Beginners Pilates classes
Mat Pilates classes in Sittingbourne
Build strength, improve mobility and develop better control of your movement with small-group Mat Pilates classes at RevitaliseU-Kent.
Laura teaches mixed-ability Pilates classes in Sittingbourne and Lynsted, with a maximum of nine people in each class.
Exercises can be adapted to suit different levels of experience, so you can work at a pace that is appropriate for you.
- Sittingbourne & Lynsted
- Maximum 9 per class
- Mixed ability
The method
What is Mat Pilates?
Mat Pilates is a form of exercise performed mainly on an exercise mat using your own body weight for resistance.
The exercises are based on the principles developed by Joseph Pilates and place particular emphasis on controlled movement, breathing, alignment and concentration.
During your class, Laura will guide you through each movement rather than simply asking you to complete as many repetitions as possible.
This gives you time to think about how your body is moving and concentrate on technique.
In class
What happens in a Mat Pilates class?
A typical class combines exercises for different parts of the body rather than concentrating on one muscle group.
You may work lying down, sitting, kneeling, standing or in supported positions. Sessions can include exercises designed to work on:
Sessions can work on
- Core strength
- Abdominal and back muscle endurance
- Leg and upper-body strength
- Balance
- Flexibility
- Joint mobility
- Coordination
- Posture and alignment
- Controlled movement
Small equipment Laura may use
- Resistance bands
- Free weights
- Pilates magic circles
- Ova balls
- Small Pilates balls
- Other small resistance equipment
Laura also regularly uses small Pilates equipment to change or progress exercises. Sometimes equipment increases the challenge. At other times it can provide support or help you understand a movement.
Book Mat PilatesThe evidence
The benefits of Pilates
Pilates combines muscle-strengthening, flexibility, balance and controlled movement exercises.
The NHS includes Pilates among activities that can help improve strength and flexibility. NHS guidance states that maintaining muscle strength can help with everyday activities, while flexibility exercises help maintain the movement needed for daily tasks and physical activity.
Research into Pilates also supports several of its commonly reported physical benefits.
A systematic review of randomised controlled trials found evidence that Pilates can improve abdominal muscular endurance in healthy adults. Other studies within the review reported improvements in areas including dynamic balance and back-muscle flexibility.
Another review found evidence for improvements in flexibility, dynamic balance and muscular endurance, although the strength of evidence varies between outcomes.
You can read more about strength and flexibility exercise from the NHS strength and flexibility guidance.
How it helps
Strength, balance & flexibility
Three ways Mat Pilates supports everyday movement, backed by current UK guidance and research.
Pilates for strength
Pilates does not necessarily look like traditional strength training, but many exercises require you to control your own body weight against gravity. Small equipment can provide additional resistance.
Your abdominal muscles, back, hips, legs, shoulders and arms may all be involved during a class.
The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that adults include activities that develop or maintain muscle strength on at least two days each week. Pilates can form part of that wider exercise routine.
Pilates for balance
Balance requires coordination between different muscles and your nervous system. Many Pilates exercises require you to stabilise one part of your body while another part moves. Standing exercises can provide an additional balance challenge.
Research is particularly interesting for older adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis involving 39 studies found Pilates had positive effects on balance, strength, flexibility and physical function compared with inactive control groups, although the researchers rated certainty differently across the outcomes.
UK physical activity guidance also recommends that older adults undertake activities aimed at maintaining or improving strength, balance and flexibility at least twice a week.
Pilates for flexibility & mobility
Flexibility is not about being able to perform extreme stretches. It is about maintaining enough movement around your joints to carry out everyday activities comfortably.
Pilates combines controlled movement with exercises that take joints through different ranges of movement.
The NHS lists Pilates as a flexibility activity and explains that flexibility exercises can help maintain the movement required for everyday tasks and other physical activity.
Back care
What about back pain?
Many people become interested in Pilates because their back feels stiff or uncomfortable.
Pilates should not be presented as a treatment for every type of back pain. However, exercise forms part of recognised guidance for managing some cases of low back pain.
NICE recommends considering exercise programmes, including biomechanical and mind-body approaches, for people experiencing certain episodes of low back pain or sciatica. The person's needs and abilities should be taken into account.
The NHS also provides a Pilates-inspired exercise programme for people with chronic back pain and states that there is some evidence that Pilates can be helpful for lower back pain.
You can read the NICE guidance on exercise and low back pain.
If you have an injury, persistent pain or a diagnosed medical condition, tell Laura before participating.
New to Pilates?
Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes.
You do not need to be strong or flexible before starting Pilates. Laura teaches mixed-ability classes and can provide different versions of exercises.
If you have never attended a Pilates class before, please contact Laura before booking. She can introduce you to some of the basic principles, including:
Basic principles Laura can introduce
- Pilates breathing
- Neutral posture
- Pelvic positioning
- Core activation
- Controlled movement
This can make your first group class much easier to follow.
Find us
Where classes are held
Mat Pilates classes are held at two venues near Sittingbourne in Kent.
The Oast Business Centre
62 Bell RoadSittingbourne
Kent
ME10 4HE
Lynsted Church
Lynsted LaneLynsted
Sittingbourne
RevitaliseU-Kent is convenient for people travelling from Sittingbourne, Teynham, Newington, Faversham and surrounding Kent villages.
Pricing
Mat Pilates prices
The Oast Business centre
£10.5060-minute Mat Pilates class
Pay as you goLynsted Church
£10.0060-minute Mat Pilates class
Pay as you goQuestions
Mat Pilates FAQs
Yes, Mat Pilates is suitable for beginners because exercises can be adapted to match your experience and ability.
Laura teaches mixed-ability classes and can provide easier or more challenging versions of many exercises. If you are completely new to Pilates, contact Laura before booking so she can help you choose the right class.
Yes, you should bring your own exercise mat unless you have been told otherwise for your class.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and bring a drink. Laura may provide small equipment such as resistance bands, Ova balls, weights and Pilates circles during the session.
Mat Pilates classes are limited to a maximum of nine people.
Keeping classes small gives Laura more opportunity to check your technique, answer questions and suggest alternative exercises where needed.
Mat Pilates classes can include resistance bands, free weights, Ova balls, Pilates circles and other small exercise equipment.
Not every piece of equipment is used in every class. Laura varies the sessions to introduce different movements, resistance levels and challenges.
Yes, you do not need to be flexible before starting Mat Pilates.
Pilates exercises work within your current range of movement. Laura can adapt exercises where needed, so you should not feel pressured to stretch further than feels comfortable.
Massage
Ready to unwind?
Book a 45-minute Indian Head Massage at RevitaliseU-Kent in Sittingbourne.
45 minutes · £42