Clinical Pilates in Newcastle
Pilates is based on a series of exercises developed by Joseph Pilates over 80 years ago. It was initially aimed at increasing strength and flexibility in the dance community. Modern Pilates is used to establish a stable central platform or “core”, from which the arms and legs function. Control, rather than strength is required, and the core muscles should function at a moderate level in the background.
Pilates uses various pieces of equipment to achieve this, in addition to floor exercises. The resistance provided by the equipment increases feedback to the brain via the nerves, helping it to fine tune the appropriate levels of muscle activation. The end result is smooth controlled movement.
In order to bring the practice of Pilates in to line with current research findings, the traditional method has been altered slightly. For example, a forced breath out should no longer be used as this causes muscle bracing rather than integrated control. It also leads to repeated bearing down on the pelvic floor, which can damage these muscles. The normal response to a sub maximal loaded movement is to breathe in. Repeated end range stretching under load can have a negative effect on nerve tissue and supply, so the exercises now concentrate on mid range movements and control toward the end of range.
Finally, instead of systematically increasing the resistance, which leads to muscle bracing, the loads are kept low. The complexity of the exercise is increased so the brain can practice controlling a more difficult series of movements, whilst keeping the core muscle activity in the background.
Pilates is an effective and enjoyable tool to assist with recovery from injury. It can also enable maintenance of a stable core through all the demands of a busy life, thereby contributing to injury prevention.
Here at Lambton Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine we offer Pilates-based exercise classes several times a week, run by our friendly exercise physiologist. Call our reception staff on (02) 4965 5655 to book a pre-pilates assessment if you are interested in joining a class.
Class Times:
Mondays: 10:00am, 4:30pm, 5:30pm
Tuesdays: 10:30am
Wednesdays: 10:00am, 4:00pm, 5:00pm
Friday: 9:30am, 10:30am
- Classes are 1 hour in duration, and run by an accredited exercise physiologist.
- Classes are run during the NSW school term (10 weeks on average).
- Classes are individualised and intimate, with a maximum of 4 participants per class.
Cost:
- $38 per class ($380 per 10 week school term)
- The payment for the full term must be made prior to the term commencing.
- If you are unable to attend a class, you may be offered a make-up class for that same week. Otherwise, you forgo that session.
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