Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/IMG_3070.jpg" alt="Studio Pilates Exeter exterior " class="wp-image-69604" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/IMG_3070.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/IMG_3070-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/IMG_3070-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/IMG_3070-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I&#8217;ve just started taking a <a href="https://www.studiopilates.com/studios/exeter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reformer Pilates class in Exeter</a>, and excuse me, if I come over a little evangelical &#8211; it&#8217;s absolutely amazing. It&#8217;s the most intense exercise I&#8217;ve ever done &#8211; and I&#8217;ve tried Zumba, aerobics, circuits, and do weekly yoga classes and run a few miles every weekend &#8211;  but when it comes to toning up, this one&#8217;s a keeper. You really get results. After the very first lesson, my abs felt like something was happening. By the fourth, I can <em>see</em> the difference. What&#8217;s more, my posture is shoulder-back, head-up supermodel standard. I feel like I have grown an inch.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="400" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Studio-Pilates-UK-team.png" alt="Studio Pilates Exeter" class="wp-image-68365" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ve probably heard of Reformer Pilates, but a quick explainer in case you&#8217;re more familiar with the more commonly known version you do on a mat. This kind of Pilates is done on a piece of apparatus with a sliding platform, and adjustable springs to create resistance on one side, and two hand-held pulleys on the other. It&#8217;s about the size and shape of a rowing machine, only you can sit, lie or kneel on it to do the exercises. Watch this quick <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C375UZasDGd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Insta reel </a>for an idea.</p>



<p>Reformers was invented in the 1920s by the eponymous Joseph Pilates as a rehabilitation for dancers and athletes, a bit like physio, and it focusses on specific muscle groups, especially the smaller, deeper muscles groups. It&#8217;s brilliant for strengthening your core, and unlike the gym, builds your muscles from the inside out.</p>



<p>Loads of celebs love it too, from athletes like David Beckham to actors like Hayley Bieber and singers like Adele. And now I know why:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-it-s-super-quick-amp-convenient">1/  It&#8217;s super quick &amp; convenient </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/studio-pilates.jpg" alt="Studio Pilates Exeter" class="wp-image-68360" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/studio-pilates.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/studio-pilates-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/studio-pilates-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/studio-pilates-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Lessons are just 45 minutes, so you&#8217;re in and out before you&#8217;ve had time to start feeling bored or sorry for yourself. Lessons are all day, every day, so suit everyone from early birds to late owls. You can do a class at 6.30am with the pre-work professionals and mums who&#8217;ve snuck out before the kids are awake; during your lunch-break (and still have time to grab a bites afterwards); or for a post-work limber to shake out your shoulders after a day hunched over the desk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-it-s-not-sweaty">2/ It&#8217;s not sweaty</h2>



<p>Unlike a gym session, where treadmill lobster-red is de rigeur, with Reformer Pilates you barely perspire. That&#8217;s not to say it&#8217;s not hard (especially at first &#8211; even fit people can be surprised because it works different muscles than you&#8217;re used to flexing) but it&#8217;s locally intense, as you work as a specific muscle group. This makes it ideal for squeezing in between meetings or shopping trips. It&#8217;s made for busy people. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-you-never-feel-on-show">3/ You never feel on show</h2>



<p>If you feel self-conscious at the gym, then Reformer Pilates is perfect for you because you&#8217;re often lying down (in a class of up to 12). You&#8217;re kind of in your own little world. When you are sitting or kneeling up, you&#8217;re either looking at the instructor, the pretty chandeliers or the screens on the walls which are showing very precise instructions on what to do. And even better: no mirrors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-it-s-good-for-sorting-out-a-bad-back-and-other-injuries">4/ It&#8217;s good for sorting out a bad back &#8211; and other injuries</h2>



<p>Like I say, the Reformer was invented to sort out injuries, so it&#8217;s ideal if you have niggles to deal with. Runners, cyclists, people suffering with lower back troubles and the like are often advised by doctors to take up Reformer Pilates, due to its core strengthening benefits. The instructors always ask if you have any injuries at the start of the session, and offer alternatives if needed. Studio Pilates Exeter have just launched classes for pregnant women and postpartum mums.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-the-instructors-are-lovely">5/ The instructors are lovely</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/studiopilates-6.jpeg" alt="Studio Pilates Exeter" class="wp-image-68403" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/studiopilates-6.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/studiopilates-6-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/studiopilates-6-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/studiopilates-6-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While you have screens to follow while doing the exercises, every lesson is run by a trained instructor who goes around everyone to advise and adjust your poses. It&#8217;s amazing how just a tiny adjustment can make a huge difference to how difficult it is! A tiny move of the heel &#8211; and ooph! &#8211; yup, that&#8217;s doing something. I&#8217;ve been taught by male and female instructors, and they have all been lovely &#8211; zero flexing or machismo from the blokes &#8211; and they&#8217;re all really encouraging. It&#8217;s kinda like having a PT but at a fraction of the cost.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-no-trainers-needed-not-even-a-gym-bag">6/ No trainers needed &#8211; not even a gym bag</h2>



<p>All you need is a stretchy top and bottoms, and a pair of non-slip socks. Lots of people turn up ready to go in their gear, but on a couple of occasions I have booked a session when I have a meeting. I&#8217;ve just popped a tee and leggings in my handbag. No gymbag, no sweat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-it-doesn-t-make-you-hungry-not-even-me">7/ It doesn&#8217;t make you hungry (not even me!)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/studiopilates-skeleton.jpg" alt="Skeleton model in reception at Studio Pilates Exeter " class="wp-image-69605" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/studiopilates-skeleton.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/studiopilates-skeleton-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/studiopilates-skeleton-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/studiopilates-skeleton-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Unlike going for a run or doing 40 lengths at the pool, Reformer Pilates doesn&#8217;t drive you straight to the biscuit barrel afterwards. You just don&#8217;t need to refuel in the same way, meaning you won&#8217;t feel inclined to undo all that good work on a blueberry muffin a few hours later. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-you-don-t-need-to-be-a-member">8/ You don&#8217;t need to be a member </h2>



<p>At Studio Pilates Exeter, you just pay as you go. Buy a starter block of six sessions for £60, which includes your induction, and that&#8217;s it. But I guarantee, the results mean you will want to keep going. There&#8217;s also a really easy online booking system which takes seconds to book and loads of choice. </p>



<p><em>Not sure it&#8217;s for you? Try it for yourself for free! I am such a convert that I twisted the arm of Flick, the lovely &#8211; and of course, very lithe owner of Studio Pilates &#8211; to give away a starter block of 10 classes, worth £195, to one Muddy reader. Enter over on <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-studio-pilates-exeter-classes-worth-195/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy Reader Treats</a>.</em></p>



<p><strong><em>Find out more at <a href="https://www.studiopilates.com/studios/exeter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studio Pilates</a>, Unit 4, The Depot, Cheeke Street, Exeter, EX1 2FW. Tel: 07957 102132</em></strong></p>


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