Client Of The Month- October 2011

I am really excited about a new thing I am starting at the studio—Client of the Month!  I am always so amazed at the effort and persistence of so many of my clients.  So often, you guys are MY inspiration.  Anyway, I wanted to come up with a little way to celebrate those who are inspiring me each month.

My inaugural choice for client of the month is Marlene P.!  She isn’t a long term client (yet) but in the months she has been coming (she started in May) I have been amazed by her persistence, enthusiasm and progress!  One of the things that makes Marlene’s story so interesting and impressive is that she came to Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit after about 2 ½ years of inactivity.  Marlene had been recuperating from a serious illness and it took that long for her to recover. She felt like after such a long period of not exercising, that her muscles had really started to atrophy.  She knew it was time to start some sort of exercise program, but she also knew she needed something that could safely get her body healthy again.  She had been through a lot and she didn’t want to overdo it.  She also knew her core was where she wanted to focus.

She found our studio through one of the promotions running at that time, and told me she instantly felt welcomed.  She felt like we all made sure to take her personal situation into account and make sure that the program she started was in her best interest.  She started out slow, but is now doing 2 group reformer classes every week.  I am proud to say that she says one of her favorite things about our studio is the personal attention she gets, even in the group classes.  She says she feels the instructors really care about what they are doing and it makes her more enthusiastic because of our enthusiasm.    She also said she appreciates that we are very careful with her (there are times when I have had to tell her to wait, that she wasn’t ready for a particular exercise), but that we all still push her to the extent of her ability—but in a safe and healthy way.  To me, that is one of the greatest accomplishments—for clients to feel our dedication and enthusiasm in the work we do. That, and seeing the amazing progress in clients like Marlene.

I asked Marlene what her goals were when she started and she said, she wanted to strengthen her core and body, but she also just wanted to “feel better.”  And now she tells me that she feels absolutely wonderful.  She feels that we have met and exceeded her goals.  I am so proud of her and so proud of my instructors too.  Hopefully reading Marlene’s story gets you motivated to start or expand your exercise repertoire.  I know she inspires me every time I train her.  And if you want some of the personalized attention that Marlene has gotten, check out our online schedule or call us at 317/281-6762. 

Congratulations Marlene!

Student Turns Instructor!

Meet Margaret!

So I was so excited when one of my own clients, Margaret, started hinting around that she was interested in becoming a certified Pilates instructor.  One of the reasons I am so excited about it is because Margaret started training here at Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit just a little over a year ago  and is one of those people who always thought she hated to exercise (I have several clients like that—you know who you are!).  How cool is that that she found us, decided to give Pilates a try, and now wants to train to become an instructor herself because she loves it so much?

Because she was turning 50, Margaret decided she needed to find something to keep her body moving that she actually didn’t hate.  She has told me that she has tried lots of other types of exercise—the usual stuff, running, joining gyms, and just never felt the support and encouragement that she finds working out here.  She also loves the fact that Pilates gives you an all-over entire body (and mind) work out and is a great exercise for everyone, no matter what your body size or type.  It is this passion that has inspired her to want to pay that new found love of exercise forward.  So once she had thought about doing it, she and I chatted and I told her about a great studio in Cincinnati, Body Mind Balance, that trains instructors in Power Pilates.  Anyone can become some sort of Pilates trainer, but Power Pilates is a very thorough training in classic Pilates with innovation and is a place where even I, and several of my other trainers, have continued our Pilates education.  I am excited to say that recently Margaret had her first instructor training session in Power Pilates Beginning Mat and passed!  I couldn’t be more proud.  Even when she had her doubts about it throughout the weekend session, she and I sent text messages back and forth and I reassured her.  I knew she could do it and she did!

I am also proud to say that she has told me that one of the reasons she has continued with her own personal growth in Pilates is because of how welcoming and friendly she has felt our studio is.  She told me how much she immediately liked it because the instructors are always positive (while still giving correction of course).  She has also become friends with other students, and just feels that the Pilates experience at 15 to Fit is so much more encouraging and helpful than many other exercise atmospheres.  She told me when she belonged to a local gym, they only ever told her what she was doing wrong, and that made her dread going in at all.  Look at her now, wanting to share her newly discovered love of Pilates with others.  She was also excited to see that her training sessions in Cincinnati were also very positive and encouraging —even when she had to take what was basically a written anatomy test!  I told you, this is a serious training program!

Margaret told me that if someone had told her a year ago she would be taking any kind of training class in any form of exercise she would have told them, “you are out of your freakin’ mind!”  So just think, if she can come this far in such a short period of time in her desire to exercise, all you need to do is get in here and take a class or two.  The first step is often the hardest, but once you’re here, you never know, I may just turn you into the next Pilates instructor in Indy!  Check out our online schedule or call us at 317/281-6762. 

Top 5 Reasons to Try OUR Studio!

Top 5

1. Our trainers at Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit are highly trained in various Pilates methods and are constantly seeking to improve their knowledge and experience.  Whenever you try a new Pilates studio, you should ask about the instructors’ training, as many take a very short course before training clients.  I have been a fitness trainer for many years and have a degree in Exercise Science and Fitness from Ball State Universaity.  My other instructors are highly trained as well.  You need a trainer that can work with you, and any limitations you may have, to safely work out and boost your fitness level.  I am excited that one of my current clients has decided to start learning to become a trainer—I will be telling you all about her in an upcoming post.

2. We offer flexible scheduling and many different classes and work hard to make them fit into your schedule.  You can also schedule private, or semi-private sessions that are tailor made for your personal schedule.  We currently offer yoga classes, Piloxing classes, Zumba classes, group equipment classes utilizing the various pieces of equipment in the studio, Ballet barre classes as well as mat Pilates classes.  There is going to be something to fit your mood and your schedule and get yourself into shape!

3. All our classes are limited in size so that you are guaranteed personalized attention from our well-trained instructors.  We do not have huge mat classes that are so big your instructor can barely see you across the room.  Whether you are in a private session or a group equipment class, you will get individualized attention from our trainers.  You are not going to get that at a gym.

4. Our studio is very centrally located in central Indianapolis no matter what part of town you live in.  We are just off Binford Boulevard on 65^th Street.  If you live North, and commute downtown, we are right on your way and offer many classes at convenient hours both before and after work hours.  We also have plenty of free parking available right in front of our studio.  We have hours as early as 6 am for certain classes and sessions and many in the evening as well.  We also offer classes on Saturdays.

5. We also have a ton of fun here in the studio.  It will be a rare occasion will you won’t laugh during your session as well.  We love getting to know our clients personally and many of them have become friends with each other as well.  We work hard, but we also have a great time doing it.  It isn’t everywhere that you will find such fun and friendly trainers.

We at Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit would love to meet you and talk about your fitness goals.  We are happy to help figure out what will best fit in with your schedule as well.  Check out our online schedule or call us at 317/281-6762. 

Pilates and Football

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If you know me, you know how adamant I am that Pilates is not just for women, and is such a great exercise for men as well—but you KNOW I am serious when I tell you about how Pilates can benefit football players!

Not only do we here at Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit train the entire Cathedral High School football players in the art of Pilates, but we have also trained a few other current and former professional athletes, including several former football players.   I recently spoke at the NFL Alumni Association-Indianapolis Chapter and tell a bunch of former players just how this kind of exercise could be beneficial to them and could benefit their quality of life.

Football players often focus only on increasing their brute strength by lifting weights and similar kinds of training.  Pilates, while it may seem foreign to such big guys, is an amazing complementary exercise practice to all that muscle building.  Pilates focuses on the core, as well as all the muscles throughout the body which can add a competitive advantage to a player who has been spending most of their time with heavy weight lifting. That will strengthen those large muscle groups, and Pilates will get to all those deep, often smaller, muscle groups.  And we will surely work your legs, glutes and arms as well to get you faster and more flexible.  More flexibility and paying attention to all those deep connecting muscles will also help you prevent injury and/or stay toned whether you are a current or retired player.

Pilates strengthens the core, an area that many football players may not focus a lot on—and a strong core can help prevent injuries to the back.  Actually, the strengthening and increased flexibility that comes from Pilates is going to help prevent all kinds of injuries.  I have had clients who have started Pilates with things like constant knee pain who now tell me they no longer feel any pain in that area since continuing a consistent Pilates practice.  And check out this USA Today article from a few years ago discussing the benefits of Pilates for all types of athletes, as well as in particular, a football player discussing how Pilates has helped him remain injury free and feeling better in general, both after games and practices. 

Here’s a few of the current athletes using Pilates:

LeBron James

Kobe Bryant

Tiger Woods

Jason Kidd

Chris Simms

DeMarcus Ware

Eddie Cheever

Danny Granger

Curt Schilling

Ruben Brown

And those are just a few of the individual athletes—many teams incorporate Pilates into their workouts routinely now.

So all you football players out there, don’t think Pilates is too girly for you—I have several football player clients (not to mention the whole Cathedral team) who would tell you while Pilates is very different, it certainly kicks your butt too! It is gentler than many form of exercise, but is by no means easy.  And I even have a special machine designed for larger/taller clients which I have utilized extensively in training my athletes.  You ought to come check it out too!  Contact us at Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit and see what it is all about!

Pilates for Brides (and Grooms!)

Getting married?  Instead of doing that whole, “I know I can lose ten pounds before the wedding if I just stop eating chips/bread/carbs/sugar” or whatever, think about starting a series of Pilates classes or sessions before the wedding at Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit.  Going sleeveless? Think of how we can help transform those arms and shoulders!  Especially if you still have a few months, we can help you work on any trouble spots that are bugging you.

Another cool thing about starting a Pilates practice before your wedding?    You can improve so many other things that maybe you aren’t thinking about but that can make your special day even that much more special.  Picture yourself walking down the aisle—you don’t want to be walking down with bad posture!  Pilates can make a real impact on that. I have several clients who have told me that they have been complimented about their good posture after several Pilates sessions.

And if you are engaged now, I am sure you already know about the stress that can come along with the planning and preparation of the wedding—not to mention I am sure there will be a bit of stress and nerves on that special day.  Pilates’ focus on breathing and awareness of our breath and its connection to our bodies and minds will not only help center you during your practice, but can help you on the big day as well.

And if you want to feel “sleek, sexy and powerful,” don’t forget about our awesome Piloxing classes that we have started.  What a great way to bring out all those attributes as well—and hey, they couldn’t hurt for the honeymoon either!

And hey future grooms, you know we want to help you get into shape too! Pilates isn't just for the ladies and we have lots of clients who are men as well. Pilates is for everyone!  And all these same suggestions apply to you as well (ok, well maybe you won't be going sleeveless, but you get my point).

So if you are looking for a way to sculpt those muscles before your wedding day (and possibly drop a few pounds too), and you want to be at your best by feeling great and looking amazing, contact us at Indianapolis Pilates by 15 to Fit to talk to one our certified trainers about what program might work the best for you.  Put this part of your wedding planning into our hands. We will take great care of you and get you ready for that once in a lifetime day!




Check us out at our booth at the Diva Bride Bridal Show on July 24th!

 

10 Reasons to Try Pilates

 

1. Lose Inches From Your Body: Pilates is a great way to firm up every part of your body, and lose inches.

2. Improve Your Posture. Remember your parents telling you to stand up straight?  Pilates will help you do this naturally. 

3. Improve Your Flexibility.  This is a key factor as we age, but is important no matter what your age.  I have had very physically active clients who came in tighter than people who never work out at all. Pilates can dramatically improve your flexibility and range of motion.

4. Help prevent Osteoporosis.  Resistance training is great for strengthening the body and preventing osteoporosis.

5. Improve Your Mental Health: With the Pilates' focus on breathing throughout exercise, it helps you focus on the present moment which can help improve your mental health.

6. Minimize Back Pain.  You may have heard before that having a strong core will help your back immensely.  Many people with chronic back pain can be helped with a regular Pilates practice.

7. Pilates is the perfect exercise for everyone.  It is great for men, women, young and old and people of all physical ability.  All exercises can, and will be tailored to your physical fitness.

8. Moms--Fix that Baby Belly.  Many women who have had babies suffer from what is known as diastasis, which is separation of abdominal muscles.  Our Pilates instructors are trained in ways to heal that problem and therefore minimize that "baby belly."

9. Personalized Attention from Trainers:  Pilates is one of the few exercise programs, even with group classes, in which you are constantly getting the attention of highly trained Pilates instructors.  You aren't going to get this at the gym.

10. Improve Your Sporting Activities.  Pilates is great to help improve your other physical activities for all the reasons above.  Check out my posts specifically on Skiing and Golf.  And if you have questions about another sport, please let me know.

Pilates and Golf

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I love the hot weather and summer—seriously it is my favorite time of year.  The heat doesn’t bother me a bit and I love all the outdoor activities you can participate in—tennis, swimming, biking and of course, golf.  I have several clients are big golfers and have seen the real benefit of Pilates on their golf game. 

So there are a couple reasons why Pilates is so great for golf.  First, and the one we always go back to in Pilates, is a strong core, or center (if you want to know more about the core, check out my earlier post here.)  Pilates exercises focus on this core, to strengthen the deep abdominal muscles.  If you core is strong, you will have more force to hit those power shots in golf.

Also, if you think about the game of golf, because everyone who plays always hits the ball from the same side, it can become easy to have little “tweaks” in muscles, and for the body to become imbalanced.  Pilates does an amazing job at getting the spine, and the entire body into alignment.  We always evenly work each side of the body, and it becomes apparent not just to the trainers, but to you yourself, as you continue to work on your Pilates practice, where you are weak, and what side of your body is stronger.  Your personal body awareness increases, and we are able to focus where it is necessary to bring that balance back. 

As I have also discussed before, Pilates is an amazing practice to increase flexibility.  As your muscles and body become more flexible, just think how that will help your golf swing.  If you are stiff in your shoulders or back, that is going to hinder how well you can hit the ball.  If you muscles are flexible and strong, you are going to improve your game immensely.

Finally, because a big part of Pilates practice is mental, Pilates will also help your focus by teaching you to concentrate on your breath in relation to your body.  Having this intense focus will also certainly help your golf swing by allowing you to direct your energy on the swing and not get distracted or lose your concentration.

As a personal note, I have several clients who have told me how much their golf games have improved—they were psyched and I am always happy when my clients can see their progress in other places in their life.  If you are a golfer and would like to know how to direct your Pilates practice toward improving your golf game, be sure and let me know.