I have had trouble with my back for the best part of 15 years.  I hate exercise classes.  I have always struggled to feel comfortable in them and never have I got the best out of them.

When I met Ellie, i was less than cynical about her class being any different.

I told her I'd try it and, if I didn't hate it, I'd try it again! (fully expecting to hate it and never return).

After the first session, I told Ellie I hadn't hated it so I went back...and I keep going back!

It might be Ellie's bubbly, relaxed, teaching style.  It might be her happy professionalism.  It might be how real she is - not super stick thin or impossible abs, just a real woman who talks real and, for whom, pilates has worked for and so now she shares it with others.

The reason I keep going back could be because I no longer wake in unbearable pain - and have even thrown away the pain-killers. 

Personally, I think it's a mixture of all those things....

Give it a go!  You won't be sorry!
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Thanks Ellie, from the bottom of my heart.
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Dinah, June 2018

Barre Pilates with Ellie is a challenging workout for my legs, bum and tummy.  It stretches out my hips and lower back.

I leave the class feeling energised and looking forward to the next one.
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Ali, April 2017

I have fibromyalgia and believe the best way to combat this is with a healthy lifestyle and fitness.

Ellie's fabulous sessions are helping - particularly with my flexibility...plus I LOVE the relaxation at the end!
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Sara, September 2016

I can't believe I have been doing Pilates for a year! I have never stuck to any exercise class before.

Concentrating for the hour makes me feel really happy and helps my mood.

Thank you for great fun classes and being so encouraging when I don't think I can do certain things!
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Jan, August 2016

I have been a keen cyclist for over 10 years, but until I started Simply Pilates & Stretch with Ellie I'd never devoted much time to stretching, flexibility or core strength. I did the odd 30 seconds of leg stretching after a ride, but nothing more than that.

Since my teens I've suffered on and off with sciatic nerve pain in my hips and lower back. With my increased cycling hours over the past few years, the pain increased to such a level that by September 2015 I couldn't even manage a 10 minute walk in my work lunch break, let alone a decent bike ride or run.

Three months of enforced time off the bike followed, during which I booked an appointment wth my GP, who referred me to a physiotherapist. I was told my pain was made worse by muscle tightness and poor muscle control - a common complaint in cyclists and runners. The physiotherapist suggested Pilates as a means of easing these symptoms - which is why I came to Ellie.

It was only once I started doing Pilates that I released quite how inflexible I was, particularly in the back of my legs. With some perseverance as well as some guidance from Ellie this quickly improved. Once I had started cycling again in the spring, I noticed improvements both on and off the bike. I didn't get such a stiff, achy lower back after a ride, or the deep hip pain that lasted weeks if I tweaked a muscle. I could also reach the drops of my bars more easily, and ride further with less discomfort. When I do feel achy or tight after a long ride, I am now equipped with some simple stretching techniques to help release the tightness and help recovery.

For the whole of 2016/17, I haven't had to stop riding my bike due to sciatic pain or related injuries, which I put down to my improved flexibility and core strength. For this reason I can't recommend Simply Pilates & Stretch highly enough.

​Ellie is a great teacher, always eager to tailor the exercises to the needs of the class, so I'd encourage any fellow cyclists, runners (or anyone) to give it a try.

Phil, 7 March 2017