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FAQs

What is Pilates

1. What is Pilates?
Answer: Pilates is an exercise system invented by the late Joseph Pilates emphasising on Contrology. It focuses on Mind-Body integration during movements.

2. What is the mechanism of the Pilates exercise system?

Answer: Our director (an exercise and sports scientist cum fully certified Pilates instructor) believes that Pilates majorly works by stimulating prefrontal cortex and motor cortex in the frontal lobe of our brain to activate neuromuscular junction between nerve and muscles in order to recruit the targeted muscles for intended movements.

3. How is the Mind-Body integration exercise system significant in terms of movement?

Answer: Research has shown that Mind-Body integration exercise system improves alpha brain wave generation which is believed to help practitioners to be more focused and aware in performing intended movements which, in turn, prevent unnecessary injuries and maximize workout performance efficiently.

4. Can Pilates help one to improve mental health?

Answer: Pilates breathing pattern (especially inhalation) which focuses on deeper and fuller breaths is helpful to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension. Research has shown that Pilates helps to improve happy hormones (especially serotonin, aka relaxation hormone) production in participants. It is also shown that Pilates helps in improving depression, anxiety, quality of life, feelings of fatigue and feelings of energy in various groups of people which include elderly citizens, cancer patients, individuals with multiple sclerosis etc.

5. Can Pilates help one to improve core muscle strength?

Answer: Pilates breathing pattern (especially exhalation) which focuses on deep core muscles (deep pelvic floor, multifidus, transversus abdominis and obliques muscles) activation is helpful in strengthening deep core muscles of the practitioners.

6. Can Pilates help in weight-loss?

Answer: Research has shown that Pilates helps in improving body composition profile. Some research shows significant reduction in body weight, basal metabolic index (BMI) and body fat percentage of the participants. A proper exercise program considering individualization, periodization, training variables on top of an effective dietary approach can improve the effectiveness of weight-loss programs.

7. Can Pilates help one to improve postural related issues?

Answer: Research has shown that Pilates helps to improve posture significantly. It helps to improve kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis, flat-back, sway-back and military postures. 

8. Is Pilates only for rehabilitation from injury? 

Answer: NO. Pilates is helpful in improving one’s overall fitness. Research has shown that Pilates helps to improve physiological parameters of participants which include flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. 

9. Can Pilates help athletes to improve athletic performance?

Answer: ABSOLUTELY YES. Research has shown that Pilates helps athletes to improve health- and sports-related fitness which include strength, agility, dynamic balance and coordination. In fact, many renowned world-class athletes e.g., Cristiano Ronaldo, Andy Murray, and Tiger Woods are practicing Pilates to improve athletic performance, recover from injury and / or prevent injury.

Who Needs Pilates

1. AGE GROUP
Is there any age limit to kickstart Pilates?

Answer: NO. Pilates is a low impact form of exercise. It is friendly to all age groups from as young as 4-5 years old (or even younger so long they can understand instructions and perform intended movements safely) to as long as one can live.

2. SEX
(a) Is Pilates only for women?

Answer: NO. This is a very common myth. Pilates was founded by late Joseph Pilates for both men and women.

b. Can men do Pilates?

Answer: ABSOLUTELY YES. There is a very common myth that Pilates is meant for women only. This is not true. Pilates was founded by late Joseph Pilates for both men and women.

c. PREGNANCY
1. Is Pilates safe for pregnant women?

Answer: Pilates is a low-impact exercise. It is generally safe to be practised during pregnancy from the second trimester onwards with a medical clearance from a physician / gynaecologist. However, every pregnancy is unique. Hence, for the safety of mamas-to-be and babies, we always ensure a medical clearance from medical professionals with dos and don’ts is obtained prior to Pilates sessions. 

d. MEDICAL / METABOLIC CONDITIONS

1. Can I do Pilates if I have back pain?

Answer: Pilates focuses on deep core muscles activation and strengthening. It is generally safe to be practised by individuals who experience back pain. Research has shown that Pilates is helpful in improving low back pain. Nevertheless, for safety purposes, for severe cases, a medical clearance from medical professionals with dos and don’ts will be obtained prior to Pilates sessions. 

2. Can I do Pilates if I have slipped discs?

Answer: Pilates is low in impact and focuses on Mind-Body integration and deep core muscles activation and strengthening. It is generally safe to be practised by individuals who experience slipped discs. Research has shown that Pilates is helpful in improving slipped discs. Nevertheless, for safety purposes, for severe cases, a medical clearance from medical professionals with dos and don’ts will be obtained prior to Pilates sessions. 

3. Can I do Pilates if I have joint pain or joint related conditions?

Answer: Pilates is low in impact and focuses on Mind-Body integration and postural muscles activation and strengthening. It is generally safe to be practised by individuals who experience joint conditions e.g., knee pain, wrist pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain etc. Research has shown that Pilates is helpful in improving joint pain. Nevertheless, for safety purposes, for severe cases, a medical clearance from medical professionals with dos and don’ts will be obtained prior to Pilates sessions. 

4. Can I do Pilates if I am overweight or obese?

Answer: Pilates is low in impact and focuses on Mind-Body integration and muscles activation and strengthening. It is generally safe to be practised by individuals who are overweight or obese. Research has shown that Pilates is helpful in improving body composition which includes a significant reduction in body weight, BMI and body fat percentage.

For other conditions, please contact us for consultation.

When and How to Begin Pilates Journey

a. TYPES OF CLASS

1. I am a beginner with no experience at all in doing Pilates exercises, how do I kickstart my Pilates journey to see quick results?

Answer: EASY! Check out our SIGNATURE HELLO PILATES session! It is a Personalised session with Assessments & Foundational Training to help you kickstart your Pilates journey! Another Good News is, you can grab it at a Super Discounted Promo Price (First-Timer Privilege)!

2. Should I join a Private, Duet, Semi-Private Group or a Bigger Group Class? 

Answer: There are a few factors to consider here:

Your goals:

(a)We have various experts in addressing your issues / goals.

(b) If you have medical / postural related issues / goals, you are highly recommended to take up some PRIVATE 1-to-1 sessions for full attention to get your issues / goals sorted before the next step.

(c) If you have a friend / partner / family member who will enjoy and be benefited in joining you for a session, improve bonding with, improve accountability to stay fit and healthy, DUET sessions may be ideal for you & your partner.

(d) If you have a few friends / partners / family members who will enjoy and be benefited in joining you for a session or if you do not mind joining some like-minded fit folks in a class with a more affordable price, SEMI-PRIVATE GROUP sessions (3  to 6 pax including you) may be the most ideal option for you.

(e) If you have more workout partners who will enjoy and be benefited in joining you for a session or if you do not mind joining some like-minded fit folks in a bigger class with the most affordable price, BIGGER GROUP sessions (6  to 12 pax including you) may be the most ideal option for you.


Your budget:

(a) If you do not have budget issues at all, and you intend to improve from your current condition the soonest, PRIVATE 1-to-1 sessions for full attention to get your issues / goals sorted is the most ideal option. Nevertheless, you may Mix and Match some Private / Duet / Group sessions according to instructors’ recommendation to achieve your goals at the most affordable price.

(b) If you have certain medical or postural related issues that you need to urgently address but you have budget issues, do not miss out the opportunity to grab our Super Discounted HELLO PILATES which is a PRIVATE 1-to-1 session to address your issues. Subsequently, you are highly recommended to take up some PRIVATE 1-to-1 sessions to fully focus on addressing your issue and once your issues and movement awareness has been improved, you then may be cleared to take up some SEMI-PRIVATE or BIGGER GROUP sessions at a more affordable price. Nevertheless, Your Safety always comes First!

(c) If budget is not really an issue for you but you intend to try out Pilates at a more affordable price as a start, we recommend you to come with one or a few workout partners or join other fit folks in Duet, Semi-Private Group or a Bigger Group sessions for you to experience Pilates first and decide for your next step. Mixing and Matching some Private / Duet / Group sessions may be ideal too for a wider spectrum of experience. 

3. How frequent should I attend the sessions?

Answer: It depends on your Goals, Current Fitness Level & Regime & Budget. Overall, based on exercise science’s point of view, to kickstart Pilates or any new form of exercise, 2 sessions per week with 3 to 4 days gap in between helps to learn new movements, improve movement awareness & coordination, and improve overall fitness level. It also allows time for the worked muscles to recover for the next session. Frequency can be increased when your fitness level has improved.

4. Is a Pilates session always expensive? 

Answer: It depends on how you view VALUE. Our Instructors are all highly professional and trained with legitimate international certifications under the supervision of our Director cum Principal Pilates Instructor, Ms Elaine Tan, who is a lecturer, international & national speaker, Fully Certified Pilates Instructor, who values heart-to-heart education and high standard service. Many of our clients had failed to look for a cure for their issues (that had been bothering them for years) after spending a massive amount of money but their issues were treated in just a matter of a few sessions by Ms Elaine Tan & our team with our professional knowledge and skills. Our clients believe that this is beyond monetary values. 

5. What are the expertises of the instructors in AOLove?

Answer: AOLove is equipped with experts in not merely Pilates focusing on improving postural related issues, spinal rehabilitation and deep core muscle strengthening but also:

  • Exercise Science

  • Sports Science

  • Rehabilitation

  • Physiotherapy

  • Athletic Performance

  • Weight-Loss and Fat-Loss

  • Mental Health Boost

  • Muscle Strengthening, Toning & Endurance Training

  • Immunity Boost and more

 

6. What workout equipment are there in AOLove?
Answer: AOLove is equipped with:

(a) FULL PILATES EQUIPMENT

  • Reformer

  • Cadillac

  • Stability Chair

  • Ladder Barrel

(b) OLYMPIC WEIGHT RACK

(c) TRX