Clinical Pilates and Pilates

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a gentle form of exercise which improves posture, flexibility, and core strength. It was originally developed in the 1920’s by Joseph Pilates and uses mat-based exercises, as well as specialised equipment, to assist with retraining and restoring optimal movement and function.

What can it help with?

Pilates continues to be a popular exercise option for all types of people due to its versatility. It can be of great benefit if you are:

• Recovering from injury or surgery: Pilates can help to regain lost strength, balance, and motor control. It’s a great way to transition back into sport or your everyday activities.
• Employed in a typical office desk setting: prolonged sitting often leads to poor posture, which can result in back or neck pain. Pilates can help correct your posture and help stretch out sore or tight areas.
• A sports enthusiast: Pilates can help to fine-tune the skills required for all sports. It can add that extra dimension to your current training program, and increase sports performance. Plus, it’s a great way to prevent injuries.
• Pre or postnatal: A tailored program for pregnant women can help manage pregnancy-related symptoms like back pain. Pilates also plays a big role in post-partum recovery.
• Maintaining strength as you age: Strength and balance often decrease as you age. Pilates can dramatically slow down the effects of aging on your muscles, and in some cases reverse them.

How does it work?

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on building the strength and endurance of our deep core muscles. As you develop a stable core, you will also work on the coordination and efficiency of your outer strength muscles, which will improve your posture, strength and general well being.

Who is best suited to this form of exercise?

This form of exercise is suited to people of any age or fitness level, from elite athletes through to seniors.

What else do you need to know?

Current physiotherapy research into exercise and rehabilitation promotes the use of traditional Pilates exercises for rehabilitation, strength, flexibility, and balance.

Is a referral required?

No referral is required to attend instructor-led classes.

Can I claim this service as an extra on my health insurance policy?

As of April 2019, Private Health Insurers will not allow you to claim instructor-led Pilates. If you are interested in classes that use the Pilates reformer bed for rehabilitation and are covered by private health insurance extras, clinical exercise sessions may be of interest.