Tag Archive for: Pilates Coralville iowa

The #1 reason people don’t try Pilates

Could this “excuse” keep you from being healthier and happier?

“I am too out of shape to even try it!”  or “I tried a few of the moves at home and I can’t do them at all!”

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We don’t expect you to be able to do everything perfect on your first session (or even your 30th session)! 

Pilates at Rivercity Pilates is designed to take you from whatever level you are at (from a true to beginner to someone with years of experience) and give you the tools to take your Pilates practice to the next level.

Our experienced instructors, small group classes and private sessions create an environment that allows you to be comfortable learning, strengthening, stretching and balancing your body.

We want everyone to know that there are NO prerequisites to starting a Pilates fitness program.  The Pilates method of exercise is adaptable to any body of any size, shape, or physical condition.

You don’t need to be able to do a push up, touch your toes or even sit criss-cross applesauce with your legs to start Pilates!

Our instructors can create an exercise program individualized to your body that will leave you feeling energized, de-stressed, healthier and happier!

We also want you to know that Pilates is a method of exercise and not just a series of choreographed exercises.  What this means to you is that not every exercise is good for your body.  Every body has its own unique characteristics and your instructor will help you learn what types of movements and exercises will best benefit your individual body.

Starting a new exercise program can be very intimidating and we know that often the hardest part is that first step of getting started.  This is why at Rivercity Pilates we offer a no pressure, completely free private session for all of our new clients. We are passionate about the Pilates method of exercise and want as many people as possible to experience what it could do in your body and in your life.  This first session is a wonderful way for you to experience Pilates with us and see if it’s something you want to pursue.

Be sure to watch Audrey’s video to hear her talk about what scared her most about coming in to the studio and how she felt after she started!

Click here to get started at Rivercity Pilates and schedule your complimentary private Pilates session.  We look forward to seeing you at the studio!

Weight Management & Pilates

Have you ever heard anyone say, “I do Pilates to lose weight and keep it off”?  Probably not, and here’s why:
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The Pilates method of exercise encompasses so much more than physical exercise and physical benefits!  Even if you started practicing Pilates to drop some pounds, usually the transformation that happens by practicing Pilates is so much bigger than weight loss that you forget to even mention it when you’re chatting with your friends about the benefits of your Pilates practice!

Those who have started on their Pilates journey often find :

  • Their body feels better when they practice on a regular basis( and reminds them when they don’t)
  • Their clothes fit better and they are buying smaller sizes(whether or not the number on the scale has moved or not)
  • They are calmer and feel less stressed out all the time
  • They enjoy working out and learning about how their body moves
  • They are learning to appreciate their body and what it can do without worrying about a number on a scale   ***This is huge and will affect your overall life happiness by leaps and bounds
  • They are happier
  • They LOVE Pilates but often can’t put into words exactly why!( Which is quite frustrating to their friends and family who want to learn about this Pilates magic that has transformed their life!)

The Pilates method of exercise ties together controlled, precise, balanced movement that not only exercises your body but also challenges your mind and spirit to become the best you ever!

It’s a well known fact that many people lose weight and inches by regularly practicing Pilates, but honestly it’s usually not the reason someone continues to practice.  If you are tired of looking for that quick fix to lose weight but know you would benefit from adding a regular exercise program to your life- then give Pilates a try!

Sign up for a complimentary private session ar Rivercity Pilates today and learn more about what Pilates can do for you!

Can exercise be enjoyable??

How do you feel about exercise?  Is it something you enjoy and look forward to?  Or do you think of it as a chore, something you know you should do, but not necessarily something you want to do?

At Rivercity Pilates we believe that movement and exercise should be fun and enjoyable.  Exercise should be something you look forward to and something that leaves you feeling energized, accomplished and ready to face the rest of your day!

As instructors some of our most memorable moments are when our new clients are introduced to the Pilates work and have the realization that they are enjoying what they are doing and they actually are looking forward to their next session or class!

Rivercity Pilates client & instructor, Kimberly Burke, when talking about why she does Pilates, stated,” My mood is always better after class- even when I start out happy, I get more so.”

For many people, there is a belief that exercise has to be miserable and that if you aren’t dripping in sweat, huffing and puffing with muscles that are so sore you can’t walk up the steps, then it’s not doing you any good.

At Rivercity Pilates we know that this is not true and we would love to prove it to you!  We offer a complimentary private session to ALL of our new clients so you can experience the Pilates difference yourself!

Rivercity Pilates client Michelle Johnson, was asked what she would say to someone who was thinking of starting Pilates and here’s what she said, “I encourage everyone to try Pilates.  Pilates is gentle, progressive and movements are performed slowly so you learn to do each exercise precisely.  There is something for everyone and it will improve how you feel. You will walk away from every class feeling motivated and wanting to come back again.”

If you’re ready to find an exercise and movement program you LOVE contact us to set up your complimentary session.  We would love to share our passion for Pilates with you!

Could you feel results after only 1 Pilates session?

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One of the most common questions I hear on a client’s second visit, goes something like this:

“I felt really great after our session. I felt taller and my posture was better. My ______________(fill in the blank with an achy body part like low back, shoulder, neck, foot, etc.) seems to be feeling better . . . could that really have been just from that one session?”
My simple answer: YES!

Here’s why:

The exercises you did in your first session were taught in a way unique to your body.  Your teacher took time to learn what was going on in your body at the beginning of your session by going through your health intake form and asking you questions about your movement time in your life.  After learning about you, your teacher taught a session that was designed to help your body stretch the muscles that were tight and strengthen the muscles that were weak or underdeveloped.  Doing these exercises tailored to your body resulted in your body practicing great alignment and had your body working in a really balanced way.  When you do this…your body appreciates it and you’ll know it because you actually feel better…even after just one session!! 

Wondering if that feeling better in your body after your first session will continue? It absolutely will!  Every time you practice Pilates you will be repeating this process of strengthening your underdeveloped muscles, stretching your tight muscles and bring your body closer and closer to your ideal, balanced alignment and posture! 

Like anything though…the more you practice Pilates the more you may take for granted how much it is helping you and not be so aware of it after each session.  Many of our clients comment to us that they forget how much their Pilates practice helps them feel better in their body until something happens in their life that they end up taking a few weeks off.  Clients comment that they can just feel a difference in their body, even after just a week or two.  Luckily, as soon as they get back to their movement time the “feel better” results come right back!

Ready to try an exercise method that gives you results every time you practice it?  Click here to read more about our complimentary first session or click here to set up a time for your first session!  

What to Expect in Your First Private Session

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Many people have never worked one on one with a movement or exercise  instructor and have some misconceived ideas about what a one on one Pilates session will be like.  Let me put to rest some of your fears!  If you’ve been watching the Biggest Loser we may have some work to do:) Or maybe you’ve heard horror stories of people doing personal training and being so sore they can’t even walk the next day or lift their arm to brush their teeth?  That is something you will not experience after a session at Rivercity Pilates!

Today I’m going to walk you through your first Pilates private session at Rivercity Pilates. (P.S.- this session is free so definitely take advantage of it!)

  1. When you arrive at the studio we’ll give you a tour of our space.  We’ll show you where you can put your coat, shoes, and gear, point out the restrooms, show you our massage room and our two spacious studio rooms that we use for private sessions and small group classes.
  2. If you haven’t already filled out our new client paperwork we’ll have you fill out our health intake and other preliminary forms.  The health intake form in particular is very important to us.  Your instructor will start your session by sitting with you and going over your health history and discussing how it effects your exercise program.  As instructors we want to help you create a Pilates practice that meets your goals and is safe for your body!
  3. After we’ve learned a little bit more about you, your instructor will start by sharing a little more in depth about the history of Pilates and what and how we teach the Pilates Method at Rivercity Pilates.  We find that learning Pilates is a process and teaching the “why” behind the method is important when helping others create a Pilates practice in their life.
  4. Whether you have been practicing Pilates for years or a brand new beginner we will start the movement portion of your session by teaching the Pilates fundamentals in your body.  The Pilates fundamentals are the building blocks of every exercise and movement we do in Pilates and it’s important to us that you understand them as they are used over and over again in your Pilates practice.  These fundamentals include the concepts of breathe, engaging your deep abdominal muscles, how to stabilize your hips and shoulders and more.  We’ll tailor the exercises we use to teach these ideas to your body and move at a level appropriate for you.
  5. After we teach you the fundamentals and have had some time to work with you and see how your body moves we’ll introduce you to some Pilates exercises that are appropriate for your body.  We often like to let you experience exercises that are considered Mat work (just using your own body for resistence) as well as letting you experience exercises on some of the traditional Pilates equipment such as the Univeral Reformer, the Cadillac or the Pilates Wunda Chair.
  6. We’ll wrap up your session with some time to talk about what we did and give you an opportunity to ask questions.  Your instructor can help to explain the different ways you can learn and practice Pilates and give suggestions as to what might be best for your body.

Our goal during your first session is to start the teaching process and help you decide whether you want to pursue a Pilates practice.  Your session will be a combination of discussion and movement.  Will you be sore the next day?  You might be.  Often when you are learning a new movement and engaging new muscles you’ll feel it the next day- but in a good way!  You’ll know you did something different but no need to worry about being so sore that you can’t function!!

Ready to try a complimentary session?  Click here to find a time that works best in your schedule!  We look forward to meeting you!

Happy, successful people create these 2 habits in their life!

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Do you ever look at those successful, happy people who seem to be doing it all in life and doing it well and wonder how do they do it?  How can I have what they have?

I do and I’ve made it part of my journey to take notice and even study the lives and patterns of those people who have what I strive for in life.  The two habits that I see over and over again are physical exercise and “me” time.  No matter how busy these highly successful people are they find time to exercise their bodies and renew their soul.   Many times this is a daily exercise routine, meditation, a time to read, and simply time to relax on a daily basis.

What amazes me is that these people have the same amount of time in the day as you and me yet they manage to accomplish extraordinary things AND carve out time for themselves and their bodies.  In fact when I talk to these happy, successful people they often credit their successes in life to these habits that they’ve incorporated into their life.  They will also be the first to tell you that it’s not always easy to find that time but the results have made it “not an option” but a requirement in their life.

So all of this is great to hear, but how do you incorporate it into your life?  My suggestion is to start small and doable.  Can you get up a half hour early everyday and add 15 minutes of Pilates, Yoga, Stretching, Cardio  or even meditation to your life?  Create a small doable goal and do it consistently(everyday) for at least 2 months.  Yes, I said  2 months.   If you get to the place where you can add more time- great!  That’s it…see where it takes you and let us know how it changes you!!

CareyIMG_2781-1 Sadler is the owner of Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty Iowa. Carey is a PMA Certified Pilates instructor who has been teaching Pilates since getting her comprehensive certification from Body Precision Studios in 2001.  Before that Carey was a personal trainer, a chemical engineer and a volleyball player!  Carey’s love of health, movement and happiness have lead her to open her Pilates studio and continue her passion of living life to the fullest!  She is a wife and  a mom of 3 energetic children as well as a spunky cat and dog.