#360fit: Real Pilates’ Fusion X

Kara Martin 01:40 22/12/2016
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  • Stretch out: Fusion X is brand new Pilates class for people who want to reinvent their stale exercise routines.

    How great is Pilates? It lengthens, it lifts, tightens and tones. All the fittest celebrities regularly include it in their hectic workout repertoire and, based on looks, you know they must be on to something. Of course its benefits go skin deep, too.

    With much focus placed on connecting with, and learning to fully control, the core, our deepest lying muscles and other hard-totune muscle groups, its impact on proper, safer functional mobility, injury recovery, strength work and posture have proven legendary.

    It’s a winner with the toughest athletes out there as well.

    But what if you wanted more out of your body? What if you wanted to add to that immense strength and control some quickness and resilience? To not have to move from studio to studio to take in several focused classes to achieve this all-round bigger picture?

    Any diehard Pilates fans in Dubai looking to up their game (and avoid plateau), and anyone after ultimate bodily balance, can find their ticket at Real Pilates through a number of classes offered – from Barre to Reformer Cardio.

    But we particularly were curious about the whispers at reception that burpees were somehow incorporated into a high-energy Pilates class they’ve called Fusion X… and we went straight for that.

    This 60-minute sweat combines cardio and functional movement exercises with the techniques and talents of the late great Joseph Pilates.

    During this class clients will get their heart rate up during a series of short, timed intervals consisting of squats, lunges and other famed and fierce full-body exercises; and at the same time get their Pilates fix, with an emphasis on exercises targeting abdominals, lower back and upper body strengthening.

    These can include anything from push ups, ab curls and side bends, to more Pilates ‘favourites’ like the Hundred, Shoulder Bridges and Roll Up.

    Variety is the spice of life: There are plenty of classes on offer.

    Variety is the spice of life: There are plenty of classes on offer.

    After a short but sticky warm-up, certified instructor Dora put us through our paces with a three-exercise cardio segment consisting of some increasingly complex moves incorporating the Swiss Ball.

    We started with 45-seconds repeating a simple lunge while lifting the ball overhead; then, with just seconds break, moved over to the wall and plugged our heels against it to lie on our stomachs on top of the ball and perform dynamic, glute-engaging back extensions.

    Finally, shifting our bodyweight over the ball so that our palms were on the floor in a semi-plank position, and our knees were resting on the top of the ball, we found ourselves in preparation to perform a kneesinto-chest crunch. Well, a wobbly version of it. A tight core to maintain balance is a must.

    With three rounds of that done and dusted, next was some focused Pilates work on the mat, some of which featured the versatile foam roller.

    One particular exercise that hasn’t yet left our minds involved lying on our backs on the cylindrical object placed lengthways along our spine and having to squeeze with all our might and pray for balance just to perform one rep of alternating leg and arm lifts.

    This is where your core really comes out to play, we were shaking.

    A second cardio set followed, this time featuring trickier work like getting into a half-handstand pike by dragging the Swiss Ball along by our shins, some lower abdominal-burning leg lifts and extensions, and that intriguing Swiss Ball burpee (squat to place the ball down in front of you, plant hands into its wobbly surface to jump back into a plank and return).

    That’s three rounds of this deadly trio, with each exercise done in 45-second bursts.

    Fusion X is tough indeed, but with the inclusion of various wonderful Pilates props – you will get chances in future classes to also use weights and resistance training aids such as Flexbands and medicine balls – mean that there’s plenty room for modifications.

    All the exercises can be easily adapted for people of different levels of fitness and experience.

    The amount of concentration you have to place on engaging and connecting your surface and superficial muscles, your spine, your pelvis… just about everything, and with minute precision in order to perform these things well, means that before our sweaty, stunned selves even realised it time was up and Dora was setting us up for the finishing stretch.

    Our personal fitness levels might be on the low side this holiday season, but we have to say, the class barely skipped a beat in leaving our bodies aching.

    Our lower half really felt it when jumping into bed that night; and it’s worse today, but in that satisfying way that means it’s working.

    Our favourite thing about Fusion X is how the time flies – the hard work is worth it. Whether you’re mad for Pilates or never tried it before because it appears too tame for your personality, it can be the extra ingredient you need to reimagine and boost your workout, and your body.

    We’ll certainly be back for more.

    What: Fusion X classes

    When: Various times each day across two locations

    Where: Real Pilates at Palm Strip Mall, Jumeirah, and ONE JLT

    Cost: Single class – Dh85, packages from Dh295

    Contact & info: 04 458 5399, www.real-pilates.com or use the free Real Pilates app to book . Alternatively, send an email to [email protected]

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