When ill health meant Lottie Pepper was unable to go to the gym she turned to another way of working out – reformer pilates.
But she soon discovered the exercise, which is taking the fitness world by storm and is performed on a specialised sliding piece of equipment, was not to be taken lying down.
Lottie Pepper has opened a pilates studio in Rochester
Mum Lottie, 29, said: “I was naive. I just thought it would be like pilates, a lot of stretching.
“But I soon realised there was much more to it and fell in love with it.”
That was more than two years ago and now the PE teacher has opened up her own “boutique” studio behind Rochester Health Club in Maidstone Road.
Within four days, about 40 people of all ages and abilities had signed up for courses at the newly-kitted out Reform-Reset gym above the Autospray car wash.
The full-body workout performed on “the reformer” uses springs, pulleys and a sliding frame to provide resistance and support.
Unlike the traditional mat pilates, which in the UK emerged hot on the heels of the 1970s’ craze for yoga, reformer allows for a wider range of exercises.
It can be modified to suit various fitness levels, making it suitable for beginners, experienced practitioners and those returning from an injury.
It’s made headlines nationally with Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and Margot Robbie all saying they are fans.
Lottie said: “Reformer pilates has broken the mould.
“It can be as challenging as you want and doesn’t even have to be weight-bearing.”
The new reformer pilates studio in Rochester
Lottie has six “reformers” in her studio where she runs classes and one-to-one sessions.
Fifty + Fit is for over 50s and is low impact and joint-friendly, working gently to improve core, stability, posture and mobility.
Male and Mobility is for men only and is aimed at a full-body workout.
Lottie said: ”Traditionally, there have always been more women doing pilates and I realise that can be quite off-putting if you are a man and haven’t tried it before, to walk into a room full of women who have been doing it for years.”
The mum has even persuaded husband Sam, also a PE teacher, to take it up.
The new Reform-Reset fitness studio in Rochesteer
With the machines costing £3,000 each, Lottie decided now was the time to “take the leap” and set up the studio.
She said having taken a keen interest in sport and wellbeing from an early age, she has seen fitness fads come and go.
But she added: “I’m sure reformer pilates is here to stay.”