The amazing team at Pumps Fitness recently invited our very own Lifers, Jenny Craig-Brown and Justin Luna to try out Pilates, and the experience was even better than they imagined. Pumps fitness offers both Pilates Reformer as well as Pilates Mat classes, so the Lifers had a lot to learn and test out.
Ian, owner and trainer at Pumps Fitness, recently schooled us a bit on the history of Pilates, where it started, what it is for and debunked a lot of common misconceptions in their recent article: The Incredible Story of Pilates: Overcoming Imprisonment Mind and Body. Because of his history, Lifer Justin Luna was the perfect fit for the Pilates Reformer class. Pilates is a fantastic practice for athletes and Luna is just that, playing soccer all through high school, college and now, in a league.
Lifer Jenny Craig-Brown is a non-competitive runner and obstacle course racer that was interested in Pilates for the healing properties because of some previous injuries. She mentioned “I have some weaknesses in my body and I am hoping that something like this will fix those and help me be a bit stronger.”
Both Lifers were in for a real treat when meeting Mary Olsen, Pumps Pilates trainer. She explained to them both that “the body all works together and when something isn’t right, the entire body can suffer.” Olsen had a past of back and spine issues that many thought could only be helped with surgery. Olsen tried Pilates as a last-ditch effort for help and said, “I told my husband that day that we can sell our house if need be, but I am continuing this.” Selling the house was not at all necessary and years later, Olsen’s issues are minimal to nonexistent, without surgery.
Luna was first to test drive the Pilates Reformer Apparatus and could see the benefits right away. “These stretches are making me work! You can feel my hips loosening right away. It feels fantastic,” Luna said through winces. Olsen trained the Lifers on different moves from a basic tendon stretch all the way to more advance moves like leg circles and the Elephant. Luna went on, “These moves make you feel muscles you never knew you had!”
Next was a lesson in the world of Mat Pilates for Jenny Craig-Brown. This class is led by Pat Twilla and is done much differently than the Pilates Reformer class. The main difference - there is no machine. Instead there are mats and sometimes light weights and small balls. Twilla mentioned that Monday was the more classic mat day and Friday included some additional work with weights. It was Friday and Craig-Brown was in for a treat.
Twilla led the class in leg circles and pelvic tilts while balancing the heels on a small ball, spine stretches, and other moves while teaching the proper breath, form and concentration. As Craig-Brown quickly realized, many of the moves are similar to the Reformer but the way they are performed are a bit different on the mat verses the apparatus. Some of the moves were new to her, but she worked through all of them and stated, “Some of these are really tough when you first try them but if you listen to the trainer, breathe properly and focus you really can do it!”
After it was all said and done, Luna and Craig-Brown were all smiles. Craig-Brown mentioned, “Pilates is so great! It is tough but not impossible and everyone was so nice! I was a newbie to Pilates and this class and all the long-time pros of the class were so helpful.”
Luna agreed and stated, “I definitely want to do more of this! I feel so much looser, and this will definitely help me on the field. I can’t wait to learn and try more.”
Pilates is perfect for athletes, nonathletes, men, women, and anyone looking to have a better body that functions properly all together. If you would like to join a Pilates class, or just want to stop in to try one, check out the Pumps Fitness schedule here or call Ian at 219-548-3480.