STRAUDES MILLS — The crazed world of hot pilates and hot yoga is a fitness phenomenon that’s taking the wellness world by storm.
Certified instructor Bria Gaumer, who has been teaching classes at Body & Soul Community Centre in Strode Mills since 2018, said class attendance has more than tripled since she started there.
“It exploded.” Gaumer said. “I think there were about eight to 10 students in that first class, but it’s really taken off. We have a wide range of ages, from people in their 70s to high school and college students.”
Now, on a typical Monday, she gathers more than 60 participants in the community center’s agility room, where temperatures can reach 95 degrees and humidity levels of 40 percent.
Of course, as you heat up, the goal is to sweat, which is where Hot Pilates differs from traditional Pilates.
Imagine combining the core-strengthening, flexibility-improving benefits of Pilates with the detoxifying, calorie-burning benefits of a heated environment. Heat intensifies your workout, helping you work harder, burn more calories and see more noticeable results.
Heat also promotes detoxification, helping flush toxins from the body through sweat.The training is a mental challenge, encouraging participants to remain focused and calm in demanding conditions.
Hot yoga, another type of yoga that replicates the conditions of hot Pilates and can be quite sweaty and challenging, is becoming increasingly popular in the Juniata Valley and around the world as fitness enthusiasts discover a range of benefits.
Gaumer and her husband, Ben, moved to Mifflin County from Lewisberry in York County and started working with the community center to offer classes.
She believes the classes have created a family atmosphere at the center over the years.
“It’s really powerful and hard to put into words.” Gaumer said. “We’re a fitness family. We all struggle, but we all support each other. We all strive to be the best we can. That’s really the magic of fitness.”
“I think participation continues to grow because students love the school, they bring their friends and family and they fall in love with the school.” Gaumer added. “There’s no judgement and anyone of any fitness level can do it.”
She tries to make the 60-minute sessions fun, with pop music and low lighting, and during the holidays there are also themed classes. “Halloween Glow Class” “Planksgiving” On Turkey Day the Gaumers dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and on Christmas Day they dressed up as Mr and Mrs. Santa Claus.
“We really try to create a fun atmosphere.” She added: “We have the heating on really high – it’s not unbearable but hot enough to make you sweat.”
Hot yoga is offered on Mondays only starting at 6pm, with hot pilates immediately following at 7:15pm. Instructor Caitlin Snyder teaches a pilates class on Fridays starting at 6pm.
Classes cost $5 and do not require registration. Community Center members are welcome to attend. A full class schedule is available online.
“Please do what you can.” Gaumer said. “You’re always bettering yourself. Energy drives the class. Everyone comes here to get healthy.”
Pilates student Lindsay Renninger recently lost 50 pounds on her fitness journey, and she attributes her weight loss in large part to attending Pilates classes. “Not only has Pilates helped me physically lose weight, it’s also been really helpful for my mental health. It’s a competition against myself for an hour, pushing myself mentally and physically, with Bria and Kaitlyn encouraging me the whole time.”
Gaumer said: “The first half of the class is all about core and glute work. The second half of the class is more cardio and high-intensity interval training. We target the large muscle groups.”
For more information, visit www.bodyandsoulcc.com or find them on Facebook.
