Therapist-led Pilates at Thrive Studio in Broadstone combines Pilates teaching with therapy qualifications. An optional assessment before class helps us understand what may be causing your pain, and the results are integrated into small Mat work or Full Equipment classes for people with pain or injury.
If you have ever been recommended a Pilates class to help with pain, it can be difficult to know which class to choose. Most people make the mistake of thinking all Pilates classes are the same.
In this blog, we show how our Pilates teaching and therapy qualifications are integrated into our Pilates classes in Broadstone, to help people who want to use Pilates for pain and injury.
What is therapist-led Pilates?
Therapist-led Pilates integrates clinical knowledge of pain and injury into a Pilates class. The exercises are tailored to each person’s clinical needs, instead of everyone doing the same selected exercises.
Therapist-led Pilates is different to standard Pilates classes. Instead of using the class as another simple form of exercise, we integrate our therapy qualifications and skills to give a more specific, targeted approach. In our experience, this helps achieve better results for individuals and can reduce the risk of Pilates aggravating pain and injury.
I have been a Pilates instructor for over 15 years. I am fully qualified in Mat work Pilates and Full Equipment Pilates, an in-depth qualification that took over three years to complete. I also hold a full Level 5 qualification in movement therapy, a skill that uses assessment to help identify injury and pain, which can then be integrated into your classes.
If you are attending Pilates to help with pain, I would look for an instructor who:
- holds a high-level qualification in both Mat work and Full Equipment Pilates (not just Reformer), instead of Mat Pilates alone
- has an extra qualification in therapy. I would recommend a Level 5 course as a minimum, studied for at least two years
This is why in our studio we keep numbers low and focus on instructors with therapy-based and Full Equipment qualifications. We also don’t focus on the Reformer alone, because that limits the exercises and movements you can do.
What happens in a therapist-led Pilates assessment?
Our assessment has three steps: a full case history, a movement assessment and special tests. It gives us a much better understanding of what is potentially causing your pain.
The full assessment before class is one of the most important factors if you are attending Pilates for pain. Without it, we find the instructor is simply guessing which exercises might be good for you, which increases the risk of more pain.
- Case history. We go into detail about your pain: how long you have had it, when it started, what caused it, what makes it better, what makes it worse, and how it affects your lifestyle, occupation and sporting activities. This builds a good picture of exactly what we need to assess.
- Movement assessment. Based on your case history, we carry out muscle and joint testing. This helps identify any limitations that can be contributing to your pain and need addressing.
- Special tests. These help identify anything that might need further investigation. We have a number of good healthcare professionals we can refer you on to if anything shows up.
Do I need an assessment to join a class?
No. An assessment is completely optional.
People often choose to have one first if they are attending a class to help with pain and want to reduce the risk of Pilates causing them pain. An assessment is also used by people who want better results from their Pilates, because it gives more accurate information about what they need.
How does the assessment change my class?
The assessment tells us which exercises you need. We then put these into your class, or adapt the class exercises for you.
After the assessment, we have a lot more information to work out what you need to be doing in a Pilates class. If the class is doing an exercise that isn’t suitable for you, we give you a variation of that exercise to make it more suitable.
How many people are in a class?
We take a maximum of 8 people in a Mat work Pilates class and 4 in a Reformer/Full Equipment class.
The number of participants is one of the most important aspects of a Pilates class for pain. It is vital that this number is kept low, so the instructor can keep an eye on every class member, give everyone individual attention and adapt exercises for individuals.
We take fewer people in a Reformer class because the instructor should be the only person setting up and changing the equipment. It should never be left to participants. Incorrect set-up can cause accidents, and it can also cause pain (for example too many springs, not enough springs, or the wrong positioning of the equipment).
Who is therapist-led Pilates for?
Therapist-led Pilates is for people who want help with pain, people managing their pain, and dancers.
- People who are trying to get help with pain
- People who are managing their pain and taking an active approach to stop it coming back
- Professional dancers and dancers progressing into college. They usually attend to help with performance-related pain where there has been no specific injury, or to improve their performance
Pilates for back pain
If you have back pain, whether it’s recent or something that keeps coming back, an optional assessment lets us understand your movement before you start. Your exercises are then adapted in our small classes. If anything needs further investigation, we’ll refer you to the right healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reformer Pilates suitable if I’m in pain?
It can be, if three things are in place. We recommend an instructor with extensive additional qualifications (at least Level 5), a class small enough for individual attention and adaptations, and sessions that aren’t Reformer-only, as the other equipment offers more variety for alternative exercises.
What’s the difference between Mat and Equipment Pilates?
Mat Pilates is carried out on the floor using bodyweight only. Equipment Pilates uses spring-loaded equipment, which is much better for adapting exercises because the springs can be lightened or increased. Equipment exercises are also closed chain, which gives more feedback and control and makes it easier to stay within your limits.
Can I try a class first?
Yes. We offer a 3-class trial pack for both Full Equipment classes and Mat work classes.
Where is Thrive Studio?
Thrive Studio is just off the high street in Broadstone, in a purpose-built Pilates studio and therapy centre with treatment rooms. The address is 12 York Road, Broadstone, BH18 8ET.
How do I book?
You can book an assessment or a trial pack online, or by contacting us. If you would like to save money with a monthly membership compared with pay-as-you-go classes, please contact us to check for spaces.
Book your therapist-led Pilates class in Broadstone
Thrive Studio, 12 York Road, Broadstone, BH18 8ET
Related reading: Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: Causes, Recovery and Rehab Using Pilates Reformers in Broadstone
Alex Moore has been a Pilates instructor for over 15 years, mainly teaching private small group Mat classes and Full Equipment classes. His niche is classes that integrate his skills as a Pilates instructor and a fully qualified therapist, and he is a member of the Sports Therapy Association. He has also worked extensively with professional dancers and has provided Sports Massage to the cast of a number of theatre shows during their runs.
