I got interested in Pilates by chance after seeing a flyer up at a gym while I was working out one day about 5 years ago.  I decided to try something new because I felt like I was doing the same things over and over again.  Once I started doing Pilates, I was hooked because I never had a chance bored.  Every class is different and challenging in its own way and has helped me to get stronger, leaner, and more flexible.

The most important benefit to me, though, has been that I always feel like my stress level goes down significantly from the time that I walk into a Pilates class to the time I walk back out.  With a busy schedule involving a demanding job, going back to graduate school, and making sure that I am spending enough time with my husband, Pilates has been a great way for me to consolidate my workouts and deal with stress so that I can take more time to enjoy all of the good things going on in my life.

I first started Pilates in April of 2008.  I have always been pretty good at getting my cardio workout in, but hated doing weight training.  Although I know that weight training is really important for many reasons, I avoided it.  I have always felt so intimidated going to the gym’s free weight area and seeing all these guys lifting.  I felt really insecure working out with my wimpy 5 or 10 lb dumbbells and wondered if I was even doing the right exercises.  I had invested in a personal trainer here and there and, frankly, at  $70 an hour it was hard to get a routine going that I could benefit from and that I actually enjoyed.

Over the years, I had always heard about Pilates and I participated in some group mat classes at the gym.  But I really hadn’t heard much about the Pilates workout on the reformer.  After researching it a bit, I learned that the reformer was good at developing longer leaner muscle through resistance and weight bearing exercise.  Now knowing this, I could add the weight training element I was sorely lacking into my workout routine.  As spring came around, I was so excited to see East Street Pilates Studio had opened in down town Rochester.  I was so impressed with the convenient location and easy access parking.  This would mean getting in & out of the workout in seconds vs. minutes at the gym.  After meeting with Cara, I was immediately impressed with her credentials and her easy-going personality.

Cara and I scheduled a private reformer session so she could assess my fitness level and find out about my workout goals.  Afterwards she recommended a suitable program.  I actually had fun on the reformer and didn’t find it intimidating at all.  I also loved the fact that the maximum class size was 4 clients for the reformer class so I was guaranteed strong personalized attention in a class setting vs. my prior experience with the group mat class at the gym.  Since I was committed to the reformer, I started with a couple sessions a week (reformer) to get results more quickly and was pleased to find that I started seeing results in 6 weeks.  This encouraged me to keep it going and today I can say I honestly feel younger.  The constant stress in my neck and shoulders from hunching over a computer is gone.  My strength, flexibility and muscle tone has changed significantly and I definitely can see and feel how the reformer has changed my body.  Before joining Pilates,  I had been on a weight loss program and had lost over 20 lbs and after 1 year it has stayed off.  In addition, even after the weight loss, I lost one size in my clothes from Pilates in just firming and toning up. 

Who knows??  Maybe I’ll add mat into my routine, but right now I really love the reformer and feel like the cost is well worth the results.  At East Street Pilates there are a variety of more affordable options to establish a routine and a workout that is more fun and easier on my joints.  Since I like the workout, chances are stronger I’ll stick to it!  I would strongly encourage anyone to look into Pilates. If you live in the area, I would highly recommend adding East Street Pilates into your workout routine!