Gently Fit Pilates
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
(3)
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
(3)
Since qualifying as a fitness instructor in 2003, I have been passionate in educating and passing on the benefits of the gentle and subtle movements of Pilates that are so effective in producing profound long term and sometimes life changing results.
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3 customer reviews
Helen Ablett
I started Pilates because of recurrent back issues. Problems started after the birth of my first child, but became exacerbated by the birth of my second, three years ago.
Jo is such a good instructor. There is no pressure and you are encouraged at all times to listen to your body, which is something I think we lose track of in our busy lives. I find myself using techniques I have learned on a daily basis and I am so much stronger in my core. I attend a chiropractor twice yearly for maintenance of my sciatica and back issues. Since attending Jo’s classes, my chiropractor is mighty impressed! My back muscle tone is visibly more defined, and I have much less ‘work’ that needs to be done at each appointment, as my core is stronger and supporting me better. I am very rarely in serious pain with my back now!
Jo’s classes are also attended by a diverse group of people. Men and women, all ages. We have great fun and often descend into the giggles. I enjoy challenging myself to do better and learn more about strengthening my body. The joy of Pilates is no competition, you are there for yourself and in our busy lives we do very little purely for self. Can’t recommend an hour at a class highly enough to lift your spirits!
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Julie Orton
Pilates with Joanna is all you need to keep your joints supple and improve your fitness. She is an excellent experienced tutor and her classes are always fun.
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Rosalind Aldred
Good for all abilities, age or gender, mixed with a little bit of fun.
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How do you help your clients achieve their fitness goals?
Once my clients have tried out a class and decided that they wish to continue, I ask them to commit to 6 sessions at first so that the benefits of Pilates can be realised. Pilates should not be offered on a "drop in" basis anywhere. An instructor should be aware of their numbers and the enrolled clients health history and particular issues. One class every 3 or 4 weeks is not going to "cut the mustard"!! We review every 6 weeks to see how it's going - if they wish I offer a 15 minute one to one "How am I doing" session.
What’s the secret to getting the body of your dreams?
Practice, perseverance & patience. It also helps if you are committed to trying it out for at least 6 weeks. Once a week with practice at home in between is fine but if you could do 2 classes a week that would be very beneficial
What do you love most about your job?
Helping people to change the way their body has reacted to movement for many years - to see he difference in how they hold their posture and become aware of the "mechanics" of their body. Ultimately to help relieve pain caused by poor posture and weak muscles - especially the core. To hear them say "I feel so much better since starting Pilates" is music to my ears.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I worked in an office all my working life since leaving school because it "just happened" and I didn't know what I wanted to do - as with most youngster we just don't know ourselves properly in our teens and early twenties. I started going to the gym regularly during my lunch hour and discovered a hereditary knee condition which meant I couldn't sustain too much high impact - and so I discovered Pilates. I did about 3 classes a week coupled with brisk walking 3 times a week and 1 Body Pump Class (weights work) and found it the perfect combination to fit around my busy life. My Pilates teacher encouraged me to train as a fitness instructor and I thought why not? I finally discovered in my late 30's what I wanted to do - rather ironic having been quite a lazy teenager!! So I went all in and trained to be a Personal Trainer and Pilates instructor with Nutrition and Pre and Post Natal qualifications bolted on. When my husbands job relocated down here on the South Coast we moved and I decided to set up Pilates Classes with a few to doing them after work part time but then, with the support of my husband and family I set up Gently Fit and vowed never to go back to the office again. 14 years later and here I am with 5 classes a week and several Personal Training clients a week. In my free time I walk the dog. Loving it !!
Why should our clients choose you?
All fitness instructors develop their own unique way of teaching. From my experience of teaching Pilates for 14 years I have come to realise that no person is the same and no person is the same in their selves every week. Therefore my classes have evolved into what I call Sequence Level Pilates. I encourage everyone in class to start in level 1 beginners with me - and only progress through the levels if they feel it is right for them today. I don't believe that anyone should go to an exercise class with an "advanced for me today" attitude. We need to listen to our body's - especially as we get older. Unfortunately that is a skill that we are not good at learning. Our brains still think we have the body of a 20 year ago and we push and push until the body says "forget it - I'm on strike" - which is when we find that aches and pains start hindering our daily activities. Learning Pilates with Gently Fit will help you to slow down and relax your mind - while doing something enjoyable and beneficial for your body!!
