With studios in Wichelstowe and Badbury Park, I provide a variety of pilates classes in Swindon for just about every level of Pilates experience and can tailor classes to your individual needs.
PILATES CLASSES IN SWINDON
Hi! I’m Jess, a Pilates Instructor in Wiltshire and founder of My Pilates Club.
ABOUT MY PILATES CLUB
I started my Pilates journey in 2014 in reformer classes. It didn’t take long before I fell in love with the practice and even continued with it throughout my pregnancy, which I believe made such a difference to me both during and post birth. I decided then I wanted to teach Pilates to as many people as possible and share the love.
STRENGTH, WELLBEING, EMPOWERMENT
That time on my mat allows me to ground myself and build strength leaving me with a deep sense of wellbeing and empowerment. This is the feeling I want all my clients to experience.
Mat Based Pilates Instruction
Personalised 1-on-1 instruction in mat pilates includes unique programs tailored to your individual's needs.
LEVEL 3
Exercise Referral
Effective pilates workouts are constructed for all fitness levels, ensuring you are in the best hands for your fitness goals.
LEVEL 3
Pilates for Lower Back Pain
Classes are designed to alleviate lower back pain through targeted exercises, breathing techniques, and mindful movement.
LEVEL 4
Pre & Post Natal Pilates
Develop and sustain a healthy body and mind. Stay in shape and maintain your wellness during and after your pregnancy.
LEVEL 3
MY QUALIFICATIONS
To enable me to practise and share my passion by running pilates classes in Swindon, I qualified as a Pilates Instructor in 2022 and I am CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) registered so you can be confident that I have comprehensive training to safely deliver instruction and education in Pilates practices and principles.
My training has included Pre and Post-natal practice and Pilates for lower back pain as well as other common orthopaedic conditions.
Common Orthopaedic Conditions
Specialised pilates for improved joint mobility, core strength, and overall wellbeing. Good for both injury prevention and rehabilitation.
LEVEL 3
CIMPSA Member
With official certification in pilates instruction, giving you the peace of mind in my professional development and knowledge.
QUALIFIED
Fully Insured Instructor
I help you reach your health and fitness goals in a safe and supportive manner. You are in good hands and can trust in our services.
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MY PHILOSOPHY
The body is a truly wonderful and complex mechanism, and I am in awe at what our bodies are capable of and how it allows us to move every day. I want all my clients to have a body that enables them to live their life in the best physical condition and for as long as possible. Helping people to build strength and improve their mobility is what I am passionate about. My pilates classes in Swindon are designed to help achieve all of these goals.
Since practising Pilates I have learnt what a privilege it is to be able to move our bodies and that to safe guard our well-being for the future, exercise and movement is a necessity not a luxury.
Movement of the body is so important in order to regulate our nervous system and Pilates enables you to destress and develop that mind-body connection but it’s also about creating a deeper connection with yourself. Embracing your inner strength, finding balance and experiencing the joy of movement.
As well as focusing on the physical benefits, I’ve always found exercise, in whichever form, to be a great reliever of mental stress.
PHYSICAL & MENTAL BENEFITS
No matter what your age or ability, Pilates is for everyone and no matter where you are on your Pilates journey I’ll be here to give guidance, support and encouragement, so sign up for a pilates class in Swindon or book in for a one to one with me. I can’t wait to meet you!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is Pilates?Pilates is a precise and intelligent approach to body conditioning. It is a low impact exercise comprising controlled movements that will enhance your balance, core strength, mobility and flexibility. Pilates focuses on all the muscle groups without the need for heavy weights which can add bulk instead of giving you long lean muscles. Pilates also develops body awareness and a greater understanding of how the body moves. It will teach you how to move better and allow you to do everyday tasks with ease.
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Is Pilates like Yoga?Both Yoga and Pilates are great forms of exercise and help to develop a mind-body connection easing tension and anxiety. They can both help to build strength and flexibility. Where they differ is the focus. Pilates is more dynamic than Yoga, which places more emphasis on the static hold of poses. Pilates challenges your core by holding a position and then moving your arms or legs or both. It focuses on small movements that require the use of stabilising muscles of the back and core. Pilates also focuses on strengthening your deepest abdominal muscles.
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How will Pilates benefit me?Pilates has a number of benefits and if practised correctly and consistently can help transform the body. Many of the exercises we do in Pilates centre on strengthening your core or deep abdominal muscles which will help to improve posture, balance and flexibility. It helps to strengthen and tone your muscles and is a great all body strengthening and conditioning exercise. Ultimately the freedom of movement is what we all strive for as we get older and to prevent injury. Pilates is particularly beneficial for the middle aged and elderly to maintain muscle strength, the desk bound and inactive, pregnant and post-natal and those referred by their doctor, physio, osteopath, chiropractor or other practitioner.
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I have a bad back, can I still do Pilates?If you have been cleared by your doctor or healthcare professional to engage in physical activity, then Pilates can definitely help to get you back on the road to recovery. In fact, Pilates is one of the main exercises healthcare professionals recommend in the recovery and rehabilitation of any injury or if people suffer with back pain as it is low impact and a safe way to build up strength and mobility.
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How long before I see the difference?Joseph Pilates once said himself that ‘in 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 session’s you’ll see the difference and in 30 you’ll have a whole new body’. Like with anything in life if you can put in the work consistently and with the correct guidance there are no limits to what you can achieve. Although Pilates is a great exercise to work on those parts you feel you could improve, I always advocate considering how something makes you feel first. Pilates will make you feel stronger, more centred and improve body awareness. If you love how something makes you feel, then you are more likely to make the time for it and build it into your routine.
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Can Pilates help with my posture?Yes it can and will. As well as building the stronger muscles Pilates exercises work to strengthen the weaker ones too. This results in a properly balanced body with better joint mobility and a good natural posture. Pilates will help you to strengthen the centre of your body so that it supports your lower back, helping you to stand straight and hold your upper body correctly.
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How often should I practise Pilates?The more you practice the sooner you’ll feel the benefit but ideally you would want to attend 1-2 sessions with your instructor a week along with some practice at home. The great thing about Pilates is that you don’t have to devote yourself to an entire hour of practice. Doing just 15-20 minutes a few times a week outside of your classes will make a real difference to how you feel. As well as offering pilates classes in Swindon, I like to give clients exercises they can do at home on their mat without any equipment on a regular basis.
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Do I have to be super fit to do Pilates?Pilates is for everybody no matter your level of fitness. A great instructor will be able to modify the exercises to consider your level of fitness and mobility, as well as challenge you when they think you can do more! Although more and more athletes are using Pilates as part of their fitness programmes, you don’t have to be one!
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What are the Pilates principles?The Pilates Principles were originally created by some of Joseph Pilates students not Joseph himself. The aim was to try and condense Joseph’s theories to make it more accessible to students. When teaching classes an instructor will explain and ask clients to practice the following principles through their movement: Breath Concentration Control Precision Centre Flow Don’t worry all these principles are explained in a class and will help you to develop a deeper understanding of how Joseph Pilates intended on people to carry out his exercises.
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What should I wear/bring to a pilates class?Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Bring your mat and you may also like to bring a small towel/cushion to help support you with some exercises and most definitely some water. We'd love to welcome you to our friendly group pilates classes in Swindon where you'll be shown everything you need to know!
COMMON TERMINOLOGY
USED IN PILATES CLASSES
YOUR POWERHOUSE
This includes the abdominal muscles, lower back muscles, pelvic floor muscles and the glutes. These muscles work together to form a ‘corset’ around your centre. By strengthening these muscles, we enable the body to stabilise itself whilst moving. All Pilates moves start with the powerhouse.
LATERAL THORACIC BREATHING
Or ‘sideways breathing’ is used in Pilates. We keep the lower belly engaged the entire time which enables us to breathe into the ribcage and direct the breath into the back and side of the body. There should be a lateral expansion of your ribs as you inhale whilst we draw our abdominal muscles in towards our spine.
TRANSVERSE ABDOMINALS (TVA)
Often in class an instructor will ask you to engage your TVA. To do this imagine yourself wearing a corset and tightening that corset to bring your abdominal muscles towards your spine. To help an instructor may ask you to suck your belly button towards your spine.
PELVIC FLOOR
Engaging your pelvic floor can be tricky especially after birth but it is a very important group of muscles both men and women need to exercise and strengthen. This muscle is the one you use to stop yourself mid-pee or to hold it in (which is not advised!). In Pilates we perform the exercises and contract our pelvic floor at approximately 30% of engagement. Again, this may take time to master but it is crucial in strengthening our core and powerhouse.
NEUTRAL SPINE
A neutral spine is when all three curves, cervical, thoracic and lumbar are intact and in good alignment. This is the strongest position for your spine to be in and in this position, you are putting the least amount of stress on the muscles and bones which is why in Pilates we often work in neutral spine.
PELVIC TILT
To achieve a neutral pelvis an instructor will perform pelvic tilt exercises with clients to enable them to find a neutral pelvis. It compromises of rocking the pelvis forwards and backwards until you find that neutral spot in between the two. As with a neutral spine Pilates exercises are often done with a neutral pelvis. Sometimes it may feel neutral to you but in fact you could have an anterior or posterior tilt which is why guidance from an instructor is important. We do not want to perform exercises in an anterior or posterior tilt as this could be very damaging for our lower back.
Some fitness classes can be daunting when the instructor uses words not in your everyday vocab! Below are some common terms that instructors may use in Pilates classes when they want you to focus on something or move your body in a certain way.
Please don’t worry these will be explained regularly in classes and before long you’ll be quoting them yourself!
Per session: £30pp
Block of 5: £140pp (save £10pp)
Block of 10: £200pp (save £50pp)
Workout with a friend or your partner at your home or place of choosing
Duet: One to One
