At PhysioFit, Pilates is a central focus in how we deliver effective care and achieve positive results. We incorporate Pilates-based exercises into our physical therapy sessions as well as offer a variety of ongoing fitness options to help you reach your long-term goals. Pilates techniques affect the entire body. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the entire body is involved, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the core musculature. Mental imaging, focus and breathing patterns are used to reduce stress and unnecessary movement while emphasizing static or dynamic core stabilization. This includes an emphasis on coordinating abdominals, pelvic girdle and shoulder strength. The principle of strengthening while lengthening muscles is critical in providing long term benefit that carry over into improving your daily life.
The Pilates is based on a Pilates framework but incorporates current concepts in core stability from recent research. Where research has shown a more appropriate way of doing an exercise or movement, Physiofit Pilates uses that way. As further research is done in the areas of motor control, lumbopelvic control, lumbopelvic pain and core stability, Physio Pilates will continue to evolve to reflect this. Physiofit Pilates is not limited by the traditional Pilates framework, and will constantly evolve to challenge participants.
The Physiofit offers Professional,General, Pregnancy, & Post Natal, Pilates Classes. All Physiofit Pilates classes are taught by Physiotherapists to ensure a high standard of instruction, supervision and expertise. Where necessary, our Physios are able to adapt the class structure for individuals with a history of pain or pathology. It’s unusual for a Physio Pilates class not to contain someone with a history of pain, especially back pain.
Physiofit Pilates exercise focuses on control of the body. There is an emphasis on postural symmetry, breathing and core control. The muscles of the body can be crudely divided into stabilisers and movers. The stabilisers are local muscles, close to the joints which work at a low intensity but have great endurance. They don’t change joint angles much, that is when they contract they tend to stiffen or stabilise an area rather than move it. Stabilising muscles include transversus abdominis, deep fibres of multifidus and the pelvic floor. The movement muscles are more global muscles, which are further away from the joints, they work at much higher intensities and fatigue quicker. These muscles actually move the joints and you easily see their action, such as the elbow bending when biceps brachii contracts.
Both the stabilisers and movers are essential for normal function. The stabilisers provide a stable base for the movers to move from for efficient fluid movement. This is much like a crane working off a stable solid concrete base as opposed to working on a sandy beach. Much better control of the crane would be more easily attained on the concrete base than on the beach.
In Physiofit Pilates we work on the deep stabilising system of the trunk, which includes the pelvic floor, transversus abdominis, the deep fibres of multifidus and the diaphragm. From this stable base, we expand to include the more global musculature. This involves the superficial abdominal musculature, gluteals, scapula and thoracic stabilising muscles. Once this stable base has been achieved, more of the movement muscles are recruited to achieve controlled limb movement with a stable core.
**Please note, a stable core does not imply a rigid core, but rather a well controlled core. **