The studio
Our Classes
All classes take place in the heart of Kentish Town. The studio boasts a spacious high ceiling, radiant floor heating, and abundant natural light. The studio is fully equipped with Reformers, a Wunda chair, a ladder barrel and a springboard wall unit. Judo mats and small equipment are also used in mat-based classes.
What is Pilates?
Say what? Pie and lattes? The story of Pilates started with a passionate man, a health fanatic and an advocate of physical activities, Joseph Pilates. He was born in 1883 in Dusseldorf, Germany. As a sickly child suffering from rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever his drive to overcome these ailments led to the practice of bodybuilding, gymnastics, diving and other physical pursuits.
During the course of his career, Joseph Pilates developed over 600 exercises for the various pieces of apparatus he invented. The Pilates equipment is designed to condition the entire body using positions and movements, which ultimately correct body alignment and balance. Using springs and pulleys, which create progressive resistance, the equipment helps in producing muscle contractions that simulate functional muscle action. At the same time, the stabilising muscle groups are encouraged to work isometrically to maintain correct positioning and alignment. These days Pilates is loved by celebrities, athletes, seniors, as well as endorsed by medical professionals as a method of mindful rehabilitation.
What is a reformer?
A very clever piece of equipment, the Reformer utilizes spring-loaded resistance to activate the core, develop strong lean muscles & increase metabolic rate. This is a strong abdominal, arm & leg workout.
What is a ladder barrel?
Ladder Barrels are designed to operate the core muscles, challenging the postural muscles, with emphasis on strengthening and improving range of movement whilst developing spinal flexibility and lengthening the muscles. Exercises performed on this equipment challenge the abdominal and waist muscles and strengthen the spinal cord.
What is a springboard?
Also, known as a Trapeze table or the Cadillac, a tremendous variety of exercises can be performed on the springboard. From gentle, spring-assisted sit-ups with the use of push through bar, post-rehab to advanced acrobatics; springboard offers exercises for all ages and abilities. You will be challenged in different planes of motion offering you a complete head to toe full-body workout.
What is a chair?
The Wunda Chair was originally designed as a home exercise machine that served as both a piece of workout equipment that you could perform your Pilates exercises on and also a functional piece of furniture to be used as a chair at home. Joe used the chair to rehabilitate clients with knee injuries and to train more advanced clients in full-bodied, acrobatic exercises. Joe’s background in gymnastics was reflected most clearly in the chair exercises. Men often preferred this apparatus because of its emphasis on upper-body strength.
What is a mat class?
The exercises in mat Pilates focus on strengthening the muscles of the hips, back, abdominals, and glutes or what is known in Pilates as the powerhouse. The classes typically focus on a full-body flow where you will be required to stabilise the torso to keep the abdominals contracted whilst working throughout the exercises. Popular exercises like “the hundred” strengthen the abdominals by holding a curled abdominal position while pumping the arms. Mat workouts use the weight of your own body as resistance. Small apparatus such as the Magic Circle, Foam Roller, Weighted balls or Thera-Bands are added for an extra challenge and a sprinkling of fun.
