Real Pilates were one of the breakout stars at the awards as they came top in two categories strengthening their position as one of the UAE’s leading fitness studios.
The centre, based at JLT in Dubai, was named Yoga/Pilates Studio of the Year, while Real Pilates instructor Liz Marshall earned Teacher/Coach of the Year on the night.
Marshall, who hails from South Africa and has completed the full STOTT Pilates certification, specialises in correcting muscle imbalances and alleviating pain through the proper exercise.
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She teaches mat, reformer, chair, prenatal and Xtend Barre styles of Pilates, in addition to training instructors.
When asked why she believed she won Teacher/Coach of the Year, Marshall said: “I would hope it’s my contribution to educating the rest of my instructors, fellow instructors and all the students we have at Real Pilates that makes me a coach because I educate them as well as train them.”
Indeed, educating others is what makes Real Pilates stand out. Their team of experienced instructor trainers teaches STOTT Pilates, a contemporary approach to Joseph Pilates’ original method, to increase the expertise in the field.
Since opening in 2009, Real Pilates have trained over 600 instructors from over 30 countries, offering courses like Functional Anatomy, Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels and Injuries & Special Populations.
They also deliver specialised classes for all and as a studio, have a personal touch that allows them to devote more individual attention.
With the yoga and Pilates scene in the UAE constantly growing, Real Pilates are quickly making a name for themselves.
Team Real Pilates at #fitawards15 pic.twitter.com/OoNeGFiNv3
— Simon Marshall (@dubaimarshie) November 26, 2015
“We’re very proud and I’m really proud of my team,” said Reza Alavi, founder and managing director of Real Pilates. “It’s mostly the recognition of a lot of hard work.
“We train a lot of instructors that you’ve seen in the other categories, we’re a major training centre. So when we see our own work recognised, it’s really a blessing.”
Alavi also praised the FIT Awards for bringing together members of the fitness community and recognising those based on quality, rather than stature and size.
“We’ve been in business for six years and we’re so happy to see the industry has grown so much that we can come together and do these things and recognise the work done by every single group, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a big fitness centre or a small studio,” Alavi said.
“It’s really amazing and I think it’s just going to grow stronger year after year and we’re looking forward to next year already.”
