Frequently Asked Questions
Gain even more from your sessions at Pulse.
Here are some frequently asked questions.
What is Pulse Pilates?
Pilates is a great way to improve strength, flexibility and endurance through the activation of core stability muscles. This stress relieving form of exercise is taught on both mat and equipment. We have a fully equipped studio at Red Hill which enables instructors to teach a wide variety of Pilates exercises, giving clients maximal results from each session.
At Pulse we instruct with a clinical approach to Joseph Pilates' original exercise method. With a back ground in Physiotherapy, our comprehensive understanding of the body enables the Pulse Pilates method to improve general fitness or assist injury rehabilitation in an efficient manner.
The instructors at Pulse Pilates utilize modern concepts in injury rehabilitation and exercise science to achieve a contemporary, safe and efficient form of Pilates exercise. Many clients receive a combination of hands-on physiotherapy and Pilates based exercise therapy to thoroughly rehabilitate injuries, where others simply engage in both traditional and modified forms of the Pilates technique to shape up!
What are the benefits of Pulse Pilates?
- Efficient injury recovery
- Increased body tone
- Improved Posture
- Increased Abdominal Strength
- Increased Core Stability at joints
- Further Prevention of Injury
- Improved Balance, Co-ordination and Flexibility
- Stress Reduction
- Improved General Fitness
- Improved Bone Mass
Is Pilates Resistance based Exercise?
At Pulse, we utilize either your own body resistance or spring resistance to improve muscular tone and define your body shape. The spring resistance applied by each Pilates machine is partial load with no impact, which means you get all the benefits of resistance based exercise, without the injuries! Each Pilates exercise is focused on activating stability muscles which control each joint in the body. This will improve your body awareness and postural control.
How often do I need to practice?
At Pulse, we recommend you perform Pilates 2 – 3 times a week. This may mean that you attend 1 – 2 mat/equipment classes per week and then train at home 1 -2 a week. Many clients enjoy the variety of classes at Pulse, and choose to attend three times weekly to achieve their maximal results. We have started a “Concession Credit” package to help streamline your exercise. Simply purchase credit at the front desk and then attend as many classes as you like during the week!
How long before I start seeing results?
Depending upon your goals, clients who attend Pilates classes weekly will start to see results very quickly, even within 4 weeks. Clients describe a change in their abdominal strength after one month of regular Pilates and within 8 - 12 weeks a change within their body shape, tone and flexibility.
How can Pilates help my injury?
At Pulse we treat a wide variety of injuries, utilizing our Physiotherapy background to approach each injury in a comprehensive manner. With an accurate diagnoses and treatment plan we facilitate an efficient recovery with the use of both manual therapy and modified Pilates exercise.
Pilates is particularly useful in injury rehabilitation to help activate local core muscles and stabilize both spinal and peripheral joints. By reducing the local stress of joints within the body, and enhancing muscle activation and tone, both pain and stiffness can be markedly reduced.
Patients with ongoing low back and neck pain have experienced remarkable improvements in their spinal pain through simple Pilates based exercises at Pulse. We teach patients not only how to reduce their pain through exercise, but how to manage this and prevent further ongoing recurrences.
What is the difference between Yoga and Pilates?
In many ways Pilates conditioning is like yoga. Both are considered mind-body type methods of movement and both emphasize controlled breathing with smooth, long movements that encourage your muscles to relax and lengthen. The difference is that while yoga requires moving from one static posture to the next without repetitions, Pilates flows through a series of movements that are more dynamic and systematic.
What is an Exercise Physiologist (EP)?
Exercise Physiologists study human movement and the physiology of the human body. They learn how to test and improve the cardiovascular fitness and the muscular strength, endurance and flexibility of a person in health. They also learn how medical conditions alter these processes and how exercise needs to be modified to help a person benefit from safe exercise. The degree is an undergraduate university course over 3 years. Lizzie Urquhart at Pulse has studied to a Masters level. She specialises in cardiovascular health, neurological injury, diabetes and weight management.
How can an Exercise Physiologist help me?
An EP will provide an exercise prescription once an injury has been stabilised. For example following frozen shoulder, a sprained ankle or a torn muscle. EPs can also work in tandem with a Physio if the condition is long term, such as chronic lower back pain or osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. The combinations of exercises prescribed are derived from medical research and clinical testing but are tailored to suit your own needs and goals.
An EP can act as a bridge between Personal Trainers and Physiotherapists following an injury so talk to Lizzie Urquhart for a program to get you back at the gym or back on the golf course. It’s also recommended you have an EP prescribe you a pre-gym or pre-season sporting program if you are taking medication, have a medical condition or have had a long absence from exercise.
I’ve tried Pilates before in the gym and didn’t really like it?
Many clients attend Pulse Pilates after trying gym Pilates previously. There are many differences between attending a session at Pulse and a session at the gym. At Pulse each instructor has undergone intensive Pilates training. They are either Physiotherapists or Exercise Physiologists with certification in the Pilates method. Their understanding of Pilates therefore far exceeds a gym instructor who takes many different types of classes every day.
At Pulse, our class sizes are always small. This allows each instructor to understand the needs of each client and modify the exercise to suit these needs. Clients are asked to attend an initial Pilates appointment which enables the instructor to identify any injuries or areas of concern which will influence the type and level of Pilates that you participate in. It also gives us an opportunity to find out a little more about your goals so that we can prescribe a workout which is perfect for you!
What do I need to bring to my Pilates session?
We ask that you bring a towel and socks to maintain studio hygiene. Wear comfortable clothing that you can exercise in. You do not need to wear joggers or bring a mat. If you like please bring your own water bottle, however, water is provided.
How long does each session go for?
In general, most sessions extend for 60 minutes. However, many clients attend for regular 30 – 45 minutes workouts, depending upon their daily schedule. We ask that you perform 30 minutes of Pilates 3 times a week to start seeing results quickly.
If you have any further questions that you would like answered, please do not hesitate to contact us on admin@pulsephysio.com.au or call Sarah or Jannah on (07) 3876 3747. We would be more than happy to assist you further.
