You can find the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions below. If you have other questions please send us an email or call (86) 21 – 52385750
Actually Pilates is a name we use because it is now an established 'style or form' of exercise and it helps for people to get an initial idea of what the studio offers. However we much prefer the terms 'Functional and Corrective Exercise'. If it is good for you, it's safe and it works then we are going to use it regardless of which terminology it came from. The Studio Equipment however which was originally designed by Joseph Pilates and remains pretty well much unchanged to this day was just way, way ahead of it's time and today has been recognised as being one of the safest and most effective forms of exercise for rehabilitation and improved sports performance.
At Bodyworks we also understand that sometimes you may just want to 'switch off' and lose yourself in an intensive 'core' conditioning or cardio workout.
Anyone who wants to ! Preferably persons who are 'serious' about :
- Getting rid of pain - chronic or acute - especially back pain
- Improving sports performance
- Wanting to start an exercise routine but don't know where to begin.
- Learning more about their own bodies.
All of our instructors have received training from internationally certified organisations. In addition to this they have all completed the Bodyworks Foundations of Anatomy for Movement - a unique and comprehensive learning of muscle and connective tissue function and the only one of it's kind in Asia. The instructors have also completed an additional 100 + hrs training in Functional and Corrective Exercise movement. Many of the teachers have completed courses in non invasive structural modalities such as Fascial Release and Strain Counterstrain and Muscle Energy. This makes the services and abilities of the instructors at Bodyworks unique and the only one of it's kind in Asia (and possibly the world ...?).
We encourage all persons to take an introductory one-on-one session before taking group classes. This is to ensure participants have at least a basic understanding of the principles involved behind the exercises, especially the Reformer classes, not only for safety but also to ensure you gain the maximum benefit from your sessions. In actual fact the majority of persons who take the intro class immediately decide to take a further 10 sessions after realising just how much 'knowledge' must be applied to the movements.
It can be said that 'any movement is better than no movement', however it should also be noted that there is such a thing as 'quality movement'. In other words one may ask 'what is the most economical way to achieve this movement with maximum benefit in the safest manner possible with as little effort as possible' ? When performed in this manner you will perceive an increase strength, flexibility, muscular endurance and ease of movement which would be beneficial for sports improvement and pain relief. However we generally need to have a level of conscious understanding of this before making it a more natural or habitual movement. Personal Training sessions are a great way to accelerate the body's learning process and understand mentally and physically what is required for safe efficient movement. Thus we quite often quote the following :
- When you arrive you are 'unconsciously incompetent'
- You then become 'aware' or 'consciously incompetent'
- You then become 'consciously competent'
- You then seek to become 'unconsciously competent'
The above process may take anywhere from 5 mins to a lifetime !
All the exercises are performed without shoes. Socks are optional and you should wear loose comfortable clothes similar to going to the gym or doing yoga.
We supply all the equipment needed however you need to bring your own 'workout' clothes. Water and showering facilities including fresh towels are also provided.
The philosophy behind corrective and pilates type exercises is to gain maximum benefit with as little effort as possible !! This may go against the train of thought that most people have when it comes to exercise. However one needs to remember that these are essentially non 'cardio' or 'aerobic' exercises although we do provide these at Bodyworks. That being said it can be really surprising just how much effort can be used when trying not to use effort !
We are located at the edge of the French Concession in Downtown Shanghai near the junction of Huashan Rd / ChangLe Rd / and Zhenning Rd and very close to the junction of Yanan Rd.
