Do you know what I love most about traditional strength training? It makes the invisible, visible. By breaking down each movement pattern and lifting intelligently, you are able to develop a narrative of your movement history. It could be the hours spent sitting and how this effects your hip flexors, the effect of past injuries on mobility or instability in specific regions of the body… lifting weights can really bring you back into the moment and allow you to feel what is really going on for you.

Unfortunately, many people rush into the gym, rush through their workout, pump out their sets and reps and go home.

Adding a Pilates practise to your weekly program could help to develop the foundation strength, core, shoulder and hip stability and range of movement you are missing. A regular Pilates class could in fact help to keep you injury free, moving at your best and more likely to hit PB’s next time you are lifting weights.

Over the last 12 months, I realised that lifting big is not the only way to get results. We can easily get preoccupied by chasing the numbers and personal best and be blinded to the see that you are in fact missing crucial foundations.

It was for this reason, I took the plunge to get qualified in mat Pilates. Every PT can ask their clients to do endless clams and sit ups, but this does not mean you are truly reaping the benefits of this powerful practice.

I know I am not the only one catching on to the benefits of Pilates. It seems that a new reformer studio is popping up almost on the daily.

But in a crowded market, here comes a reformer class with a difference.

Last week I was invited down to Melbourne’s first Lagree Fitness studio, K-Kore to celebrate the opening of their second studio on Russel Street in Melbourne’s CBD. After a little research I found out that Lagree fitness is a total body conditioning method created by Hollywood celebrity fitness guru, Sebastien Lagree, using the “Megaformer” to combine the benefits of Pilates, strength training and cardio in a single 45 minute workout.

‘Mega-what’??  If you have ever tried reformer Pilates, imagine the bed and then picture it 3 times bigger with both a front and back platform.

Being on a tight time, I dropped into a lunchtime express class. While many of the movements were similar to standard reformer, the intensity of the class was on OVERDRIVE.

For those not in the know, Pilates involves slow controlled movements using continuous and constant tension while smoothly transitioning from one exercise to the next.

After 45 minutes, I left the class literally dripping. Tracey, our instructor ensured that each rep was done under perfect tension. This class is not for the faint of heart, or a workout you would do on your rest day. But it certain was effective in targeting deep core and inner thighs.

If you are based in the CBD, consider how you spend your lunchtime. In 1 hour you could be back at your desk, after experiencing a full body workout that will leave you stronger and more focused for the afternoon.

K-Kore is currently running a special promotion for all new members to grab 3 class for $50.

Head to https://kkore.com.au/ for more information.