Karen from Reading says...
I've had a bad back for about 6 years to the point where twice a year I'd be flat out unable to even move, Pilates was recommended to me by my Chiropractor and although I was skeptical, and didn't even "get it", to start with, it soon became clear that it was having a positive effect. It didn't eradicate the issues I was having but it certainly made them more manageable and helped with a more speedy recovery when things were at their worst. I wasn't probably diagnosed until about 18 months ago and it turned out I had a major prolapsed disc – which even Pilates wouldn't have been able to fix however the surgeon said it was probably the Pilates that was holding me together!
I had disc replacement surgery in January 2010 and now have a disc implant, part of the recovery process was going to Physio and because I'd already done Pilates this made the exercises clearer; the Physio's job easier and my recovery quicker. I still go to Pilates twice a week as the benefits are endless, improved posture; core strength; greater knowledge of how my body works; how to relax and relieve stress, and last but not least feeling great, and having people tell me I look great too!
Rachel and the team always ensure the classes are tailored to your needs, offering alternatives and different levels of intensity depending on your ability, they also keep the classes interesting so it's never boring even when you've attended classes as long as I have.
Helen from Wokingham says...
"I went to Pilates for Pregnancy up until 5 days before my baby was born. The classes helped improve my posture when my bump became large and heavy and it was such a wonderful way to help with the aches and pains of late pregnancy. The class sizes are very small so you get excellent support for individual needs and the relaxed atmosphere really helped to unwind after a busy day. The teaching was informative and you were given options to suit your needs and ability; what you learnt in the class was easy to do at home too. Pilates for Pregnancy is a great class to attend throughout your pregnancy and I would thoroughly recommend it."
Fiona from Shinfield says...
"I have been doing Pilates with Rachel and the Pilates-Train-Me team for three and a half years now and I cannot advocate enough the benefits of doing Pilates I originally started because my husband got me some 1-1 sessions with Rachel as a Christmas present – this was to help with a recurring lower back problem I had that had stopped me from being able to do my regular exercise routine of running and volleyball - and it has been a life changing experience for me. When I first started I could barely do a pelvic tilt due to my back issue, however within a month my core stability had improved considerably and I was doing a regular weekly mat based class relatively pain free. I now do both a mat based and an equipment class every week, and can’t imagine my life without Pilates. Although I had initially started Pilates to work on my core stability, it has so many other benefits for both body and mind that I now couldn't do without – not only has it strengthened and toned the whole of my body, it has helped with my flexibility, increased my overall fitness level and is a great stress reliever. I always come out of a class with a smile on my face!
Rachel, Sarah and the team are all true professionals and their can-do attitude and enthusiasm for Pilates has had a really positive effect on my life. Since I have been doing Pilates I haven’t had a recurrence of my original back issue, which is amazing - so I would really have to say Pilates-Train-Me has been my best Christmas present ever!"
Maria from Swallowfield says...
"I have been with Pilates-Train-Me for 10 years now. My initial reason for joining was a neck injury which was then exasperated due to having two kids very close together. This is a thing of the past, the only pain in my neck these days are the ones I invite! It has been a privilege to train with Pilates-Train-Me over the years and I have benefited hugely from their ongoing development and continued enthusiasm and passion for the discipline. I would and do recommend them to friends, family and clients!"
Chrissie from Reading Says...
"I have been having 1-2-1 sessions at Pilates Train Me for 18 months now. My core strength has dramatically improved, along with my flexibility and I’ve lost several inches from my middle too. Excellent tuition in a terrific studio with all the gadgets and gizmos you could possibly need. It's still hard to believe that such seemingly "gentle" exercise can achieve such great results!"
Mathilde from Reading says...
"This second birth was made much easier thanks to the breathing technics learnt and practiced at Pilates-train-me, even the midwife was impressed, she said that my breathing was perfectly synchronised with the contractions and I could really feel the benefits of it during labour. All the pelvic floor exercises helped for the recovery after the birth as I knew what sensations to look for."
Thank you so much for last night's class, you have fixed my Hip!
"I've been in pain since the reading half marathon and my doctor told me it was my tendon and it would take 4 months to heal, not to run & just stick with Pilates and it will eventually heal. I have been so miserable as it had been getting worse, and then last night I couldn't even do that side leg kick, I was gutted, but I could do the alternative exercise, that you adapted specifically for me. Today like magic its better, it fixed it, I'm so happy, Thank you so much!!"
Roger says...
"During a winter break my wife noticed the amount of stiffness in my upper arm movements together with a typical golfer's elbow. She soon had me doing some simple Pilates exercise and on our return arranged for me to see Sarah at the Pilates Equipment Studio.
Now eight months later, the troublesome elbow and arm are straight and the upper arm movements allow me to reach well behind my head to the top of the spine. At the age of 63 I now look forward to being able to take on more exercise alongside my weekly Pilates session and golf and take advantage of the additional flexibility I have gained."
Madeline from Earley says...
"For some years now I have been seeing a Chiropractor on a regular basis, to keep my (admittedly mild) scoliosis from becoming too much of a problem.
On my latest visit it was remarked upon that my spine was almost straight now – which (pleasantly) surprised me!
Apparently the Pilates, its core strengthening, has had an extremely beneficial effect on my back – I’ve only been doing it for 6 months!
Just think what the future must hold! Thank you Sarah"
Tracey from Lower Earley says...
"After suffering with fibromyalgia for many years and being in constant pain, I decided to start Pilates to see if it would help me, I can certainly say it has!
Rachel tailored the exercises to suit my requirements and made sure there was no strain put on me to aggravate my pain. Over the year, attending Pilates has made me progress through different levels of exercise and my muscle strength has improved. My body is in much better shape and my general health has also improved. Thanks Rachel, for your patience, encouragement and support. I am so glad I tried Pilates!"
Victoria from Wokingham says...
"I am 34 years old and have been diagnosed with MS for almost 2 years. I started going to Pilates not long after being diagnosed, not because I was aware of the benefits at the time, but to pacify my mum who has been with Rachel for years!
I have suffered two major relapses, both about a year apart, which affected my left leg and then my right. After the first relapse, I thought continuing Pilates would be a waste of time because my mobility was so limited, I was so wrong. There were many positions that I was unable to hold, as previously mastered, but this did not limit me. Rachel was able to give me alternative moves that covered the same area that the rest of the class were covering. I now believe that if I had not gone whilst suffering a relapse, the relapse would of lasted a lot longer. I find the most beneficial thing about Pilates is the different levels that are offered, with the ability to up or lower the intensity depending on how you feel on that day. My core and pelvic area is stronger now and as a result my balance and co-ordination has improved. I also have more control over my bladder. Pilates takes a lot of concentration, especially when you start, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because it REALLY HAS improved my quality of life!
Sheila from Earley says...
"Having tried a taster session of Pilates on holiday a couple of years ago, I was looking for a class to join when I saw an advert for the classes in Lower Earley. I felt I was benefiting from the classes, but was appalled when I saw a video of myself with bowed head and hunched shoulders, so booked a 1 to 1 session with Sarah to focus on these particular issues. Sarah gave me relatively simple exercises for my shoulders and back, which I have incorporated into my every day life. I can’t believe how much my posture has improved – even another aerobics teacher and my chiropractor have remarked on my straight, strong back! If I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror I can see that I am maintaining my posture almost without thinking (although when I do occasionally slump I can hear Sarah saying relax your shoulders and wing bones down!).
I cannot imagine not doing pilates and the flexibility of the classes allows me always get to one of Sarah’s classes each week despite my irregular patterns of work, plus the occasional 1 to 1 session to concentrate on specific concerns."
Joan from Lower Earley says...
"After suffering for years from lower back problems my Doctor recommended I take up Pilates. Since attending classes with Sarah my problems have disappeared and I am able to tackle jobs I haven`t been able to do for a long time. I wouldn`t miss my weekly session for anything."
Donna from Reading says...
"Since attending pilates the mobility that has returned to my shoulders is incredible making my job as a carer and normal day to day jobs so much easier."
Louise from Earley says...
"I didn`t realise how hard you could work your body at a slower pace. Pilates has helped me to tone and condition my body in preparation for my wedding and Sarah makes the classes so much fun."
John from Wokingham says...
"My posture has always been poor! However, since attending Pilates with Rachel I have felt a vast overall improvement, I use to frequently suffer from back pain, this has now gone! My abs have become stronger and more defined! My overall health and well being is of a much higher standard. Thank you Rachel"
Jenny from Tilehurst says...
"I am a regular attendee of the gym and have completed a lot of charity work including The Marathon and London to Brighton (Bike Ride). Since attending Pilates with Rachel twice a week my concentration and my focus has increased greatly! She has a natural flair for motivating and encouraging you to progress. Thanks for cracking the whip!"
Debbie from Caversham says...
"Rachel encouraged me to attend Pilates before, during and after my pregnancy. Her aim whilst I was pregnant was to maintain my fitness levels without putting my body under any undue stress. Pilates is an excellent alternative to other fitness regimes that involve high impact and raising the heart rate unduly. Strengthening of the Pelvic Floor muscles and Lower Abdominals helped me to maintain a healthy pregnancy without any back pain, which also assisted me with the birth of my child. Thanks I am looking forward to progressing further with Rachel as I'm now beyond postnatal."
