What to wear:

You should wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement; clothing should not be too loose. Many exercises are performed on your back, making loose shorts inappropriate. Pilates is usually performed in bare feet, but you may wear your socks if you wish.

 

Are there any prerequisites? 

If you are healthy and uninjured, you are required to complete PILATES 101 before signing up for an equipment (or “apparatus”) class. We offer PILATES 101 as a single one-hour orientation session, or a package of 4 one-hour private sessions. We recommend the 4 session package for all clients, and especially those who are new to Pilates. Learn more about PILATES 101 »

If you are recovering from an injury, you must complete a full evaluation with our instructors before registering for classes. Click here for information about evaluations.

 

Is there more than one level of equipment class? 

Yes, but our classes are based on your fitness goals, rather than levels. In all of our Pilates-based apparatus classes, you may utilize any or all of the Pilates equipment, including the reformer, the jump board, the spring tower, and the chair. If you're new to Evolve you will need to take PILATES 101 first. Please contact the studio to see which classes are suitable for you.
View the class schedule »

APPARATUS: FOCUS

Focus classes teach you to connect your mind to your body and strengthen your ability to concentrate. This class centers on core strength and stability, injury prevention and joint mobility. The pace of a focus class is deliberate and controlled, allowing the participants to focus on the task at hand, creating a more balanced body and a more focused mind.

This class is great for beginners and also great for experienced clients who wish to exercise at a more focused pace, paying attention to detail rather than speed. Please note: While this class is great for beginners, if you've never done Pilates before you will need to take Pilates 101 first (see above).

APPARATUS: CHALLENGE

Challenge classes are fitness classes with a moderately challenging pace, requiring more balance, coordination, and strength than a Focus class. You must be approved by Evolve management to take Apparatus: Challenge.*

APPARATUS: ADVANCED

Advanced classes are for advanced Pilates students and will challenge balance, athletic skill, speed, coordination and endurance. The pace of Advanced classes is fast, requiring a high level of experience and confidence on the Pilates apparatus.*

*Please Note: Students must be approved to sign up for Advanced and Challenge classes.

 

Can I take Private Sessions?

Yes!  Evolve offers Private Sessions customized to meet individual needs. Your instructor will help develop a workout program specific to your body and goals, selecting the exercises that will benefit you the most. Private sessions are ideal for new clients, clients with injuries, and more advanced clients looking to improve their form.  You can also use private sessions to Go Beyond Pilates with GYROTONIC®, Structural Integration and Garuda. Semi-private Pilates sessions are also available if you'd like to take classes with a friend, spouse, training partner, or family member.  Contact us for more information or book a private session online.

 

 
 

About Pilates:

Even if you’ve never taken a Pilates class we can teach you about the concepts you need to know to make your body strong and healthy.

The Pilates Method is a unique system of strengthening and stretching exercises developed by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920's. Pilates fuses aspects of eastern and western exercise disciplines: from the east comes an emphasis on the mind-body connection and flexibility and from the west comes an emphasis on muscle tone, strength and endurance.

Pilates builds a strong, well-aligned body that moves with efficiency and ease. Exercises are performed on different types of apparatus with adjustable spring tensions to strengthen areas of weakness and balance the body. Props such as balls, foam rolls, rings and bands are also utilized.

 

Q:  What makes Pilates different from other forms of exercise?
A:  Pilates will bring about positive changes to your body regardless of your fitness level.

Q: How can Pilates help me?

  • Tones and defines muscles

  • Strengthens the deep core muscles to support the back

  • Emphasizes correct posture, breathing and body alignment

  • Increases balance and stability

  • Corrects muscular imbalances

  • Releases tension

  • Decreases pain

Q:  Who can take Pilates?
A: Pilates is suitable for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. New exercisers, fitness enthusiasts, athletes, chronic pain sufferers, rehab patients, and pregnant women have all benefited from the Pilates Method. Evolve's experienced instructors will tailor a Pilates program to your specific needs.

 

Dispelling Some Pilates Myths

Myth: Pilates is just for women
Fact: Absolutely not. Pilates was created by a man for men and women. Pilates helps improve posture by strengthening muscles in a more functional manner than some of the regular gym machines. This approach to training benefits both men and women. As a matter of fact, many men would suffer from fewer injuries and benefit more from their fitness routines and weight training if they added a Pilates class to their weekly routine.

Myth: Pilates is just stretching
Fact: Pilates does improve flexibility, but probably not how you think. True flexibility of a joint means the joint can go through its full range of motion. Full range of motion of a joint is accomplished by balancing the strength of the muscles surrounding a joint. Pilates teaches you to balance strength, and rarely utilizes static stretching poses. Pilates moves joints through challenging movements that force you to rely on stabilizing muscles to help control and then improve joint range of motion.

Myth: Pilates isn’t resistance training
Fact: Pilates IS resistance training. Pilates equipment utilizes cable systems much like the free weight cable machines in the gym. The difference is that Pilates equipment uses springs instead of weight plates. Joseph Pilates was well ahead of his time when he chose to use springs for conditioning the body. Unlike a weight, the contraction and release of a spring works the same way your muscles do. The springs have the ability to provide resistance in one direction and assistance in the opposite direction. Springs very closely resemble the way the body's muscles move in real life, developing tension while simultaneously lengthening. Use of springs with exercise means no strain on the joint at the beginning of the range of motion and the benefit of a larger amount of resistance at the end of the range of motion.

Myth: I won’t be able to do Pilates unless I’m flexible
Fact: Pilates is appropriate for men and women of all shapes and sizes. Pilates machines can assist you in finding a greater range of motion in all of your joints. Let's face it: flexiblility feels good. Pilates helps you to become stronger and more flexible at the same time. You don’t have to be able to bend your body into a pretzel to see and feel the positive changes in your body.

 

More Info: 

Read about Joseph Pilates on Wikipedia »
Read about Pilates on Wikipedia »
Read about Pilates on the National Pilates Method Alliance website »