INTRODUCTORY SESSION
$79
As your trusted local experts, we highly recommend that everyone, no matter how many years of Pilates experience you have, join us for an introductory session. In this 90 minute session, a trainer will access your experience, fitness level, and aspirations to design a program based on yoru personal needs and challenges. Plus, you’ll get to know the studio, the equipment, and the MOVE way of doing things.
No two bodies are the same, and our aim is to work with each client on your body’s unique needs and goals. MOVE trainers will help you understand how Pilates can support you so that you can be fit, strong and empowered – and prevent injuries. Our trainers will use their expertise to create a customized Pilates-based fitness program for you. And if needed, we are happy to work as part of a care team with your medical providers or other trainers.
In a private session, your MOVE trainer will:
Take you through 50 minutes of customized Pilates exercises to challenge you so you can feel the principles of Pilates and how they can support you in achieving your goals.
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Listen to you as you share what you hope to achieve with the session and your Pilates training goals and hear about any physical issues or injuries.
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Check in with you about how your body is feeling that day
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Take you through 50 minutes of customized Pilates exercises to challenge you and help you feel the principles in your body
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Ensure that you’re training safely, recover from existing health issues, or transition from a physical therapy program
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Provide expertise, support, encouragement, and accountability
With our small group Pilates classes you can have the camaraderie of a group class setting with the benefits of a private session. These classes are limited in size, allowing you to progress with a group of similarly leveled clients. For these sessions, your trainer will teach the principles of the method at a level appropriate for your group. You will use a wide variety of Pilates equipment including the Pilates Reformer, Tower and Chair. Our desk team will help you choose classes that will challenge you safely and allow you to receive the maximum benefit.
If you don’t live near our Ann Arbor studio or simply enjoy the comfort and convenience of working out at home, we offer plenty of ways to move with us online. From virtual private sessions through Zoom and live online class to pre-recorded classes and programs on our On Demand and Youtube channels.
Schedule your Introduction to Pilates Class today to get started!
One-on-one private sessions are a great way to stay accountable and consistent while getting a workout tailored to your exact needs. Work out in-person or livestream from the comfort of your home. Our Trainers and Concierge Team will work one-on-one with you to create your custom schedule and keep you moving confidently and comfortably through your fitness journey. With a membership, you just choose how often you’d like to come in (1, 2, 3 times/week) and we will set you up on our monthly billing program. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, it goes back to your MOVE account for you to use at a later date.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise system developed by boxer and gymnast Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. While the exercises in this system work out the full body, there is a focus on breathing well and engaging the core muscles to support balanced and efficient movement.
Is Pilates only focused on the core?
No. Pilates strengthens and lengthens the entire body; however, a focus of the exercise is to keep the core stable and strong. A key benefit of Pilates is that it focuses on individual postural issues and helps each person unravel their own unique muscular imbalances to create a healthy body.
What is the difference between Pilates & Yoga?
Both Pilates and Yoga are mind-body practices that build long, lean muscles. There are some key differences though:
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Yoga is rooted in a spiritual, meditative practice, and many contemporary yoga classes choose to bring the power of intention to the mat
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While you won’t be asked to connect with your chakras in Pilates, you will be learning about your muscle groups in detail. Pilates puts emphasis on using the deep abs and pelvic floor muscles while the limbs move three-dimensionally in space. While there are some aspects of yoga that are similar, there’s far more of an anatomical approach to Pilates when compared with the yoga
Will Pilates help me lose weight?
Pilates helps to create long, lean, fit bodies. There are many ways that doing Pilates supports weight loss, but it is also recommended that clients eat a healthy diet and incorporate some form of high-intensity interval or other cardiovascular training to boost metabolism. We want to support you in your goals.
Do I wear shoes for Pilates?
No. Pilates is done without shoes on. In fact, we recommend that you practice in bare feet to ensure you don’t slip on the floor or mats. If you wish to wear socks, we recommend that you wear socks with grippers on the bottom. You can purchase them at our front desk.
What is the difference between working out on the specialized equipment vs. working out on the mat?
Mat classes tend to focus on core work and require you to support the stabilization of your body. Pilates equipment, like the Cadillac, Reformer, or Chair, gives you a frame to work within that is often more helpful than mat but can also be more challenging when springs are added or taken away. Working on the equipment can also target and tone specific areas of your body efficiently.
How do I become a Pilates Instructor?
In order to become a Pilates instructor you should first gain as much experience as possible doing the exercises. Next, talk to Pilates professionals and find a way to enroll in and then complete a Pilates Instructor training course. As you train, or soon after you finish, look for opportunities to begin teaching. Finally, prepare for and take a recognized certification exam such as the Pilates Method Alliance’s NPCP exam.
What do the Cadillac and Reformer look like and do for the body?
THE CADILLAC
The Cadillac has a bed-like frame that offers an extensive range of exercises (more than 200, in fact) for everyone from post-rehab clients to athletes, providing the perfect place to practice multi-planar strength and flexibility movements. This versatile piece of equipment features a variety of spring lengths and tensions, as well as multiple spring attachment sites providing different levels of resistance to support or challenge the body. This allows arms and legs to be worked independently ensuring muscle balance in the upper and lower body as well as stability through the core.
THE REFORMER
The Reformer has a bed-like frame with a flat platform, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs. The springs provide choices of differing levels of resistance as the carriage is pushed or pulled along the frame. Body weight and resistance of the springs are what make the carriage more or less difficult to move. Reformer parts are adjustable for body size and skill levels. Exercises can be done lying down, sitting, standing, pulling the straps, pushing the footbar, perched on the footbar, perched on the shoulder blocks, with additional equipment, upside down, sideways, etc.
What is involved in an initial private session? Is it just a consultation, or will I get a workout?
Your first private session at MOVE Wellness will involve a consultation and a great workout! You’ll meet with one of our personal trainers, who will get to know you, your body, injuries (if any), goals and discuss a program to meet your needs. Typically, your trainer will offer you a few exercises that you can do at home to support your work in your session, tailored to your body’s needs.
How often should I practice Pilates each week?
Because we are working to support neuromuscular patterning, MOVE Wellness recommends practicing Pilates 3 times per week to see the most rapid change in your body. However, we recognize that time, finances and other barriers can prevent this. We’ll work with you to customize a plan that meets all of your needs.
How long do I need to practice Pilates to notice changes in my body?
Everyone responds differently to Pilates, but if you maintain a somewhat regular practice, you’ll see changes quickly. According to Joseph Pilates: “10 sessions – feel the difference, 20 sessions – see the difference, 30 sessions – have a new body.”
Will male clients benefit from Pilates?
Yes! Pilates is excellent for men, of all fitness levels. In fact, we have a class devoted to our favorite guys. Click here to learn more.
I am injured and/or pregnant. Is Pilates safe for me?
Our trainers specialize in working with special populations, including those who are injured and/or pregnant to ensure optimal support. We’ll even coordinate with other therapists and physicians on your treatment team. Let us know what issues you are working with and we will help you schedule with a trainer that can support you on your fitness journey.
MOVE Wellness is a fitness studio in Ann Arbor that specializes in Pilates. Our expert trainers will teach you how to do Pilates both on the mat and on spring-based resistance equipment, designed by Joseph Pilates himself, including the Reformer, the Cadillac, the Chair and Barrels. Pilates is suitable for all bodies at every stage of life.
You can experience the wisdom and depth of this system in private training, small group classes, and virtual classes. These formats are customized to focus on your unique needs and goals. MOVE’s Pilates instructors work with clients of all ages, levels, and abilities whether you are new to fitness, an elite athlete, pre- or postnatal, recovering from injury, or simply seeking a new challenge. Whatever your conditioning goal, Pilates is an efficient, effective, and safe way to increase your flexibility, develop your core, and release tension.
Our Ann Arbor studio offers in-person private sessions and small group training with a customized program. Pilates classes are also available online through our Virtual Class Membership, which gives you unlimited access to virtual live and recorded classes each week.