I have been practising Pilates for over twenty years in various classes in local gyms.
My motivation for joining the gym was to be fitter, thinner and generally healthier. I had struggled with my weight since my teens and despite trying various diets and different approaches, I couldn’t shift the weight more than a stone or two, before yo-yoing back to where I had started! All this time, Pilates was my safe space: I felt calm, in control and could see improvements in flexibility and balance.
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Just over three years ago, I decided that if I wanted real change, I needed a different and radical approach. Despite lacking in confidence, I bravely signed up with a Physical Trainer, whom I had got to know at the gym. I worked with him to add to my fitness repertoire and in less than two years I had lost the excess weight, by combining good nutrition with cardio and strength workouts, whilst not forgetting the importance of flexibility, strength and balance I had gained through my Pilates practice.
During the first lockdown, I continued to exercise at home and often took my mat outside to practise Pilates. It was there the idea was born. When I retired I was going to train to teach Pilates and help others to find the joy of healthy living and feeling great!
Future Fit offered a comprehensive course, which supported me to increase my knowledge of a whole new industry and develop my expertise in anatomy, physiology and how to teach Pilates. From knowledge of the exercises, and how to make adaptations and progressions through to planning a successful class, the course has been both comprehensive and easy to access online as well as being complemented by excellent face-to-face teaching.
I qualified in October 2021, retired in December 2021 and now have two weekly classes running successfully in the community, provide holiday cover at the local gym and teach one class for a fitness community, run by my now good friend, my PT! Who knew, when we started that journey together, we would end up working together. There is still so much to explore and I am excited to see where this new venture will take me.
I qualified in October 2021, retired [from my old job] in December 2021 and now have two weekly classes running successfully in the community. There is still so much to explore and I am excited to see where this new venture will take me.
Karen Menis
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