Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I book classes?
A. You will need to first register your contact and medical details. We will send you information about how to do this by email. Please contact us.
Q. What should I wear?
A. Clothes should be close fitting and unrestricting rather than baggy so that the instructor can see how you are moving and help you more easily. Bare feet or socks are fine for matwork classes. Socks should be worn in the equipment studio. Please remove dangly or sharp jewellery that may injure you or damage the equipment. Please also note that clothing with zips at the back can cause damage to equipment and may also 'dig in' to your back and should be avoided.
Q. What do I need to bring to class?
A. A small hand towel and drinking water if required. Mats are provided but you are welcome to bring your own.
Q. How long does a class last?
A. One hour unless otherwise stated
Q. Do I have to sign up for a course of classes?
A. If you are unable to commit to a course of class (e.g. you work shifts) then you can use our single class booking facility.
Q. Do you run any classes during school holiday?
A. We run a limited number of single classes (not courses) during school holidays. We also offer private or small group classes in the equipment studio all year round.
Q. When are the half-term holidays?
A. The dates vary and are published on our class times pages.
Q. How do I pay for classes?
A. Payment is by Bank transfer, cheque or cash. We do not accept credit or debit card payments. Payment details will be on your invoice which will be emailed to you when you enrol.
Q. Where can I park my car?
A. Please park in the main large car park and not in the courtyard in front of New Body Barn.
Q. What if I can't attend a class?
A. If you know in advance (up to midnight the day before your class) that you will miss a class (or classes) please notify us by posting the date(s) on the class swap page. This will also notify your instructor. You may be able to find an alternative space on a suitable class at the same level. However, we cannot guarantee an alternative and you may need to check the swap board frequently for new postings. Regular matwork classes are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Reformer classes are limited to a maximum of 4.
If you find you are unable to attend on the day of your class please notify Christine by phone or text to 07833 907839 or email her here: contact us and she will notify other instructors if necessary.
Q What if I miss a class?
A. Unfortunately we are unable to refund missed class. Classes missed cannot be carried over to future terms or applied against private sessions. If you find you are unable to attend on the day of your class it would be helpful if you could please notify Christine by phone or text to 07833 907839 or email her: contact us by email.
Q. How does the class swap system work?
A. First Log in and click on the 'Class Swap' icon. You can then view the list of other posted cancellations to see if any are suitable for you. Before you can book one of these you must first add the class you cannot attend. If there are no suitable classes posted then nothing will listed. You will need to visit the swap page at regular intervals for any updates. We cannot guarantee alternative places will be available. Swaps can only be arranged up until around midnight the day before your class so that the instructor is aware of and can prepare for any changes to the class attendees. The swap facility is a client based self-service system and we are unable to arrange swaps for you.
Q. What classes can I swap onto?
A. In general, any class that is of the same ability level or easier than any classes you have attended in the past. Of course there also has to be a vacancy posted by another client! Here is a 'class compatibilty' table which summarises where swaps are permitted in addition to classes of the same level:
| Swap Compatibility | |
| From: | To: |
| Matwork: Gentle / Beginner | Matwork: Beginner to Improver |
| Matwork: Beginner to Improver | Matwork: Gentle / Beginner |
| Matwork: Improver to Intermediate | Matwork: Gentle / Beginner; Beginner to Improver |
| Matwork: Intermediate to Advanced | Matwork: Gentle / Beginner; Beginner to Improver; Improver to Intermediate |
| Reformer 1 | Matwork: Gentle / Beginner; Beginner to Improver; Improver to Intermediate |
| Reformer 2 | Matwork: Gentle / Beginner; Beginner to Improver; Improver to Intermediate; Intermediate to Advanced |
Q. Can I change my class level?
A. Yes. Please discuss this with your instructor who will advise you if an alternative level will be suitable. If your desired class is full then please log in, click the 'classes' icon and then you can join the waiting list by clicking the red cross adjacent to your desired class.
Q. How do I book private Pilates sessions?
A. Contact Christine from our 'contact us' page here.
Q. Is Pilates just for women?
A. Absolutely not! We already have many male clients of all levels. In fact, many top sportsmen incorporate Pilates into their training, e.g., Andy Murray; the New Zealand 'All Blacks' rugby team; the British Olympic Rowing Team.
Q. Can I do Pilates whilst pregnant?
A. Yes. Pilates is very beneficial during pregnancy and helps achieve faster postnatal recovery. We recommend private sessions or special antenatal classes.
Q. I have an injury/illness - can Pilates help?
A. Pilates is very beneficial to conditions such as back pain, neck pain, rehabilitation after knee, hip or shoulder operations. It can also offer benefits to those suffering from fibromyalgia, M.S., Parkinson's and scoliosis.
Q. Am I too young/old for Pilates?
A. Pilates is suitable for all ages. It can help children to develop strength their around joints and improve their posture. For seniors, Pilates helps improve flexibility, strengthen coordination and improve balance. We have clients in their late 80's.
Q. Are the Pilates instructors fully qualified?
A. Yes. All our Pilates instructors are highly qualified professionals and we only hire the best! Each instructor has invested hundreds of hours studying the technique. They have learnt the philosophy and theory behind hundreds of exercises. They learn more than just a series of moves which sets them apart from instructors who have only completed a short course. They have learnt how to properly assess each individual client's posture and how to adapt exercises for various conditions. All our instructors are passionate about Pilates and undergo many hours of continual training each year.
Q. How often should I attend?
A. 2-3 times per week would allow maximum input of newly acquired movement patterns into the body and general wellbeing. We encourage you to come as often as you can and to diversify your sessions to keep the body on its toes (no pun intended!).
Q. What is the difference between Pilates and Yoga?
A. To quote a Californian fitness instructor "...One is 'eyes close and think of God' and the other is 'eyes open and think of your butt.'..." Both are beneficial and there are similarities partly because Joseph Pilates consciously drew upon both eastern and western traditions when he first developed his method around one hundred years ago. The key differences are: 1) Yoga - static holding of poses; Pilates - dynamic movement focusing more on core strength. 2) Pilates exercises can be done on machines which can enhance your development.
Q. What results can I expect from doing Pilates?
A. Practicing Pilates on a regular basis will help you achieve a healthy mind. You can expect to build longer and stronger muscles, improve your flexibility and reduce your chance of injuries. Pilates helps to strengthen the muscles that support your back and reduce pain and stiffness. Your posture will be improved and your balance and coordination enhanced. Of course, what you put in you get out! A once-weekly class is a good start. We recommend you practice Pilates excercises 2-4 time a week by either at home and/or attending additional classes. This will help develop your muscle memory and you will see better results faster.
Q. Will I lose weight by doing Pilates?
A. Pilates is not generally a cardiovascular exercise except at the top level. We recommend you also do some other more aerobic activities such as swimming; walking or Nordic Walking; cycling; running. Pilates promotes deep and efficient respiration which will make your your cardiovascular exercise more effective.
Q. What is the difference between Pilates matwork and equipment classes?
A. Mat based exercises are a good starting point for those new to Pilates. You will become proficient in the fundamentals of Pilates and can progress to intermediate and advanced levels. Such exercises rely upon natural body weight and gravity to provide resistance to muscle movement. The equipment studio machines are specifically designed to offer non-gravity resistance to muscles groups of which some would be difficult to challenge by traditional mat exercises.
