What is Pilates? Is it what I have seen in infomercials?

Yes, Pilates is what you have seen on television. Pilates is the fastest-growing exercise and physical therapy method in the country. For a full description, see Classes.

Pilates has a number of benefits, some of which are:

• Improved strength and flexibility
• Improved posture and alignment
• Reduced pain
• Thinner, flatter mid-section
• Well-toned, long, lean muscles
• Increased body-mind connection

Most class sessions are six weeks long and run on the following schedule. Precise session start and end dates vary by year. See classes for session dates.

• Winter Sessions: Two six-week sessions; early January through late March
• Spring Session: Two six-week sessions; late March through mid-June
• Summer Sessions: Two six-week sessions; mid-June through early September
• "Fall Sessions: Two six-week sessions; early September through late November
• Holiday Session: One five-week session; late November through early January

Fitness Arts membership is an annual program that costs $150 per year (January through December - prorated if you join after January). Membership benefits include discounts on classes and products.

Call us at 847-397-2787 and we will help you schedule with the appropriate instructor.

Pilates can be done on a mat or on specialized equipment. The mat work is done using your body weight as resistance and occasionally uses small props to help support you or to increase the difficulty level. The specialized equipment uses spring resistance, and therefore is easily adjustable to your needs.

A reformer (or universal reformer) is a piece of Pilates equipment that looks like a bed frame with a carriage that moves forward and backward within the frame and is attached to the frame by springs. The carriage can also be moved by pulling straps attached by a pulley system.

A cadillac (or trapeze table) is a piece of Pilates equipment that looks like a bed frame with a metal canopy over it. There are a number of spring attachments and some bars that assist the student with their exercises.

Pilates equipment can look complicated and scary at first - don't' be scared. It is important to have a well-trained instructor to help you learn to use the equipment safely. But, once you learn about the equipment it is a lot of fun to use.

Pilates instructors can have any level of training from a weekend workshop to apprenticeships that last a few years. First, ask your prospective instructor what their background is, how long they have been practicing Pilates, where they were trained, and how long they have been teaching Pilates. A good instructor will have completed a comprehensive program and have a solid history of practicing and teaching. For further guidelines, see www.pilatesmethodalliance.org.

Yamunaź Body Rolling helps free your body of tension and compression. In addition, it is a weight-bearing activity and stimulates bone growth, it helps you learn to move more smoothly, and it helps increase your core strength and stability.

Call us at 847-397-2787 and we will help you schedule an appointment. You may be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to your first appointment.

Your insurance carrier may cover some treatments, but Fitness Arts is unable to offer direct billing of insurance companies at this time. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt for your sessions to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. A medical evaluation is required and the prescribed treatment plan must be followed for this to apply.