"I Am Toned, Vital and Empowered" – How attending The Pilates Lab has Changed My Life
Published September 2024
At The Pilates Lab, we are committed to creating a space where clients can build strength and nurture their well-being. One of our clients, Hannah, has generously shared her experience, on how Reformer Pilates at our studio has impacted her daily life.
What is Reformer Pilates?
Reformer Pilates is a dynamic, full-body workout that offers a unique combination of strength, flexibility and balance. Using the Reformer machine, clients engage in a variety of controlled movements that challenge both the body and mind. Differing from mat Pilates, Reformer incorporates resistance provided by springs and pulleys on the Reformer machine.
This method enhances core stability, improves posture and increases overall strength, making it a powerful tool for injury prevention and rehabilitation. It’s also highly adaptable, allowing exercises to be modified for all levels of fitness and ability, meaning whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you’ll be challenged appropriately every session.
Why The Pilates Lab?
Speaking with Hannah, she says she was drawn to The Pilates Lab even before we opened our doors. Living close by, she watched the space come to life and was excited to see a Reformer studio opening in Epsom.
“When I realised it was going to be a Reformer studio, my first thought was, that is going to be a young woman in business and I will be supporting her… and my second thought was – I am going to build my strength there.”
Having come to over 100 classes since we opened in January 2024, Hannah describes the studio as a place that is “calm, focused, fun and welcoming.” She shares that she loves “so much!” about The Pilates Lab including “the commitment of instructors, the energy of attendees, the laughing, the options of exercises that are dependent not just on ability but how you are feeling that day.”
From the “extensive availability” of classes with over 30 hours on the timetable 7 days a week, to the cleanliness and the free “coffee for after,” she finds every visit a rewarding and motivating experience.
Hannah claims “I never feel bored.”
A Journey to Strength and Physical Confidence with Visible Results and Personal Growth
When Hannah first joined, her goals were clear: regain the strength she needed to care for her daughter, who has complex additional needs.
“Physically, the differences have been immense. When I started at The Pilates Lab, I hadn’t done any meaningful exercise for 3 years.” She noticed significant improvements in her balance, strength, and coordination class after class.
“I can now very confidently manage all aspects of her [daughters] physical care again – in and out of the car seat, up and down the stairs, in and out of the bath.”
The Pilates Lab, she says, has been “life-changing”.
Beyond achieving her initial goals, Hannah found the benefits exceeded her expectations. “My physique has inevitably changed. I am toned and feel vital and empowered.”
A key milestone in Hannah’s journey has been the visible changes in her body with “muscle definition across my whole body – my legs look incredible!”
Reformer: The Bridge Between using Fitness for Physical Health, Mental Clarity and Emotional Well-being
Discussing the emotional and mental clarity that comes from making classes an essential part of her daily routine. Hannah explains how “it gives me a sparkle in my veins that I have done something physical for myself before 8am and keeps me moving through the rest of the day.”
Reinforcing the role Reformer Pilates plays not just in fitness, but in maintaining and improving overall physical health. Hannah discovered that Reformer Pilates was more than just a workout—it was a form of care her body required. “I had visited both a physio and a chiropractor to help with some pain I was experiencing in my back. What surprised me was that many of the exercises they gave me were identical to the ones I was already doing at The Pilates Lab. It was a real validation of how effective the classes are for strengthening and healing the body.”
Alongside her physical transformation, Hannah noticed significant improvements in her mental health. “The 45 minutes I am in the studio I am focused, unable to think of anything else but what is immediately being asked of me.” For her, The Pilates Lab Studio provides a much-needed mental break, helping her clear her mind and start the day with a sense of purpose and clarity.
“This is a really positive way for me to start the day. I feel switched on cognitively and able to think clearly for the rest of the day. Consistently doing something for me and my mind makes a difference.”
Start Your Journey with The Pilates Lab
Hannah's story is a testament to how Reformer Pilates is not just about fitness—it’s about reclaiming physical autonomy and feeling strong and confident in your body. The Pilates Lab is proud to be part of her journey to strength and empowerment, and we are here to support her—and everyone who walks through our doors—every step of the way.
Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve your mental health, or simply enjoy a peaceful space to focus on yourself, The Pilates Lab is keen to support your goals. Our carefully designed classes, expert instructors, and warm community make this more than just a workout—it’s an investment in your well-being.
Book your first class today and experience it for yourself at The Pilates Lab.