What to wear:

You should wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement; clothing should not be too loose. Many exercises are performed on your back, making loose shorts inappropriate. Pilates is usually performed in bare feet, but you may wear your socks if you wish.

 

Are there any prerequisites? 

If you are  healthy and uninjured, some classes like barre and mat classes are open to everyone.  

You are required to complete either a New Student Orientation Session or a New Student Orientation Package before signing up for an equipment class. Find more information about classes here >

If you are recovering from an injury, you must complete a full evaluation with our instructors before registering for classes. More information here.

 

Is there more than one level of equipment class? 

Yes: 

Level 1 : Foundation

The foundation class highlights Pilates’ key principles in a supportive and inviting atmosphere. Exercises at this level emphasize proper form and execution of movements. Foundation level classes are essential preparation for higher level classes.

Level 2 : Challenge

Challenge Pilates requires competence in the foundation-level principles and exercises. Those who train at this level at this level enjoy a focus on conditioning and strengthening the core and limbs, as well as increasing coordination by adding a more complex series of movements.

Level 3 : Advanced / Athletic

Advanced Pilates requires a demonstrated competence in advanced Pilates movement. Always joyful and robust, advanced classes are conducted at a rapid pace. Cardiovascular conditioning and circuit training may also be part of workouts at this level. Participants must be able to maintain an intense exercise pace.

 

Can I take Private Sessions?

Yes!  Evolve offers Private Sessions customized to meet individual needs. Your instructor will help develop a workout program specific to your body and goals, selecting the exercises that will benefit you the most. Private sessions are ideal for new clients, clients with injuries, and more advanced clients looking to improve their form.  You can also use private sessions to focus on GYROTONIC®, Structural Integration and Garuda. Semi-private Pilates sessions are also available if you'd like to take classes with a friend, spouse, training partner, or family member.  Contact us to sign up for a private session >

 

 

 

About Pilates:

Even if you’ve never taken a Pilates class we can teach you about the concepts you need to know to make your body strong and healthy.

The Pilates Method is a unique system of strengthening and stretching exercises developed by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920's. Pilates fuses aspects of eastern and western exercise disciplines: from the east comes an emphasis on the mind-body connection and flexibility and from the west comes an emphasis on muscle tone, strength and endurance.

Pilates builds a strong, well-aligned body that moves with efficiency and ease. Exercises are performed on different types of apparatus with adjustable spring tensions to strengthen areas of weakness and balance the body. Props such as balls, foam rolls, rings and bands are also utilized.

 

Q:  What makes Pilates different from other forms of exercise?
A:  Pilates will bring about positive changes to your body regardless of your fitness level.

Q: How can Pilates help me?

  • Tones and defines muscles

  • Strengthens the deep core muscles to support the back

  • Emphasizes correct posture, breathing and body alignment

  • Increases balance and stability

  • Corrects muscular imbalances

  • Releases tension

  • Decreases pain

Q:  Who can take Pilates?
A: Pilates is suitable for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. New exercisers, fitness enthusiasts, athletes, chronic pain sufferers, rehab patients, and pregnant women have all benefited from the Pilates Method. Evolve's experienced instructors will tailor a Pilates program to your specific needs.

 

Dispelling Some Pilates Myths

Myth: Pilates is just for women
Fact: Absolutely not. Pilates was created by a man for men and women. Pilates helps improve posture by strengthening muscles in a more functional manner than some of the regular gym machines. This approach to training benefits both men and women. As a matter of fact, many men would suffer from fewer injuries and benefit more from their fitness routines and weight training if they added a Pilates class to their weekly routine.

Myth: Pilates is just stretching
Fact: Pilates does improve flexibility, but probably not how you think. True flexibility of a joint means the joint can go through its full range of motion. Full range of motion of a joint is accomplished by balancing the strength of the muscles surrounding a joint. Pilates teaches you to balance strength, and rarely utilizes static stretching poses. Pilates moves joints through challenging movements that force you to rely on stabilizing muscles to help control and then improve joint range of motion.

Myth: Pilates isn’t resistance training
Fact: Pilates IS resistance training. Pilates equipment utilizes cable systems much like the free weight cable machines in the gym. The difference is that Pilates equipment uses springs instead of weight plates. Joseph Pilates was well ahead of his time when he chose to use springs for conditioning the body. Unlike a weight, the contraction and release of a spring works the same way your muscles do. The springs have the ability to provide resistance in one direction and assistance in the opposite direction. Springs very closely resemble the way the body's muscles move in real life, developing tension while simultaneously lengthening. Use of springs with exercise means no strain on the joint at the beginning of the range of motion and the benefit of a larger amount of resistance at the end of the range of motion.

Myth: I won’t be able to do Pilates unless I’m flexible
Fact: Pilates is appropriate for men and women of all shapes and sizes. Pilates machines can assist you in finding a greater range of motion in all of your joints. Let's face it: flexiblility feels good. Pilates helps you to become stronger and more flexible at the same time. You don’t have to be able to bend your body into a pretzel to see and feel the positive changes in your body.

 

More Info: 

Read about Joseph Pilates on Wikipedia »
Read about Pilates on Wikipedia »
Read about Pilates on the National Pilates Method Alliance website »