TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WHAT TO EXPECT?
All sessions are 45-60 min in length and take place in my home studio in Bookham. We use Pilates equipment like, reformer, chair and springboard, to go through a series of exercises that focus on all different muscle groups and movement types. We use principles of strength training and combine them with those of Pilates method, and apply them to exercises from classical and contemporary Pilates repertoire.
In our 1:1 or 2:1 sessions, we tailor the resistance and mobility program to your goals, so you can move through life with ease and enjoy your favourite activities for years to come.
Whether you are recovering from an injury, or simply want to build strength and improve flexibility, we use graded exercises and gradually increase the load, to bring back strength, joint range of motion and put you in control of your body.
Before your scheduled session, I send you a form to complete that asks about the current level of fitness, previous and current injuries, and your fitness goals and we discuss these in your first session.
I offer an attractive Intro Offer Package for new clients, to help you experience the benefits of training with me.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER A SESSION?
Hopefully you will feel absolutely amazing! At the very beginning, you may feel slightly overwhelmed. There are so many cues, so many things to think about, body parts to pay attention to. Concentration is key, so you may feel a bit mentally exhausted. Physically, you will feel longer and stretched out. You may also feel a bit sore the next day, but this is because we introduce new exercises that your body is not familiar with. You won't feel sore after a few sessions. With time you will notice your body getting stronger and will learn to be more aware of your posture and more optimal movement patterns will become second nature.
HOW IS PILATES DIFFERENT TO YOGA?
There are a lot of similarities. They are both low impact, body weight resistance workouts. In Yoga the emphasis is on flexibility. You get into positions which stretch certain muscles and hold poses, using breathing to deepen the stretch. In Pilates, the emphasis is on strengthening muscles around the joints and creating a stable foundation for movement. Like in Yoga, Pilates exercises require a lot of isometric muscle contraction to stabilise the body, improving length and tone of all muscle groups. Pilates might be better for those with limited flexibility as the range of motion in exercises requires less flexibility. It can also suit people recovering from injury, those wanting to improve their posture and core strength.
WILL I LOSE WEIGHT DOING PILATES?
Weight loss and exercise are not linked as much as we were made to believe. Weight loss is 90% result of a nutritionally balanced diet and calorie intake vs. output. Strength training does not burn as many calories as more cardiovascular exercise, however, a more intensive session helps burn as many calories as a 30 minute run.
I HAVE NEVER DONE PILATES. CAN I BOOK A SESSION?
Absolutely YES! Pilates is for everybody, no matter the level of fitness. You are never too unfit, too inflexible or too old to start getting stronger and more mobile. It is low impact way to exercise. I can't guarantee you will love it, which is why I offer 3 sessions at heavily discounted price in my Intro Offer, so you can see if you like it and want to stick with it.
WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF INTENSITY?
It really depends on what your goals are. Performing the exercises correctly is challenging but not necessarily energetic. The emphasis is on muscle activation and there is a lot of isometric contraction (muscle tensing to stabilise different body parts rather than create a movement). So when learning fundamentals the focus is on slow and precise. You are likely to feel the burn, but possibly not raise your heart rate too much. Once you are familiar with the basics and we progress with the difficulty of movements, we can add more dynamic routines which are likely to raise your heart rate, bring out some sweaty glow and make you feel the burn.
DO YOU FOLLOW GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES IN REGARDS TO COVID 19 AND HAVE YOU GOT RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE DIFFERENT SERVICES?
Yes, I do adhere to the EMD and CIMPSA guidelines, which follow government guidelines in regards to coronavirus and precautions all fitness professionals should take to protect their clients and themselves. I am happy to wear a PPE visor and follow hygiene guidelines. Equipment gets cleaned thoroughly after every use. Before each session we go through self-screening questions, which identify any symptoms which would not allow for the session to take place.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
I started Pilates with Monika shortly after having my second child and it was the best decision I ever made. I feel strong and energised from spending 1 hour a week focused on my body and breathing. A real plus to this class is Monika is a lovely person to work out with, she challenges you to push hard but the class has a smooth, calm pace and you feel the one to one support needed to really get Pilates right.
I was completely new to Pilates, when I started classes with Monika. I feel stronger and more flexible after every class and really enjoy getting to know my body again after a long break from any exercise on account of looking after two small kids. Another thing I noticed is how well I sleep after each class.
WHY TRAIN WITH ME?
Pick the time that suits you
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Learn fundamentals before progressing to more advanced exercises
SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS
Program tailored to your specific problem areas
FAST RESULTS
Exploring new movement patterns and exercises on weekly basis