Pilates

What is Pilates?

This is a question I get asked at least once a week in the clinic. There are many misconceptions and perceived ideas of what this mystical form of exercise is (debunking those myths is for another day!). Lots of people have heard of Pilates and that its beneficial but that is where it ends.

In a nutshell it is a form of low impact exercise that helps to improve balance, coordination, mobility, and strength. Sound ideal for everyone? Well, it is!

I tend to split Pilates into two categories:

  • Traditional Pilates

  • Performance Pilates

Developed by Joseph Pilates, the exercises emphasize a balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness to support efficient, graceful movement.

The focus of primary focus is correct movement, quality not quantity, core stabilisation and postural correction.

One of the main benefits of Pilates, from a Therapist’s perspective, is that the technique can be successful in correcting muscle imbalances. These imbalances are caused by us overusing certain muscles whilst others are neglected and become underused.


Performance Pilates is based on the same principles but specifically designed to address areas of weakness that we commonly see as therapists in the clinic in our athletes.

It is a great tool for injury prevention and enables athletes to work on key areas they might usually neglect in regular training sessions.

Our Performance Pilates classes at are aimed at runners and cyclists and swimmers to maximise performance potential, optimise recovery from injury, reduce injury risk and help with achieving performance goals.



Is Pilates for me?

YES! I am of course a little biased, but I genuinely believe that most people would benefit from doing even a small number of Pilates based exercises.

I work with a huge variety of patients in both one to one and class settings helping people to improve their movement.

Some of these include people recovering from surgery or injury, people suffering from conditions such as osteoarthritis and long-term mobility issues and on the other end of the spectrum elite level runners & endurance athletes looking to improve performance and avoid the risk of injury.

Pilates is suitable for all ages and levels of ability, and will greatly benefit your everyday activities and sports.

"I’ve been doing Kates Pilates classes for over a year now to improve my core strength and flexibility.

It’s an excellent supplement to my cycling training and has helped improve my performance on the bike.

I’ve had a bag full of personal bests in time trials this year… thank you Kate!"

K. Thursby, Cyclist


"Performance Pilates with kate has had a positive influence upon me developing my core strength and stability for triathlon.

I feel a lot more comfortable in my bike position and have noticed a marked difference with my running posture.

I would certainly recommend this class for all endurance athletes."

N. Horn, Triathlete