My Honest Thoughts After Taking Classes with Seven Instructors
Over the last week, I decided to do something I’ve been meaning to do for a while: jump into as many classes at Grounded Pilates as possible and experience our instructors from the client’s perspective. What I found was really interesting and equally heartwarming.
Every instructor brings something completely different to the reformer. Some create a warm, nurturing atmosphere, some are natural educators, some are technical experts, and some simply make you smile from the moment you walk through the door.
Here’s how the week unfolded, and some reflections on each instructor.
Anna – Monday, 5:30pm (Huddersfield)
Anna kicked off the week and immediately set the tone with how welcoming she was. Before we’d even started moving, she was chatting with everyone and making people feel comfortable. You could tell she genuinely enjoys being around people and has made some super connections with her clients over the last year.
One thing that stood out was how well she demonstrates exercises. Sometimes you watch an instructor and instantly understand what you’re supposed to do because they make it look so effortless and clear. Anna definitely falls into that category. The class had a good variety of exercises, witha fair bit of focus on the hips. Mostly this highlighted how much work my own hips need!
Her breathing cues were excellent throughout. Consistent, clear and always arriving at exactly the right moment when your brain had wandered elsewhere, which was really helpful for those moments that things got a bit hard and I could feel myself tensing through each exercise.
At the end of the class I overheard Anna chatting to one of the clients, checking in to see how things were and asking about updates on recent health conditions, which was a really lovely sign of someone that genuinely listens and cares for the people in her class. As a start to the week, I loved it and felt that those who attended Anna’s class felt the same!
Christie – Tuesday, 8:30am (Huddersfield)
Christie’s class felt incredibly well thought out.
There was a real sense that everything had a purpose. Rather than simply moving from one exercise to the next, she explained why we were doing things. We would mobilise first, then stabilise, and then build on that. It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference when clients understand the journey they’re on and are taken on a journey through the movements. Throughout Christie’s class I had plenty of ‘Aha’ moments as my brain clicked and I began to realise exactly how this would help me functionally outside of the class too!
Christie also brings great energy to the room. She’s bubbly, encouraging and genuinely excited when someone achieves something. What I loved was that it never felt forced. Her celebrations felt completely authentic, with that familiar belly laugh of hers ringing through the class as progressions got more difficult and clients slowly started to achieve more and more.
Christie has been teaching Pilates longer than any of our instructors and you could see the experience in the class flow where exercises transitioned beautifully and the whole session felt smooth from start to finish. The longer wind-down at the end was also a nice touch.
Jo – Wednesday, 6:00pm (Oldham)
Jo’s class felt completely different from every other class I attended. Walking into it felt less like attending a fitness class and more like stepping into a masterclass with others who were familiar with Jo and were there specifically for her. This is classical Pilates, taught by somebody who knows the method inside out.
There was a sense that everyone in the room was there not only to exercise but to learn. The movements were dynamic, the pace was purposeful and there was a huge amount of Pilates knowledge woven throughout the session. If somebody asked me where to go to truly understand Pilates—its principles, its history and the reason behind the movements, Jo’s classes would be my answer.
Jo reminds me a little of Professor McGonagall (I’ve always loved Harry Potter). She cares deeply about her clients, expects them to listen, expects them to work hard, and ultimately wants them to become better. She knows people incredibly well and has built genuine relationships with them. Her approach is hands on and she had no hesitation in moving someone around on the bed so that they were precisely where they needed to be. For Jo, it is clear that Pilates is something that should be done with precision and concentration.
It was a fantastic class, and if I were pursuing Pilates as a long-term practice and wanted to become stronger and more technically proficient, Jo would be the instructor I’d choose once I had grasped the fundamentals.
Bethan – Wednesday, 11:30am (Huddersfield)
Bethan’s class was one of those sessions where you find yourself thinking, “Ah, that’s why we’re doing that.” Her experience as a physio is evident and she has a wonderful way of explaining something anatomically before translating it into language everyone can understand. It’s a skill that sounds simple but is actually quite difficult to do well.
Her use of imagery is fantastic. Rather than simply telling people what to do, she paints a picture that helps them feel the movement. The class started at a very accessible level, which made it ideal for beginners. What impressed me was how comfortable everyone seemed with that. Nobody appeared frustrated by the simplicity because Bethan had already built trust. People knew she was meeting them where they were.
She also uses people’s names brilliantly and creates a really safe environment to learn in. What I enjoyed most was that this class wasn’t about chasing a sweat or creating a spa-like wellness experience. It felt purposeful. You could feel how the movements would help people functionally move better and feel better over time, building a solid foundation. I left feeling taller, stronger and more alert.
Rach – Wednesday, 5:30pm (Huddersfield)
This class just made me smile. From the moment it started there was a lovely atmosphere in the room. It felt relaxed, friendly and genuinely enjoyable.
Rach does a brilliant job of making everyone feel seen. She uses names naturally, chats with people throughout, and somehow manages to create a personal connection with everyone in the room. The class itself flowed really nicely and had a strong whole-body focus. Exercises were explained thoroughly, demonstrated when needed, and adapted well for beginners.
What stood out most was the encouragement. Every little success felt celebrated and every challenge felt supported, without pretense or judgement. There was a real sense of “keep showing up and you’ll get there”, which is exactly what many of us need to hear. It is no suprpise that wherever Rach goes, her classes fill and people love being around her.
This was a beginners class and by the end Rach was encourgaing all the clients to move to the open reformer classes, and each person seemed to fill with confidence as she worked with them personally. With Rach, you are seen and understood and are guarenteed to have a fun time throughout!
Nina – Friday, 10:15am (Oldham)
Nina’s beginner class had a couple of completely new clients attending, so it was a good opportunity to see how someone experiences Pilates for the very first time. Nina has a lovely nature and creates a calm environment. The pace was definitely the slowest of any class I attended, and for beginners that is exactly what’s needed as the fundamentals are explained and the movement patterns are learned.
Nina moved about the room consistently, quietly correcting and encouraging everyone, whilst also reminding those who were new to reformer to take it slow and focus on the movement. This was the class where I saw people most proud of what they were able to do on the reformer- having first been intimidated by the machines, byt the end everyone was relaxed and moving excellently.
I frequently encounter people who attend Nina’s classes as a first time Pilates experience, or return to it after a period of injury, and really enjoy the calming pace of the beginners classes. In an industry where things seem to be about aesthetics, pace and achievement, Nina creates a pertinent reminder that everyone is coming at this from a different place, no body is the same, and that the most important thing to do is to show up and trust your own body.
For those wanting to begin Pilates, or who have had a period of time off, Nina is your go to in Oldham!
Zoe – Friday, 9:00am (Oldham Instructor – Huddersfield Cover Class)
And finally, Zoe.
What a way to finish the week. If you’ve ever met Zoe, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say she’s our chatterbox. But that’s part of her magic. She knows everyone (even if she doesn’t) and chats to everyone. She remembers things about people and she creates an atmosphere where you immediately feel comfortable.
Most importantly, her passion for Pilates absolutely pours out of her. You can hear it in her voice and see it in the way she teaches. I also thought Zoe’s class was one of the strongest structurally. Progressions were clear, exercises were given enough time to develop, and everything flowed naturally into the next movement. And if you didn’t fancy the progression, or your body wasn’t moving quite right with it, she would amend or encourage you to focus on the movement. Not the progression.
She spent a lot of time moving around the room, checking in with people, making corrections and helping everyone feel confident. The result is a class that’s energetic, fun and incredibly welcoming, while still being technically strong.
If someone was nervous about moving from beginners Pilates for the first time, Zoe would be one of the first instructors I’d point them towards. She has a wonderful ability to make people feel at ease whilst still delivering a brilliant class.
Final Thoughts
After a week of classes, the biggest thing I took away wasn’t who was “best”, because that’s impossible to answer. What became clear is that every instructor brings something unique.
Anna’s warmth, Christie’s structure, Bethan’s education, Rach’s connection, Nina’s patience, Jo’s expertise and Zoe’s infectious enthusiasm all create very different experiences and the beauty of that is that different clients need different things. I came away with an even greater appreciation for the people leading our classes every day.
Finally, whilst my intention was to experiene Pilates with all the different instructors, there was a definite additional benefit to this, a byproduct of an intense couple of weeks of reformer Pilates. Over the last 2 weeks I have had more people comment on my being tall, or looking well, and my hip issues, whilst intensifying initially, have settled down immensely. I am certain that this is because after just 7 classes, my posture has improved, my breathing has become more settled and my body is functioning more optimally.
As Jospeh Pilates said, “in 10 sessions you’ll feel a difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference and in 30 you’ll have a new body”.