How do I get started?

The first step is an initial assessment with the physiotherapist. This identify what should be included in your programme and also to identify any precautions or safety issues. As part of preparation for your Pilates programme, we look at your abilities with your deep stabilising muscles or ‘core’ muscles, and also your trunk muscles as a group. As the ‘core’ muscles are deep muscle layers, it is often hard to know if you are contracting them effectively and accurately. To help with this, Real Time Ultrasound Imaging allows you and the physiotherapist to visualise you contract and relax these muscles. The next step is a individual Pilates sessions with your physiotherapist to put together your routine of exercises, and to learn how to use the equipment. The number of individual sessions needed might vary depending on your ability and experience, but usually between 3 and 6 sessions are required.

Pilates group:

Once you have completed the individual sessions, you are then ready to join the Pilates groups, which are scheduled at a variety of times throughout the week, including evenings and Saturdays. View below the timetable when the groups are held. The groups are held with a maximum of 4 people, and supervised closely by a physiotherapist at all times to help make sure that you continue to perform the exercises accurately. For maximum benefit and to gain strength we recommend Pilates 2-3 times a week.