Neil Pilates

Pilates are an excellent form of excercise for anyone who’s not über sporty and into track running or other such extrenuating activties.
It is a gentle excercise which makes you feel relaxed and refreshed afterwards.
I really can’t recommend it enough. Pilates is all about using your core strength (your stomach muscles) to build up strength, improve your posture and tone your body.
Seriously after a few lessons you’ll really feel your abdominal area, legs, arms etc all toning up.
One of the important things about pilates is that you have a good teacher and Neil is an excellent one. He teaches you at whatever pace best suits you whether it be beginner, intermediate or advanced, never pushing you too far.
I have been attending the classes at Jacqui Pilpotts Dance Studio on The Ormeau Road but there are a number of different locations to choose from: St. Bernadettes Parish Centre on the Rosetta Road, LA Fitness, Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, The Crescent Arts Centre, and International House.
Lessons are £6 each or £30 for 6– very good value indeed. Have a look on the website for vouchers which entitle you to the first lesson for free.

When my back seized up one too many times last year the doctor suggested that I took Pilates classes. She recommended Neil and off I went at the first opportunity.
Pilates proved to be a brilliant idea. An hour’s class every week makes an extraordinary difference to your shape, strength and posture. How it all works — which it undoubtedly does — is a mystery to me but there is much information on the website.
Neil Healey himself is an excellent teacher. He emphasises that Pilates is all about doing what is best for you. It’s not competitive or gruelling, though sometimes the exercises can be hard but it doesn’t last long!
Classes are held at beginner, intermediate and more advanced levels in various venues around South Belfast including the Crescent Arts Centre, St Bernadette’s Church Hall, Rosetta, and LA Fitness. Neil also has a studio on the Ormeau Road. One to one instruction and posture checks are available too.
I’ve done two terms of pilates classes, unfortunately I couldn’t make the summer term but I plan to start again in September.