What is Pilates?

Joseph Pilates recognised that during conventional workouts, weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger. The resulting muscle imbalance is a primary cause of injury and back pain. Joseph Pilates understood that a body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured. He opened his first Pilates studio in New York in 1926. His system of precise exercise was performed on specifically designed machines as well as on mats. The exercises helped develop a strong "core", which consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine.

By developing proper technique, it is possible to train your body to move in a safer and more efficient way. As such the Pilates system has become an invaluable tool for injury recovery, sports performance, good posture and optimum function.

Pilates at Physio 1 to 1

We have a fully equipped and integrated Pilates studio where our Physiotherapists and Pilates Instructors work alongside each other to share ideas and progress clients to reach their full potential. We offer both matwork and machine (equipment) based Pilates in our studio. The various types of Pilates machines use a system of springs to provide graded resistance or assistance depending on the exercise performed. The exercises train several muscle groups at once in smooth, continuous movements so that no muscle group is over or under trained. The quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions.

Clinical Pilates (Pilates Rehabilitation) differs from the Classic Fitness Pilates taught within gyms and health clubs. Pilates is challenging and can be unsuitable if performed incorrectly because of the potentially large forces put on the lumbar and cervical spine. Clinical Pilates is a modified form of Pilates that is more suitable for the majority of the population. For improved fitness, general wellbeing or to optimise your sports performance (whether an amateur or elite athlete) you can be guided safely through progressively more advanced Pilates routines as your skill level improves. This individual attention is important in Pilates and is why we only offer very small classes or individual sessions. By having Pilates Instructors and Physiotherapists working closely together we are able to ensure that optimum functional performance can be achieved without risk of over stressing any weak areas.