Pilates at Surf Life Physio

Equipment

We offer a variety of equipment to use. Mat work for example, is using a yoga mat and completing exercises largely laying on the ground, which is great for beginners. Our instructors use a massive range of props/equipment to continually challenge you.

Most commonly, you’ve heard of ‘reformer’ Pilates – this is the kind performed on machines that have a sliding carousel (bed) and have arm/leg straps and use the resistance of a number of springs to make movements harder or easier. This is great for athletes, older individuals who might struggle getting on and off the ground and everyone in between! Due to the nature of the movement of the reformer, you’re movement control is being maxed out, leading to massive improvements in stability and neuromuscular control of your body.

Clinical Vs General

Clinical Pilates is often undertaken in a more acute stage of an injury or rehab process at Surf Life Physio. An assessment by a Physio is first undertaken to highlight areas of poor movement, weakness, pain and tightness. From this assessment, a directed and specific programme is set out on the reformer to specifically address these deficits.

General Pilates is great for those who may have started in a clinical setting, and are now looking to maintain health and function. Individuals looking to make improvements to their movement quality, strength and control for sport and life, can really benefit from general Pilates in a small group setting. We also run women’s health Pilates too!

Why Pilates?

Look, currently Pilates is massively in vogue! Is it the be all and end all, the only exercise you should ever do? Absolutely not. The reason Pilates is so popular is that it is instructed in a very personal, small group size or one on one. This allows for better instruction of movement and control whilst performing the exercises. Further to this, on a reformer particularly, the movement patterns and exercises are very slow and controlled. This is great for those who are just trying to get their bodies used to moving after an injury or time away from exercise. I like to think of Pilates as a bit of a bridge to returning to bigger gym based movements and work place conditioning – it’s like an interim step. On top of this, it can be a great way to maintain control and stability after you get back to your life, sport or job.

Written By Elissa