Group Classes

Developing a sports persons core – the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine – makes sports people more agile, helps prevent injury and increases sporting performance.

From weekend warriors to elite professionals, athletes looking for a competitive edge are discovering that the right form of Pilates can help you to:

• Hit the ball farther
• Run faster
• Jump higher
• Correct muscle imbalances
• Improve all sporting performance
• Prevent injury

Pilates builds a strong core, increases strength and flexibility simultaneously, and improves posture, stability and alignment. It also emphasizes complete concentration on smooth, flowing movement, and efficient breathing. You become acutely aware of how your body feels, where it is in space, and how best to control its movement to prevent injury and improve performance. At Remedy we can teach you how to improv specific to your sport with our Sports Programming helping to rehabilitate an injury, prevent injuries, work on technique to avoid over use injuries and improve overall performance.

At Remedy we provide Pilates for all ages and abilities but it is generally our seniors, aged 55 plus, that realise they want to enjoy the rest of their years without pain and discomforts. I propose that this is the wisdom that comes with life experience! Our eldest member is 84 at present. However, with our aging population, and more people becoming educated about where to go to look after their health, I know we will have more members beyond this age enjoying a pro-active lifestyle making activities of daily living easier and improving health and wellness.

How does Pilates help bone health?

• Increases strength and muscle mass, facilitating the support of bones and joints
• Improves balance and movement patterns, which can help prevent falls that might result in fractured bone
• Improves breathing patterns, which can help ribcage mobility, posture and relaxation
• Improves flexibility and posture, which can help keep the bones in alignment and prevent muscle and nerve injury leading to pain

The importance of weight-bearing exercise that loads and strengthens bone cannot be underestimated. We must have strong bones that can bear our weight and allow us mobility. With so many safer dynamics playing into exercise for Osteoporosis, one really needs the education on what to do when exercising for bone health.

At Remedy our Pilates exercises are modified by our teachers to make sure all exercises are safe for members with Osteoporosis and Osteopenia, as some of the traditional Pilates exercises are contraindicated. Certain movements need to be avoided such as sudden or abrupt movements, heavy lifting or flexion or extension with rotation. Indicated exercises for Osteoporosis are working in a neutral spine, spinal extension exercises, balance and proprioception and dynamic loading. Dynamic loading is created by weight bearing or muscular contraction. Traditional Pilates will not promote enough weight bearing to build bone density. Therefore, we work in standing, standing on one leg, four point kneeling, plank positions and squatting as well as with equipment and props that provide this resistance safely.

Pilates at Remedy is a useful form of low impact exercise for people with both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatological conditions.

Although you may have been told you have irreversible  “wear and tear” or inflammation in your joints, or may even be waiting orthopaedic  surgery, exercise is always of benefit at every stage of the condition. You can’t reverse your condition but you can be pro-active and help ease your symptoms. At Remedy we work with clients of all levels of strength and fitness. We work with each individual to tailor the exercises to meet individual needs and improve symptoms. As the body gets used to doing more, then it becomes stronger. The type of exercises we recommend will depend on which joints are affected and how severe your condition is.

Benefits of Pilates for Arthritis:

• Reduces your joint pain and stiffness
• Strengthens the muscles, ligaments and cartilage around your joints
• Helps you maintain bone strength and quality
• Increases your joint range of motion and joint mobility
• Improves your balance
• Gives you more strength and energy to get through the day, or partake in walking or sport
• Makes it easier to get a good night’s sleep
• Makes you feel better about yourself and improves your sense of well-being
• Improves your ability to manage stress
• Provides you with tools and knowledge of exercises which help in the management of your symptoms

Neurological disorders steal the body of muscle control. Pilates is all about controlled movements, it can be extremely beneficial for counteracting symptoms of a neurological disease. Pilates focuses on core muscles, muscles in the centre of the body like deep abdominals and muscles around the spine. These muscles are important for overall stability and balance, which is a common problem for those living with a neurological condition.

Pilates is recommended for Neurological Conditions particularly for: 

• Stroke
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinsons’ Disease

Why Pilates? 

• Improves your balance and movement patterns, which can help prevent falls that might result in fractured bone
• Gives you more strength and energy to get through the day, or partake in walking or sport
• Makes it easier to get a good night’s sleep
• Improves your ability to manage stress and boosts energy
• Provides you with tools and knowledge of exercises which help in the management of your symptoms
• Builds body strength
• Teaches body awareness
• Promotes good posture
• Improves muscle elasticity and joint mobility
• Emphasises proper breathing and flowing movements.
• Makes you feel better about yourself and improves your sense of well-being

Pilates is particularly beneficial form of exercise to develop spinal control, strength and correct movement patterns. Pilates is a widely used rehabilitation tool amongst Physiotherapists to reduce pain and improve activities of daily living and function. We have considerable experience dealing with whiplash, disc and nerve problems of the neck and spine, surgical rehabilitation and chronic pain conditions.

At Remedy we provide both Physiotherapy and Pilates under one roof and together have developed a clinical “Back Care” management programme. Prior to joining our classes, each client is taken through a Pre Class Consultation by one of our Pilates teachers so that we are fully aware of your needs and level of ability.

Class numbers are kept small to ensure close supervision and modification of exercise as necessary.  The exercises are slow, gentle and controlled with precision of movement the key to good posture and a healthy back.   Attending our classes means that you will also be gaining the benefit of our clinical experience as we can explain just why some exercise techniques are better and safer than others. Our teachers will modify all exercises to accommodate your limitations, continually challenge you within your range, and monitor your improvements. You may also embark on our Physio Pilates Programme if necessary.

Remember you do not have to suffer with back pain for the rest of your life, there is always something you can do to help you feel better. It can be very frustrating for us as exercise professionals to hear that someone has been told by the medical profession to ‘live with it’ or ‘accept it is part of your age’. We have many young and older clients who have been through this disheartening process, only to realise when meeting with us that we can give the advice and education needed to help ease symptoms with the right exercise, taught by the right professionals.

It is important to note that you can’t reverse degeneration, as we are all degenerating the way grey hair and loose teeth get us, but you can help improve symptoms leading to a more enjoyable pro-active lifestyle.  Please do get in touch with any questions regarding a back issue.

If you are post-surgery or need to prepare for surgery, are recovering from an illness or serious injury, or are managing a chronic condition like MS,Parkinsons‘ or Cancer, Pilates at Remedy can help you. We will get to know you and your lifestyle when you attend our Pre Class Consultation, and then together we can make an informed decision if you would like to continue with private lessons or join our Stepping Stones. If you have any particular questions or specific needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

When you’re looking how to tone your body effectively and efficiently, Pilates is  a one stop method to work on weight-loss, fitness and body tone while correcting posture and ensuring that you don’t get injured while working towards your goal.  Pilates at Remedy is a wonderful training method that is good for people of all fitness levels and abilities.

Pilates and Extraordinary Effects on the Body:

• Pilates changes the shape of your body – clothes fit differently
• Pilates tightens your waistline and core and lifts the backside
• Pilates builds muscle without bulk and improves posture – makes you feel taller and slimmer
• Pilates tones the full body as it is a functional exercise targeting all areas together
• Pilates woks on toning muscle. Toned muscle in return burns more calories than fatty tissue. With more toned muscle overall metabolism increases and more calories are burned, even when you are not exercising! For more calorie burning check out our Cardio Pilates class.

Pilates may sound very ballerina like but Joseph Pilates, inventor of the Pilates method was a serious alpha male.  He trained military personnel and kept the German secret police fit. He also spent most of his life teaching in his underpants as he as he felt better with the air on his skin!

Pilates training is highly relevant for men’s fitness and strength from desk bound to builders, to rehabilitating an injury to sportsmen, it really does benefit all.  It is commonly used as a tool to relieve back ache by improving posture, sorting muscle imbalance and building core strength.

The exercises specifically target deeper postural muscles to help shoulder problems, back and abdominal strength, create flexibility in hips and hamstrings, as well as improving ankle and knee stability. All while developing a toned, fit appearance.

Top sportsmen all over the world like tennis pro Andy Murray are well versed in the benefits of Pilates, many for whom classes are compulsory to help prevent injury. The All Blacks have been doing Pilates since the Irish Rugby Team were in their youth. Now they, along with the Leinster Rugby team, as well as any sports person wanting to get a cut above the rest are Pilates fanatics.

All sports are very different on the court or field, but all participants have one desire in common; to prevent or recover from injury and increase efficient and effective movement to improve performance.

Pilates at Remedy can help put the power behind your swing, the speed in your sprint and the length in your hamstrings. It is just as useful for the general population as it is for those wanting to improve sporting performance.  It is a perfect exercise class for those that want to improve fitness and function or for those with injuries or physical limitations.

At Remedy we use own your body weight, medicine balls and other equipment, as well as Pilates machines to strengthen and/or support and challenge your body in all planes of movement.

We welcome men in all of our classes. We also run a Men’s only class.

Women’s health refers to health issues specific to the female anatomy.

The pelvic floor muscles are the foundation for the core of the body. They help stabilize the pelvis, and they support the organs of the lower abdominal cavity, like the bladder and uterus. 1 in 3 women suffer from pelvic floor problems, 70% improve with continuous and specialised exercise. It is also important to note that 50% of those performing pelvic floor exercises are not doing them correctly.

Childbirth, chronic coughing, ageing, and inactivity are among the causes of weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles. A weak pelvic floor can lead to problems like incontinence, diminished sexual enjoyment, and a dropping of the organs into the pelvic muscles which is the case with problems like prolapsed uterus or bladder.

Why Pilates?

Pilates is excellent exercise for strengthening the pelvic floor and can minimise the risk of pelvic floor injury. In Pilates, the pelvic floor muscles are used in their role as natural muscular support for movement. This is a firm and sustained engagement of the muscles where one is pulling both the front and back of the pelvic floor in and up as part of an exercise, where abdominal muscles as well as other muscles are also involved.

Why should I exercise my pelvic floor muscles?

• To help improve back and pelvic pain as core support
• To prevent stress incontinence, that is, the inability to control the movements of the bowel, bladder or both when those muscles are put under strain e.g. in the form of coughing, sneezing, running, jumping, skipping and so on
• To help prevent prolapse of the pelvic floor or organs such as the womb or bladder
• To improve your sex life if desired after child birth and surgery

Pilates is great for working on strength and flexibility helping to keep you more comfortable with good posture while pregnant. It is one of the few exercises that you can do safely helping with back and pelvic issues and to keep up a level of fitness during and after pregnancy.  Find out how to strengthen your pelvic floor and core muscles, improve your posture and still have time out for yourself to relax.

Benefits of Pregnancy and Post Natal Pilates at Remedy: 

• Reduces back and pelvic pain
• Promotes comfort and reduces swelling
• Strengthens pelvic floor & core muscles
• Maintains a healthy weight
• Time out to relax
• Improves posture
• Repair of the Diastasis Recti
• Helps mental and physical preparation
• Aids early recovery and return to pre-pregnancy shape
• Gain strength for lifting and carrying your baby

In the interest of your own health and safety please check in with your GP or consultant and provide a letter to state that you are fit for exercise before joining a class at Remedy. This is appreciated and ensures us that you are ready to begin a health, wellness and fitness programme.