You will then perform a series of exercises that are tailored just for you while your instructor guides you in the fundamentals of Pilates: correct form, breath and alignment.
How often you do Pilates really depends on the individual, your goals and other activities that you wish to balance with your fitness routine. Pilates will complement every activity you perform in life. If you’ve never done Pilates, initially you may want to participate in more weekly sessions to allow your body to better understand the proper exercise technique, handling of the apparatus and muscle memory. Joseph Pilates said, “In 10 sessions, you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see the difference, and in 30 sessions, you’ll have a whole new body.” Exact results vary by individual, but as with anything, the more you do it the better you become. The most important thing is consistency.
No. Pilates was invented by a man (Joseph Pilates) and plenty of male athletes use Pilates as a complement to weight training and cardio exercise including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Hugh Grant and many other male athletes and celebrities. Pilates is used to maintain core strength, flexibility and improved movement patterns; plus it certainly builds a better 6-pack than crunches.
The Pilates Perfect Start session is the perfect introduction to Pilates that allows you to personally work with a certified instructor one-on-one for fundamental exercises and proper technique. Once completed, you are welcome to enroll in our Pilates Reformer group classes or continue on with more private or partner instruction. While not required, we do recommend completion of the Pilates Perfect Start session if you are interested in attending our group Pilates Mat classes to ensure the exercises are properly performed. If you need assistance in choosing an instructor or would like more information about Pilates, you may contact Surabhi Chauhan, our Group Fitness manager, at (425) 895-6578 or schauhan@proclub.com.