For members of BFC, all Pilates services, massage appointments, and small group classes are offered with discounts. For non-members, this is an opportunity to have access to the best training facility and instructors in the Low Country without having to sign a membership to the Club.

Because of the training nature of the studio, members and non-members will have access to the studio and its specialized equipment only if they are with a trainer, participating in a small group class or renting apparatus time.

We must enforce this policy for the safety of our members and trainers. Pilates training using reformer equipment is a extremely specialized form of exercise. Supervision is a necessity.

WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates, named for its creator, Joseph Pilates, is a combination of eastern exercise philosophies revolving around the importance of breathing, mind-body connection in order to learn discipline and control, yoga-like flexibility, with western ideals of muscle development for sports and life. The two essentials elements of Pilates are exercises to develop what is called the POWERHOUSE, the muscles of the abdominal area, mid and low back, and upper gluts in order to provide balance and stability, and to create the best spine flexibility achievable to maintain youth and reduce stress. 

WHAT ARE THE EXERCISES?

There are over 500 exercises in the Pilates Method. After all, Joseph Pilates started designing this work out program while just a child and he lived to be 87!

The basic exercises are done on the floor with a mat. They are broken into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, and once you learn the proper forms, you can do these exercises anywhere and anytime.

SO WHY IS EQUIPMENT NEEDED?

Joseph Pilates discovered that many people were not able to perform many of the mat exercises, simply because they did not have the core strength, flexibility, and stabilization strength to accomplish them. As a result he developed apparatus that were designed to assist the exerciser to develop the muscle strength and flexibility needed to work on the mat at the advanced level.

The Springs were created by Joseph Pilates and used when working with hospital patients during World War I. They teach you to hold the Powerhouse in place. The Springs are most frequently used for stretching, articulating and stabilizing the spine.

The Ladder Barrel is used to develop lower body strength, abdominal and back strength and flexibility.

The Spine Corrector/Hump Barrels assists people in performing the mat exercises by providing support and stability.

The Reformer is the main apparatus. This exercise table incorporates pulleys, wheels, springs, and other attachments that allow anyone the ability to perform every exercise.

The Wunda Chair also develops strength and flexibility but is used to help target the low back and buttocks muscles.

The Magic Circle or Rings are used for isometric exercises to strengthen the arms, legs, buttocks, chest, shoulders and upper back.

WHAT MAKES PILATES SPECIAL?

In the development of these exercises, Pilates discovered that his method developed a body that was supple, flexible and with long lean muscles. Unlike traditional eastern methods that developed lean, flexible bodies without strong muscular definition, and unlike western methods that created bulky, thick muscles, the Pilates method produced the best of both worlds.

The Pilates program was so successful that it immediately attracted professional dancers. Ballet stars who must remain lithe and limber found the program kept them lean but gave them the strength and stamina to perform the most demanding routines night after night.

Professional athletes discovered Pilates as a means of cross-training and rehabilitation before such methods were offered as science. In fact, many people consider Pilates the forerunner of modern physical therapy.

Actors and actresses learned of Pilates from the dance community, and also needing to remain lean and strong for their demanding work and social status, soon convinced Pilates to open studios in Los Angeles.

SO WHY HASN'T PILATES BEEN MORE POPULAR?

Price and availability. Pilates has always been such a demanding method to learn, that it took years for trainers to become instructors, and even then they had very few places where they could go to learn and practice. Because of the scarcity of studios, people paid huge amounts of money to work with  skilled trainers in order to develop and learn enough to accomplish the programs on their own.

SO WHAT HAS CHANGED?

Several things have happened in the past 5 years to make Pilates more accessible to the public. First, after 90 years there are more instructors and studios available. Second, the Pilates name was registered for years and only recently it become public domain, similar to words like yoga and karate. Now the studios don't have to pay huge training fees, that were really licensing fees for the name Pilates, it is affordable to hire qualified trainers. It is still much more expensive than other types of certification but at least it means we can make it affordable for people other than professional athletes and stars. Finally, Americans have developed enough personal income to be able to pay for enough training to learn how to do Pilates the right way, especially now that it doesn't cost thousands of dollars and you don't have to travel to large cities.

CAN'T I BUY A VIDEO OR A BOOK AND DO PILATES?

You can and thousands of people do. You don't have to go to a Pilates studio and purchase training to do Pilates. You are just more likely to see the results faster if you start with a personal trainer.

CAN I BUY PILATES EQUIPMENT FOR MY HOME?

You can and Pilates of Hilton Head Island will be a distributor for PEAK Body Systems. You will be able to try out the equipment in the studio and if you wish, we can arrange for you to purchase what you would like and have it delivered directly to your home.

WILL I BE ABLE TO HAVE A TRAINER COME TO MY HOME?

Yes. Our trainers will be able to provide private sessions. You will have the same prices as studio sessions, with an additional $10 travel expense per session.