Pilates

At Balmain Sports Medicine, Rozelle we provide 'studio-based pilates';

which ensures individualised sessions and quality instruction from a Physiotherapist or qualified Pilates Instructor using specialised equipment (Reformer, Cadillac / Trapeze, Wunda Chair, Ultra Sound and small equipment). A thorough assessment is undertaken prior to commencing Pilates using the Ultra Sound machine, to ensure your abdominals and pelvic floor are recruited during exercises. A specific program can then be developed to meet your bodies needs.

All pilates sessions with our Physiotherapists are claimable through your Private Health Insurance if you have appropriate Physiotherapy cover. 

Private                                               (1 Instructor To 1 Client)

Are a great way for beginners to be introduced to the techniques involved in Pilates, ensuring you learn and understand the correct principles involved. The Ultra Sound machine is used to ensure recruitment of abdominals and pelvic floor is understood before you move on to, semi-private and / or mat classes. Each session is 60 minutes in duration.

Semi-Private                                    (1 Instructor To Max 3 Clients)

With a maximum of 3 clients to ensure you continue to receive individual attention, these sessions are for those with a good pilates skill level. Equipment used: Reformer, Cadillac / Trapeze, Wunda Chair and small apparatus. Your instructor will modify your programs regularly to provide challenging and interesting sessions that are tailored to maximise your results.

Mat Classes                                     (1 Instructor To Max 8 Clients)

Mat Classes focus on a whole body pilates workout, utilising Matwork exercises and small apparatus equipment, such as swiss balls, theraband, free weights, magic-circles and foam rollers. The class is restricted to a maximum of eight clients to ensure high quality tuition by the instructor.

Pre And Post-Natal Pilates                              

During pregnancy, part of the body's preparation for childbirth is to ensure the body's ligaments become more relaxed, via the release of relaxin, a hormone. This unfortunately causes the joints of the body, and in particular, the lumbar spine and pelvis, to become a little more unstable, which causes pain and discomfort.Pregnancy related conditions can include low back pain, upper back pain, pelvic pain (SIJ or pubic symphysis pain) or diastasis recti (abdominal separation).

Pilates minimises the effects of this conditions by:

• activating specific deep stabilising muscles and the pelvic floor to achieve optimal joint stability and prevent urinary incontinency post-partum
• specific postural and task specific re-training ie, lifting and holding baby
• increasing your upper body strength in preparation for your increased postural demands and functional activities post-partum

What Can Pilates Help?

• posture-related conditions
• rehabilitation of peripheral or spinal conditions
• post-surgical rehabilitation
• transition from 'hands-on' treatment to return to work / sport
• athletes
• dancers
• seniors exercise
• balance and fall prevention
• pregnancy (pre and post - natal)
• workers compensation rehabilitation

Pee-Lah-Tees Background

Pilates is a form of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasises the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility and awareness, in order to support efficient, graceful movement. Joseph invented several pieces of Pilates equipment (including the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair and Barrel) which he used while training his students. Joseph migrated to America where, along with his wife Clara, he opened a studio in New York in the same building as the school of American Ballet. It was this proximity which made Pilates such an intrinsic part of many dancers training and the equipment he had invented allowed dancers an alternative to land based training. Over the years the Pilates method has been developed further and is used widely with extensive benefits for injury rehabilitation and fitness of athletes, dancers, general public, pregnancy and the elderly.

Core Stability - What Is It And How Is It Useful?

Pilates is widely recognised for its profound effect on improving core stability. Specific exercises focus on developing the endurance and strength of the core muscles, necessary for pain-free, efficient movement and maximal performance for all, from the office worker to the elite athlete. Did you know that pain, injury or poor posture can cause the core stabilising muscles to switch off? These muscles do not switch on again by themselves - we must consciously turn them back on again. The latest scientific evidence reveals you are less likely to have a recurrence of back pain if rehabilitation involves exercises that activate and strengthen the deep stabilising muscles.

Pilates Improves The Way You Move

Pilates focuses on correcting muscle imbalances and improving faulty movement patterns. This is achieved through a series of precise exercises, often utilising specialist equipment (reformers, cadillac / trapeze, wunda chair, barrels etc). You could have strong global muscles and still have weak stabilising muscles. This imbalance can lead to chronically tight muscles, recurrence of injuries, poor postures and decreased peak performance. Pilates can address an underlying cause of pain, recurring injury or weakness by looking at the biomechanics of the body as a whole, rather than looking only locally at the joint involved.

Pilates Improves Muscle Strenth, Flexibility and Toning

Spring loaded machines and specifically designed equipment supports your bodyweight and allows the body to relax. Specific exercises are then taught to provide either resistance (i.e. muscle strength), or assist you into a greater muscle / fascial stretch (i.e. muscle mobility and flexibility).

Pilates has also gained wide popularity amongst celebrities and models in their quest to keep on “looking fantastic”. The secret lies in the whole body toning and conditioning that Pilates offers!