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The city of Coral Springs is quite small, yet it is flooded with private Pilates studios (and large gyms) offering
Pilates classes and Pilates equipment training. Choosing a facility and an instructor with whom to take Pilates
instruction is an important decision. There are several key words used in advertisement or on websites that have
added confusion to the process and made selecting a Pilates studio in Coral Springs more difficult. The words used
in advertisements by multiple studios are: "Original," "First" and "Best." In addition, often similar and related
trademark symbols are used in advertisements or websites.
Confused, bewildered or just curious and want to know how to identify and differentiate the important facts? Here's what Parkland Pilates of Coral Springs
recommends to aid you in this dilemma:
- Be wary of any Pilates studio that advertises that they can give you a whole new body in 30 sessions at their studio. Joseph Pilates was a genius and a visionary far ahead of his time. Realistically his promise in his most famous quote, "have a whole new body in 30 sessions" is unrealistic and impossible. Everyone is born with a basic body type. Look for a Pilates studio that promises to give you the best and closest to ideal body for you. With excellent instruction, done on a consistent basis with good form, Pilates training (when done in conjunction with healthy eating and cardio exercise) will make you feel better, absolutely improve your appearance to its fullest potential and give you the very best body for you. You will never get a whole new body. Advertising that you will have a whole new body in 30 sessions is absolutely false.
- Ask to see written testimonials and for current client names and phone numbers who can answer your questions and validate the studio. Read studio reviews on line and see what clients have to say. Try www.insiderpages.com, www.citysearch.com or www.newwebdirectory.com
- Take a single session at various Pilates studios or watch a class. The facility that is the "best" is the one that makes you want to come back and motivates you to stick with a program consistently. Check the atmosphere, equipment, instruction, cleanliness and anything else that is important to you and makes you feel you want to come back there. Listen to your gut reaction. It's usually and instinctively correct. Talk to people in the class as they leave. Ask them how long they have been coming to the facility and what they think of the instruction, clientele, prices, etc.
- Ask to see Pilates certificates and check qualifications. Take it a step further. Again as recommended previously, take or watch a Pilates class or private session at various locations. Although many instructors are certified and qualified, they vary in their ability to teach or differ in their teaching styles. Look for an instructor who teaches "to you" not "at you." Make sure the instruction is about the student, not the instructor. For example, does the teacher just stand there, hands laced behind back, reciting memorized exercises and cues? Do you receive "hands on" correction? Is it about the student receiving the best instruction or the instructor looking good by keeping the class moving easily? Keep in mind there are no bad students, only bad instructors. If you cannot do something, it is the responsibility of the instructor to effectively communicate to you how to do the move, as many times and ways until you understand. Also the ability to "break down" and effectively modify a move for each individual is equally important.
- Ask to see paperwork and official validation if a trademark symbol is used in advertisements or on any written paperwork. Go on line and check the registration of the trademark and right to use the symbol. Some symbols are falsely tacked on and are bogus upon inspection. Any false advertisement should warrant distrust.
- Look for a studio that doesn't advertise the need to have a prerequisite sexy, ideal or perfect body to do Pilates. Sexy bodies don't do Pilates. Real people with real bodies do Pilates. If you want a better body, do Pilates. The media coverage and promotion of Pilates has a tendency to use perfect bodies and celebrities as examples of those practicing the Pilates technique. Look for a Pilates studio that addresses the other 99.9% of the population who doesn't have the ideal, perfect or sexy body and feels discouraged. Pick a studio that doesn't intimidate you into feeling that you have to have a certain body to be able to walk in the door and practice Pilates training there.
- If your interest is in group classes, make sure the class size is small and maximum attention is given to each student. Check that the schedule is diverse and the facility has class times that fit your needs. Make sure there is availability in most classes. If you are looking for private training make sure there is a time that fits your schedule.
- Compare prices. Look for on line website discounts as well as coupons in local coupon books. Don't be afraid to call ahead and ask if the facility has any specials or coupons currently available (that you would like to be made aware of.)
- Most importantly, ask about other Pilates studios in the area. The answer you should receive should only mention good points about the studio you are currently visiting or calling. If a studio owner has negative comments about another Pilates studio in the area, in other words, "bad mouths" the competition as a way of getting your business, that is a huge red flag waving you out the door, telling you to go elsewhere.
Hopefully these pointers will lead you in the right direction and be helpful in choosing Pilates training in Coral Springs, or anywhere else you choose.
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