A couple of years ago, when HerCanberra was just a baby, we embarked on an ambitious “Summer Shape-Up” series, where we partnered with local fitness providers to give you the opportunity to try new activities in a friendly and welcoming environment. It was hugely popular and culminated in a mass workout with nearly 100 participants at stage 88. Well, we’re doing it again…but this time it’s a little different.

Each week throughout Spring and Summer, we will bring you a different fitness ‘roadtest’, an article designed to give you a real woman’s view of  activity on offer. We’ll tell you about our experience, and what you can expect, and – best of all – we’ll give you a chance to try it for free or at a discounted rate. Kicking off the series for 2013 is iThrive Pilates…

Imagine your first time trying out a new group fitness class at your gym. As you enter the large fitness studio, you look around you at the dozens of toned, lean crop-top clad women, muscles bulging as they adjust their weights. Your pulse quickens as you begin to wonder who you’ll be able to ask for help, given the volume of the class in comparison to the single instructor standing at the front. As you take your place and begin, you feel unsure as to whether you’re using the right technique, out of sync with the other more experienced participants, and second-guessing your capabilities. You leave feeling far worse than when you walked in, feeling confident only in the decision that you won’t be signing up for that experience again any time soon.

iThrive Pilates is the antithesis of this experience. I was lucky enough to sample two classes: both the level one introductory class, as well as the more advanced level two class. I can confidently say that it the least intimidating, most supportive group fitness experience I’ve had to date, and that I’d recommend the classes to everyone, from those looking to take their first steps on their fitness or rehabilitation journey, to the most seasoned of gym bunnies.

As I walked into the Italo-Australian Club in Forrest, I was greeted by the lovely instructor Laura Kavanagh. First and foremost a soft tissue therapist, Laura has a deep understanding of the human body, particularly when it comes to musculoskeletal injuries. In fact, experiencing a lower back injury herself was what inspired Laura to become a Pilates instructor.

“It was from working and leaning over massage tables, and also spending a lot of time on my bike during the weekends. I suddenly found myself unable to work and going through a cycle of getting injured and then getting better, only to find myself injured once again. Starting Pilates was what helped me break that cycle,” she says.

If you’ve experienced injury yourself, I can’t recommend iThrive highly enough. It’s not only Laura’s expertise that makes the classes special, but also the high level of attention that each participant receives. There were only three or four students in the classes that I attended, and Laura aims to keep class numbers below ten.

“I really care about the quality level,” she explains. “A lot of people that come into our classes have come from injury, and so they need the amendments and the extra attention”.  And each individual certainly receives the attention. Although at times I had my eyes closed, or my face against the mat, I was always aware that Laura had her eye on me, closely watching my form. She provides gentle guidance; adjusting your poses or showing you exactly which muscles should be activated

Laura also takes the time to thoroughly explain each pose, not only demonstrating herself but also teaching you the anatomical terminology and correctional terms. Her instructions are easy to follow: “Imagine there’s a 50 cent piece just bellow your belly button” she says gently, “and it’s burning hot”. Immediately I engaged my abs and sucked in my tummy. Her directions and guidance really help in giving you confidence and understanding the correct way in safely and effectively moving your body.

Confidence, Laura says, is one of the many things that women can gain from the classes, especially those who are just starting or recovering from an injury.

“It’s about learning to move again, learning to move well and being able to exercise in a way that’s going to improve your health rather than being afraid of re-injuring or doing yourself harm,” she says. Other benefits include gaining grace and poise, as well as better posture.

“What you learn in Pilates translates to pretty much anything you do – the way you hold yourself and therefore present yourself to the world, your posture at work, at your desk or in the car, to the way your body performs under pressure – be that in your sport or playing with your kids” she says.

I can testify to this – from the moment I left the class I’ve noticed myself slouching and constantly remind myself to sit up straight and engage my tummy muscles, and I’m feeling so much better for it. I haven’t missed that constant pain in between my shoulder blades from slouching over my laptop, although I am feeling a new soreness in my muscles!

Laura also makes sure that you get a great workout. More than a few times she gave me little adjustments to make the exercises more challenging for my muscles. By the end of our level two class I found my arms shaking and my abs trembling. For those who have an existing exercise regime, it would be a great addition – not only for the strength and conditioning element but also because it’s a great way to stretch out your muscles and gain awareness of your posture during training. As a runner, I often get sore hips and calves, but by the end of the classes I was pain free (save for that delicious muscle soreness you get after a challenging workout).

There’s also a wonderful social element to iThrive. The participants are warm, friendly and supportive. I immediately felt comfortable and was able to chat and have a laugh with the other women in the room. You can see why these women continue to come back every week.

Laura says, “We’ve had clients in the past who are suffering from various conditions where there aren’t a lot of activities that they can do comfortably, but our gentle level 1 courses allow them to come to class and get that all important movement therapy, as well as and have a chat and a bit of a laugh. If they’ve had a bad day they get support from everyone around them, and generally will walk out of here feeling a whole lot better than when they came in. I love seeing that”.

iTHRIVE’S OFFER FOR HERCANBERRA READERS

iTHRIVE are offering HerCanberra readers the chance to try their first class absolutely free!

Love it, and you can enrol in the current term and get six weeks of classes for just $100 (that’s a saving of $50) OR enrol in the current term and receive a FREE 1 hour private session including Postural Analysis and Strength and Stability Assessment. Find out what your physical vulnerabilities are AND how to address them!  Injury prevention GOLD – includes personalised instructional video of prescribed exercises (normally over $100).

The term kicks off next Monday, 14 October – in line with school terms.

For more information or to book into a course email laura@ithrive.net.au

the essentials

What: iThrive Pilates
When: Classes run four days per week. See website for timetable.
Where: Cultural Room, Italo-Australian Club, 78 Franklin Street, Forrest.
Web: ithrive.net.au
Contact: laura@ithrive.net.au