Category Archives: Pilates

Functional bands

The bands I bought for Pilates also pay their way in my fitness classes.

Gliding comes to Hurst Pilates

I’m really pleased to announce that I have bought a set of professional Gliders™ and the License to teach this fantastic exercise system. The Gliding sliding discs allow for smooth, fluid movements, working multiple muscles while engaging core stabilization throughout the range of motion. I hope that those of you who tried it with me for the first time tonight will agree it offers a challenging workout with no impact on the joints. Tonight we focused on legs, glutes and core abdominal muscles but there is a lot more to explore, come along next Tuesday and give it a go.

Here are some videos showing how Gliding is done:

This one would be a good one to do at home with paper plates, remember to keep your back in ‘neutral’

I think we will try this one next week.

This one wont suit everyone, some of us did manage it tonight. You will notice that here it is demo’ed from the forearm position rather than hand supported as we did tonight.

If you did the Gliding class with me tonight, what did you think? Do you love them or hate them? Let me have your feedback!

Bendy Like Beckham?

DAVID Beckham is hoping to stretch his career out until he’s 40 — by doing body-bending Pilates exercises.

The England star, 34 — subject of hit film Bend It Like Beckham — says he is in his best shape in years due to an hour-long daily routine.

He is desperate to show Three Lions boss Fabio Capello he is fit enough for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and play on for years afterwards.

Becks was introduced to Pilates — a stretching and breathing routine particularly popular with women — on loan at AC Milan.

He said: “I do an hour of Pilates a day. The medical set-up at Milan is fantastic and fitness-wise I am the best I have been for a long time.”

The Italian giants insist all their players take up Pilates as it helps with balance and suppleness.

The fitness regime has reduced Becks’ body fat from 13.7 per cent to a super-toned 8.5 per cent.

He played the whole of England’s 6-0 thrashing of Andorra at Wembley earlier this month — his first full match for his country in three years. A source said: “David covered every blade of grass.

“He might get a bit of stick from the England lads as Pilates is seen as a bit of a girlie fitness fad — but he won’t care if he gets to South Africa.”

The midfielder returns to LA Galaxy next month. He and wife Victoria, 35, have signed up for Pilates classes at Los Angeles’ exclusive Sports Club.

Men are rediscovering the benefits of Pilates and their ranks include: Tiger Woods the best golfer the world has ever seen, England’s cricketers and New Zealand’s rugby team.

(taken from www.thesun.co.uk)

Core strength exercises using the Fit ball

Maybe you have a Fit Ball at home but don’t now what to do with it? I made this little film for Barb, it shows a progression of abdominal/core exercises that you can do at home with your Fit ball. There’s also a little Tricep add-on, great for your Bingo Wings!

This film almost didn’t make it, not sure how but I seem to have corrupted the file, took YONKS to save and edit it, grrr, I’ve still got lots to learn 🙂

First Hurst Pilates class

Tonight was WONDERFUL, I was really chuffed to have 16 people at my first Hurst Pilates class. I enjoyed teaching the class and got lovely feedback.

Thanks to everyone who attended and to those who offered advice, support and encouragement. I can’t wait to do it all again next week!

much EXCITEMENT!

I’m so excited! Today, Don, the Secretary at Hurst Community Centre told me that I can rent the Centre to teach a Pilates class on Tuesday nights.I have been dilly dallying over going back in to Community teaching for too long, Hurst was one of my most preferred options, so I am delighted.

I plan to start on Tuesday 3rd March, I’ve already set up domain and made a simple web hurstpilates.com along with a Facebook page but there’s so much more to do: