Best Pilates Classes near Kettering, OH

Even if you have taken mat or Reformer classes elsewhere, it is a valuable experience to re-examine your strengths and weaknesses and learn your body's habits in alignment in movement. Further, by working privately with an instructor, you will learn how to get the most out of your Pilates Group sessions. If you have extensive Pilates experience, we recommend you sign up for your Initial Consultation Series. If the instructor feels you are competent enough to go into groups within a session or two, we will shorten your series and credit your account.

It is helpful for our instructors if you wear comfortable yet form-fitting exercise clothes. That way we can make sure you are performing the exercises in the proper alignment. However, we don't advise you wear loose or "short" shorts as many of the exercises are done with your legs open and elevated. You may exercise in either your bare feet or stocking feet.

With Pilates you strengthen AND stretch various muscles. For instance, you may be doing an exercise for the back, lying on the stomach pulling the ropes down and back. But that's not all that's going on. You must point the toes and stretch the knees to elongate the leg muscles, tighten the glutes, which firms the buttocks, and lift the upper body, which strengthens the lower back. As you reach forward between repetitions, you stretch the back and shoulders. Or you may be kneeling facing forward to perform an exercise similar to a chest fly. Because you are kneeling, you must contract the abdominals, glutes and quadriceps for stabilization. You have a greater range of motion on the return than you would on a fly machine, which increases chest and shoulder flexibility. The bottom line is Pilates typically incorporates more muscles utilized in one exercise in comparison to a weight training machine. Further, Pilates creates better functional movement and performance than weight training because of the coordinated exercises and concentration on the core muscles.

Pilates is a wonderful program for those who are starting or already engaged in a weight loss program. You will learn to activate and move your body safely utilizing your muscles rather than your joints and will be better able to engage in other physical fitness activities. Pendleton Pilates works to create a warm and welcoming environment that can be far less intimidating than some gyms.