If you’re wondering what to expect in a Pilates class, you’re not alone – there are lots of people out there who are keen to try Pilates but not sure what’s in store if they do.
This blog will help you to anticipate a class at New Healthy Body and reassure you that our friendly team will be there to guide you through every step of the way.
Arriving at New Healthy Body Pilates studio in Sheffield
If you’re not sure what to expect in a Pilates class, New Healthy Body is the perfect place to come, as we’ve worked hard to make our Sheffield studio friendly, calm and welcoming, perfect for putting beginners at ease.
There is ample free parking on the forecourt of our studio as well as on the street, meaning you don’t need to worry about where you’ll leave your car or how much it’ll cost.
We also have changing facilities available if you require them, which many of our members find useful if they’re travelling to or from another location rather than home.
We’re not just a Pilates Studio, we are also a fun, friendly community where you can attend classes, make friends, and participate in our social activities too.
We hope that you feel really welcome with us as we help you get to grips with coming to the studio.
What to expect in a Pilates class: the exercises themselves
Once you’ve become acquainted with the location and settled into the studio, it’s time for the class to begin.
As a beginner, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself to class instructor and make them aware of any questions or concerns you may have as you start.
This is also a good time to make them aware of any medical issues or injuries you have so that they can adapt exercises for you if necessary and make sure that you’re being well looked after.
For almost all classes, participants will use a mat and a head cushion, which are provided by the studio, however some people do like to bring their own which you are welcome to do.
Each class starts with muscle activation and a gentle warmup to increase mobility in your joints and help prepare your body and mind.
Once you are thoroughly mobilised and ready for exercise your Pilates teacher will guide you through a series of Pilates exercises.
Your teacher will give you a detailed demonstration and explanation on how to perform each exercise, ensuring they give you regressions/progressions and adaptations if needed.
Most mat Pilates classes are primarily floor-based, hence the use of the Pilates mat for comfort, and involve a series of slow movements and stretches which help you to increase your strength, mobility, flexibility and body awareness.
Throughout the class you will be working with Pilates Principles that include Breathe, Control, Precision, Concentration, Centering and Flow.
There will be an emphasis on using your Breathe and engaging and relaxing your Pelvic Floor
Some Pilates classes may spend more time at the beginning or the end on standing exercises, for example classes which specifically target balance and stability.
At the end of the class, your teacher will guide you through some calming and relaxing exercises/stretches and sometimes some relaxation techniques such as Breath-work or a Body Scan/meditation to end the session.
Using different equipment
One area where people are often unsure what to expect in a Pilates class is that of equipment, which can feel intimidating to beginners.
Unlike Reformer Pilates, which relies upon the Reformer machine, our classes are primarily based around Mat Pilates which has a much lower reliance upon equipment.
As previously mentioned, we provide Pilates mats and head cushions when needed.
After these, the most commonly used equipment in our classes are resistance bands, which are effectively very large elastic bands or small loop bands, which help to vary the resistance involved in exercises. These can also be used to help and assist in some exercises and stretches, such as an aid for reaching your leg in a hamstring or quad stretch.
You may encounter some other small pieces of Pilates equipment in our classes, including the Pilates soft ball or a Pilates ring, which can be used to provide either support or resistance depending on the exercise.
We may also use a Foam Roller or a Hog in our classes to add more of a challenge with our balance and stability. But as with every exercise we facilitate, our teachers will always make sure everyone in the class is familiar and comfortable with each piece of equipment before you begin.
And if you prefer not to use a certain piece of equipment during the class, we will always offer alternatives and modifications to perform the exercises without the equipment.
How our instructors teach
You may be wondering what to expect in a Pilates class in terms of the teaching style at New Healthy Body.
All our instructors are very knowledgeable and highly qualified and are able to help each participant engage with Pilates in a way, which is both beneficial and safe.
Our Pilates classes can be fully tailored to your needs and capabilities, so you can rely on our teachers being attentive to each individual.
With your consent, your instructor may ask to use their hands to guide your movement and make sure that your form is correct to avoid injury.
This tactile teaching can be very helpful when helping beginners to ‘feel’ the correct movement.
Putting your mind at ease as well as your body
Whether you are a complete beginner or more experienced, all of our Pilates classes cater for mixed abilities, so that you know you are getting the most out of each session without any expectations of prior knowledge.
Options and adaptations can also be given to account for injuries and medical conditions, so there really are no prerequisites or expectations for you to be a certain ‘standard’ – it’s all about you getting the most of it for yourself and reaching your own personal goals.
Success stories
If you’d like to understand what to expect in a Pilates class at New Healthy Body, here are some words from our members to help you understand the atmosphere of the studio.
“Clare always makes sure I’m ok and finds me alternatives to the exercises if I’m struggling.”
Brenda Bartles
“Clare is very precise with her teaching methods. She corrects position during exercises to ensure practice is correct and effective” Marie Flaherty
“I can honestly say I feel so much better, have less pain and much more mobile. The classes are well run and everyone is so friendly” Darrell Gibson
“Clare is very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. She is so supportive and offers great advice. The other members are so welcoming and friendly too.” Alison Prentice
You can read more testimonials from our members here.
Still not sure what to expect in a Pilates class? Talk to us!
We’re looking forward to helping you reduce your aches and pains, improve your posture and build core strength.
If you’d like any advice before you arrive, then please don’t hesitate to get in contact as we’d love to put your mind at ease.
The best way to find out what to expect in our Pilates classes is to come along and take part in one yourself. We’d love to meet you and get your started on your Pilates journey at our Sheffield studio soon.