Pilates Physio Style offers a range and a variation of floor classes tailored to match the level and requirements of the class participants. To keep you challenged, and to keep you interested, a different piece of equipment is used in the class each week of the course. Their simple design easily adapts to a variety of techniques enhancing balance, body awareness, correct muscle recruitment patterns, dynamic strengthening and mobilisation of the spine. Each piece of equipment has its own benefits ensuring that your body is worked in many different positions and circumstances, helping to reflect movements we perform in every day life.

FOAM ROLLERS are a solid cylinder of high density foam. They add increased complexity to a normal floor class by providing an unstable surface. The 'core' stabilising muscles must automatically "switch on" to allow you to balance and maintain a neutral spine. It is used very effectively to mobilise the thoracic spine and even massage along the spine, hips, and legs to relieve muscular tension. After lying along the roller you feel as if you are 'floating on air'.

EXERCISE BANDS have been used extensively by physiotherapists for many years as an alternative to weights. Pilates Physio Style has developed their own unique type of exercise bands for their programme. The bands provide resistance throughout the exercise; however the resistance must be used in conjunction with control of the movement, particularly as you release the band tension. They can be used effectively to strengthen the upper and lower body whilst necessitating the stabilisation of the shoulder girdle and 'core' muscles. We use several strengths of band, allowing for differences in participant's strength and /or stability.

The SWISS BALL has been used for many years in both the fitness industry and by physiotherapists. It further challenges core stability by providing an unstable surface requiring activation of the core muscles. The Swiss ball also allows for core stability to be challenged in the sitting position, which functionally is very appropriate, as much of our work is performed whilst seated. The Swiss ball is also a great way of improving core stability whilst strengthening the upper and lower body with exercises such as push-ups and squats. (Until a moderate degree of stability exists, the ball exercises are kept at a low level to improve the safety and effectiveness of our classes.)

The EXERCISE BALL is unique to PPS. It is a versatile piece of equipment which allows you to work to your level. It is particularly effective in performing "closed chain" exercises. In addition to activating the inner thigh muscles, squeezing the ball between the legs, has the carry-over effect of recruiting the deep abdominal and the pelvic floor muscles. Grasping the ball tightly while performing toning exercises with the upper back, arms and shoulders; works the deep muscles of the shoulder joint which help to hold it in place, and maintains shoulder girdle stability.

The STEP has been introduced to our program to provide a piece of equipment that can help simulate some everyday activities such as climbing stairs, stepping down and walking. In this instance we are looking at correct activation patterns and strength in the lower limb, and core muscles. It also provides a slightly elevated platform to sit on or hold, compared to the floor. This elevation takes the pressure off the hips and neural structures in sitting, and the wrists and fingers when holding the step, consequently allowing exercises to be done more effectively.