One potential barrier for people
starting a Reformer Pilates
practice is the perception that
the machine itself looks like
a more challenging piece of
equipment. But that’s not the
case, says Neil Dimmock, Head
of Fitness at Ten Health and
Fitness.
Ten Health and Fitness has nine
studios across London, offering
award-winning Reformer Pilates
classes as well as high-quality
mat-based Pilates, yoga and
HIIT sessions. What makes
Ten different, says Neil, is that
its trainers focus on form,
posture and correct alignment
throughout exercise. It’s not
about exercise intensity. It’s
about quality of movement.
“
30
FM
Like
anything,
you get out
of it what
you put in.”
“The Reformer is designed to aid
particular exercises. It is used
for resistance and can actually
support certain movements,”
he says. “And, from a teaching
perspective, there are more
landmarks with a Reformer.
It makes exercises easier to
communicate from a trainer to
a client. It’s easier for people to
feel where the exercise is meant
to be working.”
“Generally speaking, a trainer
or physio will use Pilates to
focus on the intrinsic muscles,
and then work outwards,”
says Neil. “Often, larger more
dominant muscles take over,
especially with people who
enjoy other forms of fitness
like running or cycling. They
neglect their smaller stabiliser
muscles creating imbalance
and weakness and this is where
injury can happen. Pilates can
be a preventative measure.” car accident that left her
with back and pelvic injuries.
The challenges she faced
during her recovery revealed
a potential gap in the market
for an integrated end-to-end
service combining fitness with
rehabilitation.
Ten Health and Fitness is the
result of a happy accident –
quite literally. Founder Joanne
Mathews was inspired to
create Ten following a serious It’s important to remember
however, that Pilates is not
about quick wins. “Like
anything, you get out of it, what
you put in,” says Neil. “Pilates
www.exerciseregister.org
During her recovery, she also
learned first-hand the benefits
of a regular Pilates programme,
a form of exercise that was
essential in her ongoing
rehabilitation.