BY SANDY GARDNER, MERRITHEW HEALTH & FITNESS™

There is something to be said about working out in a group: it’s a fun and social experience where participants feel supported in meeting their fitness goals. The experience that your facility offers needs to be unique, giving your clients a workout and environment that they cannot get anywhere else.

At-home workouts or sessions with a personal trainer are also key components of a well-rounded fitness program, but they do not compare to the dynamic pace of a group class. With the occasional air of competition, each class member works to perform the exercises to their best ability — typically pushing themselves more than they would on an individual basis.

It’s this type of “feel good” experience that has made group exercise classes an overwhelmingly popular fitness choice over the years. The cost per class goes down for each participant, while the profits increase for the fitness facility. It’s a win, win situation!

PILATES — Not a Passing Trend!The array of programming available for fitness facilities is larger than ever. In an effort to retain members, many facilities have expanded their group fitness offerings. The trendy programs may come and go, but Pilates has proven that it’s here to stay.

The ultimate mind-body experience, Pilates is, without a doubt, an exercise with history. Invented in the early 1920s by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates method of exercise has continued to evolve. STOTT PILATES® is a contemporary approach, including modern principles of exercise science and rehabilitation — making it one of the safest and most effective methods available.

With a focus on breathing, balance, alignment, body awareness, movement and core strength, Pilates is ideal for every type of exerciser — from the deconditioned to the elite athlete. The compelling draw to Pilates is not because of its legacy; but rather the continued innovation of equipment and programming that keep clients coming back for more.

Reform your Pilates Group ClassReformers are the leading equipment choice for Pilates group classes. If you’re used to standard gym equipment, the Pilates Reformer may be a new apparatus to challenge you, both mentally and physically.

An amazing piece of equipment, the Pilates Reformer uses spring resistance, with a moving carriage and rope system. In order to meet client demand, leading Pilates equipment manufacturers have evolved the basic Reformer into a multi-planar functional fitness machine for full-body conditioning. The Reformer complements other fitness equipment; training the core, while isolating and building specific muscles, including smaller stabilizing muscles around the joints, providing an effective full-body workout.

In a Pilates group class, each client sets their Reformer to their own personal settings, based on height and comfort. These are usually determined in an introductory session, where instructors orient new clients with Reformer basics before entering the class. After a brief overview of the Reformer, clients are ready to join group classes and often become dedicated Reformer users for life. Many devoted clients have expressed that the machine is more than just a platform for contemporary mind-body exercise, their bodies have drastically changed, and that the tranquil gliding sensation of the carriage encourages concentration and mental focus before and after their workout.

Reformers are ideal for the group class environment — whether lying, standing or kneeling on the machine — as clients are contained within their own personal space and can easily transition from one exercise to another, without delaying the class or interrupting another participant’s workout. Because the machine is user-friendly, clients can easily follow the instructor’s cues and commands, without straining to listen or pausing to understand instructions.

In a group class environment, instructors can add interest to their programming simply by incorporating some new accessories. Accessories like the Mini Stability Ball™, Flex Bands™, Mini Handweights, or Fitness Circles® can add diversity and challenge to the workout. For a beginner level class, these additions can also help to modify the original exercise, enabling the class participants to perform without unnecessary tension or strain.

Some things are better in a group!

Photography © Merrithew Corporation

V2 Max™ Reformer Merrithew Health & Fitness

If your facility does not have a dedicated space for Reformers, many manufacturers offer stackable units, or Reformers that stand on end for storage. The formula is easy and there’s no thinking required. Simply by offering Pilates group classes with the best equipment, you can attract and retain clients like never before.

BARRE CLASSES — Beyond Ballet It’s no secret that a barre workout can effectively sculpt the body and deliver results. Since 2010, barre workouts have been expanding along the fitness landscape, and this workout style shows no signs of slowing down.

Equipment options include wall-mounted barres, free-standing barres, or a combination of both. The Parallel Stability Barre™ is a solid, free-standing option that allows for rigorous, multi-faced exercises, and can easily be moved out of the way when not in use. Classes can begin small and expand as word spreads.

Ensure that your instructors are equipped to keep the class motivated and safe, through high-caliber training like the Total Barre™ program. Total Barre emphasizes the correct biomechanics of movement, combined with the power of music to increase strength, flexibility, stamina and dynamic stability. It is a program geared for everyone — no dance experience required! From the warm-up to the cool down, Total Barre keeps mind-body top of mind while still being a fun, energetic workout.

If you haven’t already, consider adding group barre classes to your schedule. This fun and motivational workout is a cost-effective and growing trend that can attract new clients and drive revenue.

THE HALO® TRAINER — The Perfect Companion to the Stability BallStability Balls™ are a staple in fitness facilities and can be easily incorporated into challenging group classes. But, the level of stability required to safely perform planks and other exercises can prove challenging for some participants.

Suitable for fitness facilities, home gyms, Pilates studios and physical therapy clinics, the Halo® Trainer can be used on its own or in combination with popular exercise equipment such as the Stability Ball. This friction-fitting tool adapts easily to any 65cm Stability Ball, providing a stable support platform. It allows the trainer or user to progress or regress exercises, adapting to various levels and challenging all clients in dynamic group classes.

The Halo Trainer integrates both the upper and lower body, incorporating strength work, muscle endurance, proprioception and stabilization into fresh new workout.

The Future of FitnessSmall and large group training continues to be a mainstay on the schedules of fitness facilities, community centers, and even boutique exercise studios. The affordability, convenience and camaraderie of group classes make them especially appealing to fitness enthusiasts, and the breadth of programming available makes them attractive to group-focused instructors.

Born out of the intelligence and innovation of STOTT PILATES, comes the start of a revolution in fitness — a change to the way we view and see mind-body exercise, and the impact it can have on the lives of our clients. It’s a new approach to mindful movement, based on decades of exercise science, that can train the elite athlete, help a marathon runner cross the finish the line, or make getting out of bed easier in the morning, all without harming the body, but still delivering maximum results.

Now available at Dubai’s Quirkiest Sports Store

800SPORT®

+971 4 346 7751 | derek.pahate@800sport.ae | www.800sport.ae

STOTT PILATES® is a premier brand of Merrithew Health & Fitness™

Sandy Gardner is the Vice President of Sales & Customer Service for Merrithew Health & Fitness™.

Photography © Merrithew Corporation

Photography © Merrithew Corporation