FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Pilates and why is there so much emphasis on the Core?
Pilates is a system of exercise named after its founder Joseph Pilates.  It is based on the six reigning principles of: Concentration, Control, Centering, Precision, Flow of Movement and Breath.

Joseph Pilates understood that the body repairs and strengthens itself through movement. Pilates is a workout that will keep your body strong, flexible and functioning as it ages and enables you to do whatever you enjoy doing for longer.

As the word ‘Pilates’ has been deemed a generic term, it means is that anyone can call what they teach ‘Pilates’ whether or not they uphold the standards of authentic Pilates and its principles or even if they have sufficient training.  At The Pilates Company we teach Pilates in the Authentic tradition, giving our clients the true benefits that Pilates offers.

All strength and movement originates from the Core. A well-balanced Pilates workout uses all the muscles of the core including the abdominals, back and sides of the body resulting in a feeling of freedom and well being.

What are the different Styles of Pilates?
There are three main styles of Pilates.  These are:

Authentic Pilates / Traditional Pilates / Clinical Pilates.

This Style follows either strictly or loosely the teaching and principles of Joseph Pilates.

Health Club / Fitness Pilates

As Pilates classes in the health club environment can be very large, this style of palates may be very generic as it need to cater for all the participants in the class.

Clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates is a system of safe and effective Pilates based exercises used to treat an individuals’ specific needs. Clinical Pilates is generally practiced by Physiotherapists, Osteopaths or Exercise Physiologist, however a well trained, experienced Pilates Instructor can also use the Pilates method and exercises to rehabilitate an injured client.

How do I get started?

If you have never taken a Pilates class before or are new to Pilates you will take ‘Pilates Starter Programe’ sessions to begin.  These are four private sessions that will be the foundation of your Pilates practice.  Pilates classes employ the unique Pilates equipment and principles, and we need to show you how it all works!

You should wear something you feel comfortable to work out in. Pilates classes can be taken bare foot, wearing socks or purchase grip socks at the studio.  For the Pilates Barre classes we recommend bare feet.

How can Pilates help me?
Pilates can help anyone who is interested in improving his or her fitness and strength. Among the many extraordinary benefits of Authentic Pilates are: muscular balance, coordination, correct posture, strengthening of the lungs, suppleness, increased circulation, injury prevention and rehabilitation, restoration of vitality, and elevation of spirit.
What is the benefit of doing Pilates in small groups?
The smaller the group, the more personalized attention you can get.  At The Pilates Company we limit our classes to four clients so that we can still give you personal attention at a class rate.
How often do I need to take Pilates to maintain good health?
Once a week is good; two to three times a week is optimal.  Pilates will also compliment and enhance all your other health related activities.
What should I know about good Studio etiquette?
Please turn off your mobile phone before entering the studio. For your own comfort and safety, it’s a good idea to remove any chunky jewelry and dangly earrings. To be considerate of other students, please avoid excessive moisturizer, perfume, or hairspray. For your own comfort and that of other students, please avoid wearing very short shorts, or other clothing that could leave you feeling overexposed as you perform a variety of exercises on the Pilates equipment.
If I am pregnant can I still do Pilates?
Yes! Pilates is a great exercise for pregnancy and all of you pregnant clients come to sessions with the full support of their Obstetricians / Gynecologists.  Our staff have a great deal of experience working with the pregnant client and we very much enjoy taking them through this time in their lives.
If I have an injury can l do Pilates?
Yes, many painful conditions in the body are caused by simple imbalances or stress. Correcting these imbalances and relieving the stress often can relieve the pain. There are many modifications for different injuries and limitations and we highly recommend making an appointment for a Private Session before joining group classes in order to learn how to modify exercises appropriately for your condition.

Specific diagnosed problems need the attention of a medical specialist and anyone under a physician’s care should not engage in Pilates without consent from his/her physician.

What are the age limits for doing Pilates?
Pilates is for all ages.  Our youngest client is only 15 years old and out oldest is now 84.  Joseph Pilates himself was 84 and still doing his exercise résumé when he passed.  Romana (his favourite student and prodigy) did Pilates into her late eights.
I take mat classes, how is a workout with Pilates equipment different?
The equipment was developed to help people gain strength and flexibility for the mat work. Doing the mat properly is extremely difficult and takes a strong, well developed body. The various apparatus that Joe invented help to target specific areas that need strengthening or more freedom. Each piece of equipment supports the other and teaches the body the principles of Pilates in different ways.
Can I use my Health Insurance to claim my Pilates sessions?
One of the most commonly asked questions is ” Am I able to claim against my Health Fund?”

We would like to give you a simple YES/NO but as is often the case with the Health Funds here in Australia, the answer is a bit more complicated than that!  It depends on which Fund you are a member of and the Level of Cover you have.

It is very important to note that all the instructors at The Pilates Company are specialist Pilates Instructors who specialize only in Pilates and consequently teach at the highest standards available in Australia.

Although choosing a Pilates studio based on being able to claim a Health Rebate sounds great, it may be false economy and can actually be more expensive in the medium to long term.  The fact is that Health Rebates (whilst understandably worth considering) should be the least important factor in choosing a Pilates Studio. The highest priority when considering undertaking Pilates should be whether it is the right style for you and whether the Pilates Practitioner has the relevant training.

How is Pilates different to Yoga?
Pilates and yoga both stress the connection between mind and body, and are complementary forms of work.  There are many diverse styles of Yoga, some of which teach a philosophy of living that includes meditation, breathing and chanting as well as a physical practice. Pilates is exercise, and one session requires just 55 minutes. It is always executed with dynamic flow and few repetitions. With the exception of a few exercises that emphasize a specific breathing pattern, the rest of the workout is done with natural breathing and flow.

For more information on this question, please refer to the ‘Pilates v’s Yoga’ topic under ‘Resources’

What is your cancellation policy?
All sessions that are cancelled with less than 15 hours notice are charges at the full rate.  The front desk will always try to fill last minute cancellations but the short notice makes it difficult.

GET IN TOUCH

p. 03 5678 5196
m. 0412 646 773  /  0412 500 649
info@thepilatescompany.com.au

San Remo VIC 3925