Oxfordshire Pilates for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced
Our group Pilates classes are friendly and non competitive sessions. Group classes pop up in venues across Oxford each week, in blocks of 6-8. These make up lots of little courses that run throughout the year.
All of our classes are socially distanced and make use of venue ventilation. Find out more about COVID security in our classes
Most of our sessions are suitable for all abilities. Our highly qualified clinical team build the course programme around the individuals in the class. So, whichever class you join you can be sure of a tailored approach and expert instruction
“It was lovely to find group with such a knowledgeable and supportive instructor. Having 1:1 time each session is really good”
“Lauren got to know me. She understood me and I felt confident exercising with her. My pelvic pain improved loads!”
“Classes with Lauren have been my little calm bubble! I have learnt so much about how my body works. Better than NCT!”
“I haven’t ever done Pilates before. I thought it was for yummy mummys! But Lauren was recommended and I thought it worth a try to help my back. I am glad I did, everyone was normal, just like me!”
Pop up Pilates for All: Mixed ability Pilates – Beginners to Intermediate
“10 sessions you’ll feel a difference, 20 sessions you will see a difference, 30 sessions and you will have a whole new body” Joseph Pilates
These Pilates classes are varied and accessible. Mixed ability Pilates classes cover a mix of strengthening, stretching and control work each week.
Having such clinical experts instructing the classes mean that whether you are new to exercise or have been doing Pilates for years we will strive to meet your needs in these mixed ability classes. Classes focus on all aspects of core strength in a friendly and approachable way. Each week the class builds on the previous week and each course block has a different focus to keep you learning, developing, and having fun.
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Beginners Pilates FAQs
Certainly. Pilates is a low-impact, gentle but effective strengthening and stretching programme. You do not have to have an certain level of fitness to start. Our clinical team will meet you where you are and help you gently progress at the pace that is right for you.
No, you cannot attend just one class. Our classes are booked as part of a progressive course of 6-8 sessions. Each week our course gently progresses so that you get fitter, stronger and more flexible week by week.
If you would like to try a class why not book a pre-class introduction. See more here.
Yes. Pilates compliments faster paced sports and exercise programmes well. Running for example is good for cardiovascular fitness but can leave you feeling tight and with muscle imbalances. Pilates helps you build core strength, flexibility and address muscle imbalances. This can help you prevent injury and improve your performance.
Best of all, practicing physio led Pilates helps you to understand your body. When you are your own movement expert you can carry this with you into all your activities.
Your instructor will greet you, show you around and help get you settled on your mat. They may suggest a spot closer to them for your first week.
The session will begin with a warm up. This is often in standing. The warm up will involve some movements that are repeated each week. This helps them to become familiar quickly. After warming up your instructor will take you through a series of stretching and strengthening movements. They will cover all of the key core muscles during the course.
Your instructor will explain and demonstrate each exercise from their mat. They will offer levels appropriate for everyone in the class. Once they get you started your physiotherapist will make their way around the class offering individual support and adaptations. You can work at your own pace and rest when you need to. Your physiotherapist will welcome you asking for support when you need it.
Beginners classes are planned to be very varied and to allow time to cool down and stretch out after each exercise.
Classes end with a cool down and a focus point to think about between sessions.
Comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement. We exercise without shoes on a mat. You might find socks with grips helpful, some clients prefer to exercise barefoot.
It is helpful if your clothes allow your instructor to see you move underneath them. Leggings or joggers and fitted t-shirt are perfect for this. Some of our exercises involve bending over or having our legs up, you want your clothing to allow this movement without falling down or becoming see-through.
All of our classes are very well ventilated to help us keep them safe in the COVID-19 pandemic. Layers are useful so that you can adjust your clothing to the temperature of the room.
Yes! Physiotherapist led Pilates can help you with you back pain. Exercise therapy is one of the most evidence based treatments for lower back pain. Pilates can help you stretch out tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, improve your general fitness and become more confident in your movements.
As physiotherapists our instructors aim to assess your individual needs and work with you on your strengthen and weaknesses. You can find out more in this article ‘What is core stability and can Pilates help’
We recommend that you book a pre-class introduction if you have pain. These give you 1:1 time to get the most from your instructors expertise.
No, all you need to start is a mat. Pilates uses your own body to provide the resistance and load. You can work at all levels without any special equipment at all.
Once you get going you might find it useful to purchase some small bits of equipment to add variety and help develop more advanced techniques. Your instructor can help you with this. We might suggest spiky balls, resistance bands, or a strap for stretching.
Mixed Ability Pilates FAQs
Certainly. Pilates is a low-impact, gentle but effective strengthening and stretching programme. You do not have to have an certain level of fitness to start. Our clinical team will meet you where you are and help you gently progress at the pace that is right for you.
No, you cannot attend just one class. Our classes are booked as part of a progressive course of 6-8 sessions. Each week our course gently progresses so that you get fitter, stronger and more flexible week by week.
If you would like to try a class why not book a pre-class introduction. See more here.
Don’t worry if you need to miss a class, your instructor will continue to work with you when you are back. Our small class sizes mean we can support our clients 1:1.
We also offer online catch up sessions. We have live stream classes on Wednesdays at 6.30pm and pre-recorded classes by your physios each term. Both of these can be accessed on the members area. It is free as part of your programme membership.
We cannot carry missed sessions over into the next programme or offer refunds for any missed classes.
New clients are welcome to join us at the start of each course block (normally in week 1 or 2) but sometimes we can accommodate new clients in a course in progress. Contact us, we would love to help.
If you are looking to join a mixed ability class then we highly recommend booking in a pre-class introduction for some 1:1 time with your class physio before the course starts. You can book these in advance of joining your course. See more here.
Yes. Pilates compliments faster paced sports and exercise programmes well. Running for example is good for cardiovascular fitness but can leave you feeling tight and with muscle imbalances. Pilates helps you build core strength, flexibility and address muscle imbalances. This can help you prevent injury and improve your performance.
Best of all, practicing physio led Pilates helps you to understand your body. When you are your own movement expert you can carry this with you into all your activities.
100% yes! Pilates was created by a man – Joseph Pilates. Men can get just as much out of Pilates as women. Stiff spines, weak muscles, and poor core stability affect males and females alike. Pilates can help you loosen up, strengthen up and feel better.
Our classes are friendly, welcoming, non competitive environments. Men are just as welcome as women in them all.
Yes! Physiotherapist led Pilates can help you with you back pain. Exercise therapy is one of the most evidence based treatments for lower back pain. Pilates can help you stretch out tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, improve your general fitness and become more confident in your movements.
As physiotherapists our instructors aim to assess your individual needs and work with you on your strengthen and weaknesses. You can find out more in this article ‘What is core stability and can Pilates help’
We recommend that you book a pre-class introduction if you have pain. These give you 1:1 time to get the most from your instructors expertise.
Not at all. Our mixed ability classes don’t require any previous experience.
Our physiotherapists give different options for each exercise so there will be a level suitable for you. If you are new to Pilates, or would like to work at a slower pace you stick to the first level. If you would like more of a challenge then progress on with your physio.
Wherever you are when you start with us, each week we will help you build up, strengthen and stretch so that by the end of the first course you feel better and notice the change.
If you are feeling a little worried about starting with us, why not book a pre-class introduction. Meeting your physiotherapist and having some 1:1 time before the course starts can help your confidence.
Availability
Pop up Pilates for Advanced Clients
““The acquirement and enjoyment of physical wellbeing, and mental calm are priceless to their possessors” Joseph Pilates
Our knowledge of anatomy, human movement and biomechanics make Pop up Pilates classes highly effective work outs. In our advanced Pilates classes we use dynamic exercises to keep courses challenging and interesting for those who have been doing Pilates for longer.
All of our instructors use their clinical assessment skills to observe and understand their clients bodies and movements, in our advanced classes we can use this to push you to develop areas of need and to help you become your own expert.
Course are progressive and focused to help you get the most out of each block.
Pilates for Intermediate and Advanced FAQs
No, you cannot attend just one class. Our classes are booked as part of a progressive course of 6-8 sessions. Each week our course gently progresses so that you get fitter, stronger and more flexible week by week.
If you would like to try a class why not book a pre-class introduction. See more here.
Don’t worry if you need to miss a class, your instructor will continue to work with you when you are back. Our small class sizes mean we can support our clients 1:1.
We also offer online catch up sessions. We have live stream classes on Wednesdays at 6.30pm and pre-recorded classes by your physios each term. Both of these can be accessed on the members area. It is free as part of your programme membership.
We cannot carry missed sessions over into the next programme or offer refunds for any missed classes.
There isn’t a set amount of time before you can join these classes. Some clients feel ready to progress from a beginners class after just 6 months.
However, to do well in the intermediate class, you need to have a good understanding of the Pilates principles. We like you to understand the neutral spine position and to be able to activate your deep abdominal muscles (transverse abdominis) and pelvic floor.
The intermediate class will still offer different levels for each exercise so that you can chose the best one for you. But the class will be faster paced and the exercises will flow from one to the other. We still welcome requests for support and work with clients to offer individual adaptions. Contact us to discuss your individual requirements if you aren’t sure.
Yes. Pilates compliments faster paced sports and exercise programmes well. Running for example is good for cardiovascular fitness but can leave you feeling tight and with muscle imbalances. Pilates helps you build core strength, flexibility and address muscle imbalances. This can help you prevent injury and improve your performance.
Best of all, practicing physio led Pilates helps you to understand your body. When you are your own movement expert you can carry this with you into all your activities.
Yes! Physiotherapist led Pilates can help you with you back pain. Exercise therapy is one of the most evidence based treatments for lower back pain. Pilates can help you stretch out tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, improve your general fitness and become more confident in your movements.
As physiotherapists our instructors aim to assess your individual needs and work with you on your strengthen and weaknesses. You can find out more in this article ‘What is core stability and can Pilates help’
We recommend that you book a pre-class introduction if you have pain. These give you 1:1 time to get the most from your instructors expertise.