It is a movement method, developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany. As a child, Pilates suffered from asthma and rickets, and he was determined to make his frail and sickly body stronger. During World War I, he was interned and taught his method to his fellow internees. As a result, many remained healthy during the deadly flu epidemic of 1918. At the end of the war, Pilates had to work as a hospital orderly on the Isle of Man, where he began working with non-ambulatory patients. He attached springs to the beds, which supported the patients’ injured limbs while he worked with them. He and the doctors noticed that the patients recovered more quickly thanks to the exercises. These exercises with springs became the basis for the method Pilates would later develop, which, in addition to mat training, is used on equipment such as the Reformer (Siler, 2000).

The pilates philosophy focuses on training the body and mind to work together to achieve overall good condition. Strong and long muscles, flexibility, a better (‘straighter’) posture, correct and deep breathing, more coordination and balance, these are just a few of the physical benefits of pilates. Through the movements you learn to control your body again, with conscious thoughts you focus your mind and reduce your stress.

You can compare pilates to ‘healthy food’ for your body. By doing pilates two to three times a week, you will feel your body change. Or, as Joseph Pilates himself said: “In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body“.
Pilates exercises are also exercises that you take with you into daily life: you will notice that after a number of times you also walk differently on the street, walk up the stairs, lift things, etc. You become more aware of your body (posture) and learn to adopt a correct posture and move correctly. Pilates is a lifestyle!

Throughout the hundred years that pilates has existed, various movements have emerged, some more exotic than others. Combinations with other movement forms such as yoga (yogalates) will each have their followers, but we ourselves believe in the classical teaching as developed by Pilates himself: a proven method that has produced fantastic results worldwide for decades. We work according to the classical method of, among others, Peak Pilates, one of the most leading pilates training institutes www.peakpilates.com, recognized by the PMA (Pilates Method Alliance, the umbrella organization that monitors the quality of classical pilates training worldwide and sets the standard for it. www.pilatesmethodalliance.com)

If you have no significant physical complaints, you can join a mat group class. Ideally, however, it is best to start with an individual session (by appointment when it suits you).
During this first session, we ‘read’ your body (also using a screening form), and focus on ‘fundamentals’, so-called basic techniques that form the foundation of many pilates exercises you will later learn on the mat, the Reformer, the Tower, the Chair, etc. Pain points are detected, things you may already be aware of (because they cause you pain, for example), but also things you are not aware of, but which stand in the way of correct posture.
Together we will work out the most suitable training method for you. This can be a combination of private and group lessons, or a number of private lessons after which you can step into the group lessons better prepared with a better understanding of your own body and functioning. Or you continue to train privately, alone or in duo or trio – with pilates enthusiasts of a similar level.

Pilates is best practiced barefoot or with anti-slip socks. Especially when training on the equipment, this helps to have enough grip and thus train safely. Furthermore, leggings or tighter sports pants and a top are definitely fine. Better not to wear loose t-shirts, as it is then harder for us to see if you are connecting your core muscles correctly.
Note: better not to wear pants with zippers, as these can damage the leather of the pilates equipment.

Back pain can be due to many factors, which are not always easy to diagnose: (congenital) imbalances in your body, incorrect posture and/or incorrect movements in your daily life, etc. If you have an acute back problem, now is probably not the ideal time to start pilates.
If, on the other hand, you have had nagging, chronic (lower) back pain for some time, pilates can certainly help and is even highly recommended!
If you have doubts about whether pilates is suitable for you, consult your doctor and/or physiotherapist!

Pilates, like yoga, is a mind-body workout where you consciously work with your body. But that is about the only similarity. Many people doubt whether pilates is for them, because (I quote) “it’s not a cardio workout.” While that is indeed not the primary goal of pilates, you can definitely create a cardio workout with pilates. The condition, however, is that you know the exercises/sequence, have mastered the pilates technique sufficiently, and can therefore continue to work from your center to keep up the pace without overloading or incorrectly loading your body. If that’s not a challenge!

A pilates body is powerful, streamlined, toned without ‘bulky’ muscles. Thanks to pilates, you get a body that moves balanced and supple.
Losing weight is never a goal in itself with pilates. But because your body becomes more toned thanks to pilates, it may seem as if you have lost a few kilos 😉