Pilates has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, particularly reformer Pilates, in which people perform exercises on specially designed machines that support the user throughout their practice. The community now has its own reformer Pilates studio in Croi Pilates, which opened recently in the premises vacated by Talking Heads hairdressers.
The studio is owned by Isobel Murray, who is from Moystown, close to Shannonbridge. Her route to becoming a Pilates instructor and studio owner wasn’t straightforward: she studied Law and Tax in Limerick before working for an accountancy firm in Dublin and then Limerick. “I soon decided that working in an office wasn’t the career for me,” she says. While in college she had started training in the gym as a way to de-stress and, “after training in the gym for numerous years, 5 days a week and then working a 9-5 job I felt as though I was living week on week on repeat. So I began reformer Pilates, which I fell in love with instantly.”
She trained as a Mat and Reformer Pilates and Barre instructor at Reformation in Dublin, one of the country’s leading Pilates and yoga studios. “I wanted to make sure I picked a course that best aligned with my values and gave me a solid foundation… there are so many weekend courses out there [but] it was about investing in my career and clients.”
She started teaching at Evolution in Mullingar, and then moved to Evolution in Athlone for a short period. The studio is owned by Natasha Fox and Isobel says: “I will always be grateful for all the knowledge Natasha shared with me when I started teaching and while setting up my own studio.”
Isobel chose to open her studio in Ballinasloe as she felt that the town had potential and there was a gap in the market for a Pilates studio. “I wanted to offer something new to the town. When I first viewed the space I immediately knew it was the right fit,” Isobel adds.
Pilates has been shown to have numerous benefits including building strength, as well as improving posture, balance, coordination and flexibility. However, Isobel says the mental side of the practice is an equal draw. “As I say to all my clients it’s 50 minutes where you can’t think of anything else; for anyone who has tried reformer Pilates there’s a lot to concentrate on.”
“All levels, experience or no experience, are welcome at Croí Pilates,” she says. “If you are new to reformer, we have numerous level 1 classes on throughout the week and for anyone with reformer experience there are mixed level classes.” She will be adding pre- and post- natal classes to the schedule in the next couple of weeks. Exercises can be tailored to the individual so are suitable for all fitness levels.
Isobel says that the feedback she has received so far from the town has been extremely positive. “Everyone is enjoying the classes and it’s great to see people coming back week after week. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive.”
To book a class, download the Mindbody app, or book online at www.pilatescroi.com. Classes are available throughout the week in the early mornings, midmorning, and evening, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
