247CM Fotografi | Natalie Arroyo Camacho
247CM Fotografi | Natalie Arroyo Camacho
Första gången Jag provade Pilates 2021 var det så utmanande att jag svor att jag aldrig skulle gå tillbaka. Nyligen dock på en av mina , gick jag förbi en Club Pilates-plats, och den såg mycket mer lättillgänglig ut än den tidigare studion jag hade besökt, vilket lockade mig att prova.
Even though I skipped the free 30-minute introductory course Club Pilates offers and dove right into a level-one Reformer Flow class, during the actual session I never felt like I was working too hard; I wasn't profusely sweating or breathing too heavily. But I certainly felt the burn in the days after.
Nedan hittar du min fullständiga (och ärliga) Club Pilates-recension.
Vad är Club Pilates?
Club Pilates är en kedja av reformer Pilates-baserade träningsstudior med platser över hela USA såväl som internationellt, på platser inklusive Dominikanska republiken, Tyskland och Singapore.) Förutom reformer Pilates träning , Club Pilates erbjuder klasser som använder TRX, Exo-stolar, Bosu-bollar, hantlar, mattor och rullar.
Företaget grundades i San Diego 2007. Teknikerna som erbjuds av Club Pilates inkluderar några uppdateringar av den klassiska pilatesmetoden, nämligen att utöka den utrustning som deltagarna använder under lektionerna. Men företagets kärnerbjudanden och träningsmetoder är inspirerade av Joseph Pilates filosofi, Pilates grundare och namne.
Hur är Club Pilates?
Put simply, Club Pilates is as approachable as a fitness class can get. The location I went to looks like a regular Pilates studio. There are boxes, foam rollers, reformers, rings, weights, and yoga mats. The studio is adorned with mirrors along the walls adjacent to the reformers so that you can see (and correct, when necessary) your form.
247CM Fotografi | Natalie Arroyo Camacho
Det jag älskade mest med Club Pilates är att personalen är vänlig och hjälpsam. Min instruktör, Megan Wallace , made each of us feel really comfortable on our reformers. She provided clear instructions, gently reminded us to work with our breath, and gave us positive feedback when she heard us doing so. And while this is a small detail, at the end of class Wallace nudged us to spray and wipe down our reformers, and each participant did so happily. To me, this display of hygiene and gym etiquette always bodes well for a class's cleanliness and overall vibes.
Även om Club Pilates inte har Equinox-liknande faciliteter, är badrummet välfyllt med några favoriter - inklusive Batiste Dry Shampoo och Dove Spray-On Deodorant. Jag träffade en vän efter Pilates och behövde fräscha upp mig, så jag uppskattade särskilt dessa förmåner.
247CM Fotografi | Natalie Arroyo Camacho
Det finns också cubbies för dina tillhörigheter på North Hollywood plats Jag besökte. De var riktigt rymliga och passade min väska, sandaler, vattenflaska och solglasögon med massor av utrymme att övergå. Hyllan är ganska stor, och den verkar ha fler cubbies än reformers, så att hitta en cubby (även om du är sen) borde inte vara ett problem.
Är Club Pilates ett bra träningspass?
Even at level one, I'd say that Club Pilates is a good workout. Throughout the entire Reformer Flow class, I didn't really sweat. And while I did struggle during several moves, the class as a whole didn't feel super challenging, so I didn't think that I actually got a good workout in. But when I woke up the next day, my abs were sore. I couldn't even giggle without feeling my core hurt a bit. To me, that's the sign of a solid workout.
247CM Fotografi | Natalie Arroyo Camacho
Det finns fyra olika klasser at Club Pilates, starting off super easy at level one. From here, the classes ascend in difficulty by half a point measure at a time, with the highest level of difficulty for a given class being 2.5. Not all classes go this high, though. The Restore class only goes up to 1.5, and certain locations may not offer all difficulty levels. (The NoHo studio's Reformer Flow class only goes up to level 2, for instance.)
There are also different types of classes, including Cardio Sculpt (high intensity), Center + Balance, Control, Restore, Suspend (the TRX-based class), F.I.T. (bootcamp style), and teen. If you're looking for the best or most difficult workout, Wallace recommends the highest level Reformer Flow.
But another sign that Club Pilates is more concerned with making sure everyone gets the best workout for them, versus just filling classes: to sign up for Reformer Flow 2, participants need instructor approval, Wallace says. 'This class is for clients with extensive reformer experience, as it focuses on balance, strength, and advanced Pilates movements using lighter spring tension,' she says. If you don't have the experience but want to work hard, your instructor can help point you to a more appropriate class to help you build the experience you need. Wallace notes that the first two levels can still give you a good workout, especially if you focus on engaging your core and keeping the right form.
Regardless of the difficulty level or class that you choose, Club Pilates is a welcoming space where folks don't judge each other. I felt comfortable taking the modifications Wallace offered and never felt like people were staring at me or thinking that I was unfit. And that's the kind of energy that'll keep me coming back to a group workout.
Vad är värt att notera om Club Pilates
While I had a great time and will be returning, I'd be remiss not to mention that I felt a little out of place at first. My class was full of white-presenting people, and I was one of two women of color. That said, once the class started, those things didn't matter — again, a credit to the welcoming ethos of Club Pilates and the warmth of my instructor. We were all there to move our bodies in a judgment-free zone. I got out of my head and just started doing the movements. (Also, of course, the makeup of your class will depend on where your studio is located and even when you go: though my class was mostly white, the intro class at 5 p.m. had only women of color in it, so I could tell it was a welcoming space.)
Också värt att veta i förväg: du behöver greppstrumpor för alla klasser. Du kan ta med dina egna eller köpa dem i studions butik för cirka 20 $.
Vem Club Pilates är bra för
After attending a Club Pilates class for myself, I highly recommend it to anyone who's curious about Pilates, including those who are new to the workout modality and especially people who've been put off by it before. It's a great workout, although if you're looking for something super sweaty or intense, you may want to sample one of the more difficult offerings on the Club Pilates menu. Regardless, the folks at Club Pilates made the class less intimidating and reassured me at every turn, which is exactly what I want to get out of my fitness class.
Natalie Arroyo Camacho är en San Fernando Valley-baserad journalist med mer än fem års erfarenhet av välbefinnande och livsstil. Natalie, som är ett stolt barn till invandrare och första generationens mexikansk amerikan, har fått sin byline i Los Angeles Times, GQ, Teen Vogue, Remezcla, PS och många andra.
