Join our Pilates class for a top toning workout that focuses on gentle stretching technique.
If you're looking to strengthen your body, tone your muscles, and find some relaxation while improving your posture and flexibility, our Pilates classes at Village Health & Wellness Club Reading are just what you need.
Combining precise movements with controlled breathing and core-focused exercises, Pilates are an excellent way to boost your strength, mobility, and overall body awareness.
Whether you're just starting out or have been practicing for years, our classes are designed to help you build a solid foundation and progress at your own pace.
Our Pilates classes offer a mix of mat-based techniques and equipment like resistance bands and stability balls, targeting deep muscle groups to improve your control and coordination.
Expert instructors will guide you through each session, ensuring it's safe, effective, and tailored to your fitness level.
Pilates is an excellent exercise option for anyone, whether you're just starting your fitness journey or are an experienced practitioner. Our classes provide:
- A comprehensive workout. Each Pilates session not only targets your core but also engages muscles all over your body, making it a great way to build strength, enhance muscle tone, and improve overall balance.
- A gentle approach to easing joint and back pain. With its focus on controlled movements and proper alignment, Pilates can help relieve discomfort, especially in the lower back, hips, and joints. This makes it particularly advantageous for older adults or those recovering from injuries.
- Assistance with weight management. Although it’s not a high-intensity cardio workout, attending regular Pilates classes can help increase muscle mass and boost your metabolism, which supports weight maintenance and body composition goals.
- A friendly and supportive community. Pilates is more than just a workout—it's about building connections. Join a class and become part of our health club’s vibrant community of Pilates lovers!
The low impact techniques we use at Village Health & Wellness Club Reading make it a great full body workout for all ages and abilities.
Many members who suffer from lower back pain or osteoporosis choose our Pilates class, thanks to the gentle movements and low pressure on the joints. It's the quality, not the quantity of your moves that counts here.
Our Pilates class is a great option for anyone who loves the social side of a group workout, those trying to lose weight or members looking for a fun way to tone up.
Pilates is about fluid, smooth movements, so you'll likely want to wear something that allows your body stretch and move freely.
Fabrics that breathe and stretch, such as cotton-spandex blends or moisture-wicking materials, help keep you cool and comfortable during the session. Grip socks can offer extra traction and stability on the mat or reformer.
We've put together a few tips on the perfect workout wardrobe to ensure you hit the Pilates studio dressed for success.
Pilates was invented by German carpenter and gymnast, Joseph Pilates. He wanted to help injured dancers and soldiers maintain their fitness levels, without risking further injury.
Joseph Pilates believed that physical and mental health were well connected. Something we live and breathe here at Village Health & Wellness Club Reading!
In the 1920's he opened a Pilates studio in New York. It's since become a staple fitness class in studios across the world!
Our Pilates class at Village Health & Wellness Club Reading is designed for members who want to transform the way their body looks, feels and how easily it moves.
Attending regular Pilates classes can help to improve your body's strength and tone. Over time, you'll notice firmer thighs, tighter glutes and a flatter stomach.
The hundred (while focussing on breathing, we'll target core strength to improve stability)
The roll up (a gentle, well-controlled move to stretch the spine and strengthen abs)
Leg circles (Pilates movements to strengthen the hips and core muscles)
Rolling ball (this move will massage the spine and open up the back)
Series of 5 (a series of Pilates moves designed to strengthen the core and back muscles)
The principles of Pilates cover six key areas:
Pilates was originally called ‘Contrology’ , because controlled movements are crucial to maintaining proper Pilates form. To ensure optimum body control, you'll need to really think about how your body moves.
Full concentration on your movements will ensure you get the very best of out your Pilates class at Village Health & Wellness Club Reading. We'll focus on which muscles you're using and how they work to complete each move. We'll perfect each move as we go.
The Powerhouse is essentially, your core muscles - the abs, lower back, pelvic floor, glutes and hip muscles. Your Pilates movements will all begin with these core areas.
Whilst breathing tends to come pretty naturally, breathing properly takes some concentration. We'll assess and improve your breathing technique during your Pilates class, leaving you more relaxed, less stressed and with bags more energy.
Every Pilates motion should be done with precision. By aligning your body in the correct way, you'll be able to move much more smoothly and maintain your balance.
Each Pilates move should be fluid and graceful. One move should flow straight into the next. Find your flow, so that you're almost gliding, and your body is constantly in motion.
At Village Health & Wellness Club Reading, our Pilates class offers so much more than just an enjoyable workout! You'll also experience a range of fantastic benefits that support both your body and mind...
While it might not burn as many calories as more intense workouts, it helps in building lean muscle mass, which can enhance your metabolism. The more regularly you practice and the effort you invest, the better your results will be.
Tones your whole body
If you're looking to tone your body, Pilates is a fantastic option. It allows you to strengthen your muscles without adding bulk, focusing on controlled movements that engage your core, glutes, arms, and legs.
Boosts your core strength
Many Pilates exercises target deep abdominal and back muscles, which are essential for supporting your spine and enhancing your posture. Good posture not only looks appealing but also helps minimize the risk of injury and alleviates common aches and pains.
Relieves stress
Regular Pilates sessions can help to decrease stress and conditions such as insomnia and anxiety.
Enhances coordination, flexibility, and balance
Pilates emphasise precise, flowing movements and mindful breathing, which together foster better body awareness. With consistent practice, you’ll likely notice improvements in these areas, which can benefit your daily activities and other forms of exercise.
Perfects your performance
Many gym members find that their body are misaligned due to the one-sided nature of certain sports e.g. using a tennis racket or swinging a golf club.
Our Pilates class will help to balance your body, developing muscular symmetry to align your posture, and reducing the risk of injury.
Perfect For PreNatal
Pilates is a great fitness class for pregnant women, helping to align the spine and pelvis. Perfect for both post and pre-natal women who want to maintain their fitness, strengthen pelvic muscles or prepare the body for childbirth.
Energy Boost
The breathing techniques and improved blood circulation that comes from our pilates class bring a boost in energy, making you feel more alert and more positive.
Of course, we offer much more than Pilates classes! A look at our fitness facilities in Reading...
Gym
Warm up before your Pilates class with the latest, state-of-the-art cardio and resistance equipment as well as spacious free weight and stretching areas.
Swimming Pool
Our 20m heated pool is perfect for a cool down after a hard workout, or a workout in itself. Afterwards, chill out in the spa pool, steam room or sauna.
Classes
Aside from Pilates, we offer a vast selection of fitness classes, from Yoga to Zumba and everything in between. Find your perfect fit at Village Health & Wellness Club Reading.
Group Cycling
With 40 bikes, our gym in Reading provides the perfect setting for your instructor-led or Virtual cycle class. Classes include Les Mills RPM and V-Cycle.
Technogym
Track your progress with the latest Technogym equipment and receive personalised training routines and motivation while working out to your own music.
Our Social Scene
Make those all-important weekend plans with friends over a light bite in the restaurant, a saintly salad in the bar or a smoothie in Starbucks. The perfect way to wind down after your Pilates class and enjoy our member's social scene.
Member Benefits
Being a member of Village Health & Wellness Club means more than just working out. Enjoy exclusive discounts across all of our hotels plus access to high street exclusives with our member benefits programme!
Personal Training
The Personal Training team at Village Gym Reading are highly qualified in training techniques, nutrition, motivation and measuring performance, to ensure that you achieve your fitness goal, and enjoy getting there!
BodyBalance
A yoga based fitness class designed to increase flexibility and strength.
Raise The Barre
Our Barre workouts, designed by Les Mills, are accessible to all fitness and flexibility levels.
Combining classic ballet positions with high repetitions of slight movements using very light weights, Barre can improve posture and help shape your body.
The benefits of a Pilates class
The health benefits of a holistic class go way beyond the toning and strengthening results you'll gain from many other fitness classes.
You'll get them too, plus a bumper crop of other wellness-boosting effects...
Yoga
Improve your posture, strength and flexibility with our Yoga class.
Book your Pilates class at Village Health & Wellness Club Reading via the Member's Area...
Caversham Bridge
Richfield Ave
Reading
RG1 8BD
0118 991 9421
Smash those short-term fitness goals with an initial three month membership or save a few pounds whilst you burn a few, by committing to your fitness or exercise goals with an initial 12 month membership.
Young person's (18-22 years) memberships are also available, plus discounts for students and local business professionals.
Is Pilates harder than yoga?
Pilates is often harder on the core and muscles because it emphasises strength, control, and stability. Yoga can feel harder in flexibility and balance. The challenge depends on your body and the style you choose.
How many times a week should I do Pilates to see results?
Doing Pilates 2–3 times per week is enough to notice results in strength, posture, and flexibility. For quicker changes, 4 sessions weekly may help, but rest days are still important.
Does Pilates burn fat?
Pilates burns calories, but not as many as high-intensity workouts. It’s excellent for building lean muscle, which boosts metabolism, helping fat loss in the long run when combined with healthy eating.
What is the 10/20/30 rule in Pilates?
The 10/20/30 rule is a quote by Pilates founder Joseph Pilates, highlighting the benefits of consistent practice: in 10 sessions you’ll feel a difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see a difference, and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body. It emphasises consistent, regular sessions as being essential for achieving strength, flexibility, and overall wellbeing.
Is it better to do Pilates in the morning or at night?
Morning Pilates boosts energy, posture, and focus for the day. Evening Pilates helps release tension, ease stiffness, and relax the body before bed. Both times are effective, so it depends on personal preference.
What other fitness classes does Village Health + Wellness Club Reading offer?
Our Reading wellness club will offer over 100+ fitness classes per week. From the high intensity Les Mills workouts including BodyPump, BodyAttack and Grit, to low impact classes such as Reformer Pilates* and Yoga. Plus our very own Village exclusive BURN, boxing and HIIT classes.
The full class timetable will be released closer to the opening date. Members can look forward to a schedule with over 100 classes per week.
*Note: Reformer Pilates will be an add-on to your membership.
