What is Pilates

Pilates is a system of body conditioning, which helps improve posture, strength, flexibility and core stability. At Free to Move every Pilates Class is run by a qualified Pilates Physio and can be claimed through Private Health Insurance.

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Ring or email us today to book an individual assessment and get started on a new path to well-being. Your 40 minute appointment with one of our Physiotherapists will include tests for your posture, flexiblity and muscle function. We then work with you to set goals that specifically address any problem areas and help you chose the right class for you. Download our Enrolment Form here.

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Clinical Pilates

Pilates is named after its inventor, Joseph Pilates (pronounced pi-lah-tees), a physical trainer who worked in an internment camp during World War I. He helped to rehabilitate returned soldiers.

Clinical Pilates has been developed by Physiotherapists to help resolve pain and movement problems and assist with rehabilitation. Some exercises have been modified to make them safer and more therapeutic. Other exercises have been eliminated, due to the risk of injury, which has been reported with conventional Pilates.

How Does Pilates Work?

Recent scientific research has shown that sufferers of back pain often have a weakness in specific spinal and abdominal muscles. They may not be activating these muscles in the right way or at the right time, or the muscles may be trained for strength but not endurance.

Many Physiotherapists have found that retraining and strengthening of the deep or 'core' stabilising muscles is essential when helping someone with back or neck pain return to optimal function. Clinical Pilates can also assist other problems such as shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, poor balance, posture problems and lack of flexibility. More Info.

Studio or Floor Pilates?

At Free to Move we offer two styles of Clinical Pilates: Studio Classes and Floor Classes. Both are suitable for beginners as well as continuing participants. The Studio Classes offer more individual attention and use of the large equipment. The Floor Classes are great value and a perfect way to maintain your health and fitness.

Clinical Pilates Studio Classes

The Free to Move Studio Pilates programme involves the use of special equipment including the Pilates Reformer, the Trapeze Table and the Wunda Chair. Our Studio Classes have a maximum of 4 participants. Each person has their own individual programme. The small class size allows for a high level individual attention from your Physiotherapist. This means that most participants progress more quickly than in the Floor Classes.

For your comfort and safety participants in our Studio Programme must attend two individual sessions prior to commencing the classes.

The first session is a thorough Physiotherapy assessment. We look at factors such as your medical history, range of movement, muscle strength, muscle imbalances, tension patterns, posture and balance. From the assessment your Physio comes up with a list of problems (for example pain, stiff joints or particular areas of muscle weakness) and a list of goals that directly address these problems. Your Pilates programme will then be based on these goals.

At your second appointment, we start you on your individual Pilates programme in the Studio, coaching you and providing hands-on guidance to help you perform the exercises correctly. We also train you in how to use the Studio equipment safely.

Once you've completed these two sessions, you are ready to attend Studio Classes. At these classes, participants complete a circuit around the Pilates equipment, each person working at their own level and completing a different set of exericises according to their personal programme.

Our Pilates Physio continuously watches and supervises all participants, correcting and reminding you about posture, muscle use and how to perform the exercises. Exercises are carefully progressed. Resistance is only increased once you are performing an exercise with the correct technique at a particular level. In this way, participants gradually improve concentration, coordination and body awareness.

Clinical Pilates Floor Classes

Floor Classes (sometimes called Mat Classes) are another way to enter our Clinical Pilates programme. These classes have approximately 6 to 14 participants. Free to Move Floor Classes progress from Level 1 (beginners) to Level 2 (introduction to fitball work) and Level 3 (more challenging fitball work). An individual assessment is recommended but not compulsory prior to starting the Floor Classes.

Clinical Pilates Floor Level 1 classes introduce the basic concepts and teach the introductory exercises and correct technique, with lots of practical suggestions for making movement safer and easier. Participants also learn how to use the BodyBolster to bring relief, correct muscle imbalances and improve postural alignment. The Level 1 classes are suitable for pregnant women as well as those recovering from birth.

Clinical Pilates Floor Level 2 classes safely introduce the use of a fitball. Participants are carefully coached in the Clinical Pilates technique, using a fitball in a variety of positions such as sitting, standing, kneeling and lying down. Participants need to bring along their own Fitball or purchase one at the class.

Clinical Pilates Floor Level 3 classes include more challenging exercises, to further develop your skill and increase your exercise repertoire. Level 3 classes are suitable for people who have completed Level 2 without difficulty. They are not suitable for those with current pain or movement difficulties.