Pushing the Limits at Club Pilates!
For my second week of trying new workout studios, I tried out Club Pilates Waco. It is a little farther from campus, near the Richland Hills area. Like Pure Barre, they offer a free introduction class. There were about ten other people in my class.
Right when I walked in, the studio was a little chaotic. There were many people and little room as people were trying to leave the previous class. After getting into the workout area, we got a little studio tour. The instructor, Beth, gave a rundown of all the equipment we would use.
Courtesy of Club Pilates Waco
*Picture above is the studio and the equipment, including the Reformer.
Every person has their station, consisting of the Reformer, mat, springboard, and weights. The Reformer was very intimidating because it looked very complex.
As Beth explained the warm-up, using your legs to slide up and down on the Reformer, I felt I was doing it wrong. She gave me one minor correction, but I still did not feel confident in my form. At different points on the Reformer, on the foot bar, she would want us to "perch." What she meant was rising to your tippy toes.
We then moved to the mat and did push-ups and crunches. After she explained the bar and we got up to do some stretches. To wrap up the workout, you go back to the Reformer. At the end of the machine, there are these loops you stick your feet through and pull yourself through using your leg strength.
One plus about Club Pilates is the 10% student discount. For one class, the cost is $25, and the class lasts for about an hour. For $85, you can get four classes that expire at three months' end. They also have an unlimited class membership, called the passport membership, where you can go to any Club Pilates studio in the country.
They have a passport membership because even though Club Pilates has multiple locations, your membership or class pack does not transfer. You can only use it at the studio you purchased it.
Also, there are multiple different types of classes. Mine was the "Reformer Flow," a beginner's class. Other, more challenging classes require permission from the instructor to join.
I liked the atmosphere at Club Pilates Waco, but I don't see myself returning here. The Reformer was very complex, and I didn't gain anything from the workout. As I said, I was not getting the needed corrections throughout the workout.
Even though I don't feel this is the workout for me right now, Beth said it takes time to get used to the movements on the Reformer. I recommend this studio if you want to be consistent in learning Pilates.
