“I originally started Pilates due to having two herniated discs in my back and I was in chronic pain. I joined Pilates + Gisborne when they opened and I have never looked back! I was booked in for back surgery as I had bad nerve pain down both hips and legs but with the help of some amazing instructors and attending sessions regularly, I strengthened my core, became a lot fitter and I am also now in tune with my body! Taking the first steps to walk in the door to give it a go was really difficult and I was scared the instructors would not understand my injuries and things may go further downhill.
I am a mature aged member but have never felt out of place and always found the instructors to be very encouraging. I have so much more energy, flexibility and I am free from leg pain. My body is toned, particularly my tummy and I feel so much better wearing my clothes. My mental health is so much better. I have even tried a Studio Two class and I am looking forward to doing more of those from now on and not just sticking to Reformer classes! I have met some great people and look forward to having a chat and I am very happy to be a member of the Pilates + Community!”
— Kaye, Gisborne Studio Member
“As a result of playing footy over the years, I had some lower back issues that affected my sciatic nerve. The issue would flare up repeatedly over the years and my wife suggested I try Pilates. I joined Pilates + Bendigo hoping the Reformer Pilates classes would help to strengthen and stretch my core as well as aid in my recovery.
I attend the studio regularly each week and have noticed that I have lost weight, become stronger and my body is getting back into better shape. The combination of Reformer classes as well as the new Cardio classes is great. Reformer helps me maintain my flexibility and core strength to avoid any injuries and the cardio classes are what I used to do back before I hurt my back, so I love that I am back doing cardio classes again without injuries! If I had known about Pilates whilst I was still playing footy and had actually tried it, I think I would still be playing footy now!”
— Luke, Bendigo Studio Member
“I had heard that Pilates was a great low impact option of keeping fit whilst pregnant, so I joined Pilates + Bendigo when I was 21 weeks pregnant. I was really worried I would be a burden to the instructors as there were still some limitations such as lying flat on my back and abdominal exercises, and I attended the normal Reformer Pilates group fitness classes. However, it turns out I didn’t need to worry as the instructors were always ready with pregnancy safe modifications for me and I was never left behind the rest of the class with nothing to do. Even though I used to cringe at doing upper body exercises, I certainly appreciated the strength when bubs arrived and weighed in at 4.1kgs! I was able to continue attending classes right up until 38 weeks and then bubs arrived just 17 days later!
I attend the studio regularly and was strictly a reformer girl whilst pregnant. Now that I am able to, I have participated in all of the different classes and I am LOVING the new cardio room as it’s the type of exercise I used to do before I fell pregnant! I am happier when I am exercising so it was a great feeling to continue throughout the pregnancy and my midwife was very happy that I kept up Pilates for so long throughout the pregnancy! Exercise also does wonders for my mental health, and I enjoy attending the studio as it is my “me time”!”
— Nicole, Bendigo Studio Member
“I was always on the look out with my mum to get into Pilates and I wanted to get back into shape wince having my beautiful baby girl. I had a year away from exercise which really broken down my confidence and fitness levels. I joined Pilates + Bendigo when they opened and it has really given me something to look forward to and I am feeling more like myself again.
As anyone with a baby would know, it’s always on the go from dusk until dawn. It’s great to be able to go to Pilates, get out of the house and enjoy life again. I like the variety of classes at Pilates + and I attend Reformer, Jump Reformer, Boxing, Yoga, Barre and Cardio Pilates.”
— Jess, Bendigo Studio Member
“ I am a bit of an exercise fanatic and love to go walking with my dogs, ride my bike to work and have a huge garden to look after. As an old chook, I wanted to tone up and try to retain what muscle I had left which will hopefully keep me out of a nursing home for a few more years. I had a few issues with my knees and had spent months at a physio with no results. I joined Pilates + Bendigo after my old gym closed and I love the variety of classes available and how the instructors make everything so enjoyable. I found the arm exercises to be very difficult when I started and standing on the Reformer was also very tricky.
Since starting, I have found that I can garden for longer without getting a sore back. My knees have improved to the extent that I am now able to kneel on the floor with my granddaughter. I feel stronger, fitter and happier and have found a whole new community at the studio and I look forward to coming each day.”
— Jenn, Bendigo Studio Member
“I needed something to keep active as I work in customer service and day to day, I wasn’t moving enough. When I joined Pilates + Gisborne, it took me a while to get the hang of listening to the instructors cueing and activating smaller muscle groups, I found it a little difficult. I was committed to giving it a proper go and gave myself a regular schedule to follow so that I could get results.
I attend all the different class types and I have found that I am more flexible than I used to be and can touch my toes. My lower back is not as sore as what it used to be and I have a lot more core strength!”
— Nicholas, Gisborne Studio Member