Increase your level of physical strength and balance improvement.
Constant desk work, sports injuries and a sedentary lifestyle go hand in hand with all kinds of tension and pain, so it’s worth taking measures to ensure your health and wellbeing into the future.
But if you don’t like working hard in the gym, or your knees aren’t cut out for running, Pilates is the perfect choice. Think of it this way: it’s a low-impact, 360-degree workout in a nice package that’s good for your body and mind.
It’s an exercise system that builds muscle tone and strength, is gentle on the joints, improves posture, balance and breathing, and its calming mindfulness is a welcome antidote to the stresses of modern life.
Based on principles developed by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, the method has long been loved for its balancing effects and can be performed on a floor mat using your own body weight or on a “reformer” machine, which uses tensioned springs to work muscle groups.
“Literally everyone should be doing Pilates because it’s so beneficial,” says Jason Richardson, co-founder of Auckland’s Peak Pilates and Physiotherapy with his wife and business partner Lorna.
“It really is for everyone – anyone from 9 to 90 years old can do it. The Pilates exercises are functional, they re-educate the body, improve strength, coordination and proper breathing techniques. You work all your muscle groups in every session and get those good endorphins from exercise.”
“We all have a lot going on in our heads so it’s good to be able to think about other things. It requires a certain level of concentration so having classes gives your brain a little break,” he added.
When Jason and Lorna opened the first Peak Pilates and Physiotherapy clinic in Auckland over 20 years ago, they were one of the first studios to combine Pilates principles with physiotherapy, offering clients a holistic service of clinical Pilates for injury rehabilitation and Pilates adjustments on mats and premium reformer machines for overall wellbeing. Since then, Peak has raised the bar and become one of the best studios in the industry.
A former professional tennis player and qualified coach, Jason became interested in Pilates after suffering a back injury and subsequently studied at the renowned Pilates Institute and Stott Pilates in London, developing his unique Stability Plus Pilates method.
A former athlete and gymnast, Lorna trained as a physiotherapist in the UK and Hong Kong and heads up the clinical side of the Peak clinic, providing world class training to the team so programs and treatments are of the highest standard.
The pair now own six state-of-the-art studios around Auckland in Parnell, Grey Lynn, St Heliers, St John’s, Botany and Millwater and have built a loyal community around their family-run business.
Even if you’ve tried Pilates before, a session at Peak is a masterclass in getting to know your body better. The 60-minute lessons range from beginner to advanced, and there’s a limit of eight people per class (or you can opt for a custom workout), so everyone feels included and you get one-on-one time with your trainer.
“We intentionally keep class sizes small,” Jason says. “This makes for a better experience for everyone. Customers get more personalized service and our instructors have the opportunity to work one-on-one with each person.”
Students receive good instruction; many of the teachers are also physiotherapists, and all of the instructors are sensitive to signs of stress in the body, making sure you’re in the right position by fine-tuning your posture, making sure your joints are aligned, your breathing is correct, and your core is engaged before moving on to other muscle groups. They also explain which muscle groups are used in each exercise and how they function in the body, so you understand the how and why of what you’re doing.
The sequencing of exercises is precise and structured, and the low-impact beauty of Pilates means that some positions and movements are incredibly delicate, yet satisfyingly intense: think C-curves and bridges to work the spine and keep your back flexible, Pilates 100 to strengthen your core, and scooters for your glutes.
Peak has all the kit you need – hand weights, circles, boxes, balls, etc. Pilates sets have an endless number of variations and exercises so they never get too repetitive, and you can add more or less movements depending on how you’re feeling that day.
The class ends with a series of stretches, which are challenging but not taxing and just feel good.
What you get out of a Peak class is true pride in your efforts, and it doesn’t take many sessions before you start to see changes in your physique.
“It’s important to stay active, because once you’re out of shape, it can get worse really quickly,” says Jason. If you want to improve your health, it’s never too late to start. My dad goes to the classes twice a week to rehab from an injury and loves it.
To book or find out more about Peak Pilates or Physiotherapy, Peak Pilates
