The Center of Clayton

Private Pilates Training

Have you ever wondered what exercises dancers use to build long, lean muscles and flexibility?  Often they do  Pilates!  Pilates exercises elongate and strengthen all of the body’s muscles, helping you become stronger and more flexible simultaneously. 

What goals can I achieve through Pilates? 

Whether your goal is as simple as strengthening your core or as challenging as managing joint or muscular pain, pilates can help!  Pilates exercises create a more stable yet simultaneously more fluid and mobile environment for the joints by strengthening the muscles, while bringing generous blood flow to the soft tissues and ligaments surrounding them.  Not only will this allow you to avoid injury and pain, but you will find yourself feeling stronger with each work out.

What exactly is a "Reformer"?

The Reformer, known as the “Work Horse” of Pilates appears to be a medieval torture device at first glance, but is actually a machine that originated in rehabilitation allowing patients to perform a personalized exercise routine to bring them back to health.  This machine will challenge your core muscles with varying degrees of resistance. 

What can I expect from a "Pilates Reformer" session?

Your instructor will first analyze your posture and then guide you through a series of exercises that will:

    1)strengthen the muscles that are weak; and

    2) stretch the muscles that are tight. 

When placed in the stable environment that the reformer provides, your body will quickly gain strength and flexibility right where it needs it.  By being held in the “cheat-free zone” the Reformer provides, the body is forced to stayed centered and maintain its stability, ensuring that the muscles you are intending to work are indeed doing as you ask.  Even better, your body will find its own way to balance, training the muscles through a controlled range of motion that will help them discover a safer, more intelligent place to exist.  With consistency, a new “normal” will be established.  As your strength builds, you will be able to increase your exercise intensity and range of motion and train the muscles to be strong at all lengths, not just at the belly.  Overall, your body will become stronger than you ever imagined possible.

Why do I need one-on-one Pilates training?

One-on-one training provides the quickest and most effective way to get that little extra push required.  By focusing on your unique needs, your body will be transformed and you will discover new life within yourself.  Injuries and chronic concerns will become a distant memory as you emerge stronger, leaner, and more flexible.

Benefits of Pilates Reformer Training:

• Increases core strength and stability
• Enhances functional fitness
• Balances strength and flexibility
• Improves body awareness
• Develop longer and leaner muscles
• Improves postural problems
• Helps prevent injury
• Can be customized to suit everyone from rehab patients to elite athletes
• Complements other methods of exercise
• Helps improve performance in sports (ie: golf, skiing, skating, etc.)
• Improves balance and coordination
• You can also get a cardio workout with the use of the jump board

Private Pilates Trainers

We are fortunate to have Gayle Levy who offers Pilates Reformer Training sessions at the Center of Clayton.  Gayle is an AFAA certified Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer.  She is trained in the classical Pilates method as well as the contemporary method (Stott Pilates).  She is certified through Stott in mat, reformer, chair and barrels. Gayle has been personally practicing Pilates since 2003 and has reaped many benefits from it.  In Gayle’s opinion, Pilates Reformer is one of the most enjoyable ways to accomplish overall health and wellness both for your body and mind.  Gayle also instructs our morning mat classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:30am.

	Gayle Levy AFAA – certified Personal Trainer Stott Intensive Mat and Reformer-certified Availability: Mornings to early afternoon and some weekends Read Full Bio (314) 290-8522 ext. 1

Getting Started:

Step 1:
Complete the Private Pilates Request Form and return it the to The Center of Clayton welcome desk.  You may also contact Christi Gleason, Fitness Supervisor to sign up via phone by calling her at (314)290-8511 or email her at cgleason@claytonmo.gov.

Step 2:
Gayle Levy will contact you to schedule an appointment within 48 hours.  If you have any questions you may call Christi Gleason, Fitness Supervisor at (314)290-8511 or email cgleason@claytonmo.gov.