Class review: Mat Pilates classes at Equinox

A steady floor workout to strengthen your core
18 March 2019

When and where

There are two oh-so-hot Equinox spots in London, and one on the way. The ornate workout palace on the fifth floor of the Roof Gardens building in Kensington is still recognised as the OG headquarters, and it’s here that mat Pilates classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am (also available at St James’s).

What’s the drill?

Each session mixes up the order of exercises but the gist remains the same: core contractions and stretches to strengthen core muscles and sculpt abs, arms, legs and glutes. The 60-minute class is carefully guided through stretches to test your tensile strength. Think teeth-gnashing plank variations, leg circles, spine stretches and roll-ups as you slowly contort your body through its paces. The one hundred, well known to most, involves lying down, raising your lower back and leg to 45-degree angles and pumping the palms of your hands, as if patting adjacent invisible dogs.

Scissor kicks are also horizontal: raise your head again and pull your legs alternately towards your head. Equinox uses accessories to vary the routines: a fitness ring increases resistance when placed between your legs for compression, and a pillow-like “yoga bubble” provides a challenge when performing back arches. There’s no rest, but it’s taken at a steady pace.

The skinny

Pilates is about building strength from the inside out. Equinox promises that by engaging your core and back muscles, you’ll carry yourself as though you’ve been lifted up.

Sweat count

A light prickle. It’s tense, constantly, but that’s what you’re there for.

The social network

Well-hewn west Londoners with perfect form and a mid-morning hour to spare during a working week.

Instructor appeal

“Don’t panic” is what we want from an instructor when grappling with spine rolls and back arches. Marcela was that to a tee, quietly correcting the form of any stragglers (me).

What to pack

A water bottle. Towels are provided but the only water bottles are plastic, so bring your own reusable one and fill up from the chilled taps.

The sounds

Becalmed. Mellow mood music stretched out for the hour.

Locker-room chat

Civilised. Equinox’s gyms have everything, from towels to shampoos and soaps in the shower, and even a hair-gel dispenser.

Tips for first-timers

Arrive early for a chat with the instructor, but don’t expect things to kick off on time. Because it’s a mid-morning matter, people strolled in at leisure until about five past.

The afterburn

If you don’t feel the burn straight away, fear not — the morning after is going to be tense (in a good way).

Classes everyday, equinox.com

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