It goes without saying that I have partaken in lots of group ex classes over the years. Despite my current obsession with HIIT, I have dabbled in all types of exercise classes, and have visited studios galore. This week it’s time for Heartcore Fitness.
Heartcore Fitness runs a handful of studios across London in well-heeled areas such as the City, Chelsea, Hampstead and St John’s Wood. Their primary focus is on reformer-based Pilates but they have recently started offering spin, kettle bells, yoga and barre work. Most of these “over-and-above” classes are interspersed with Pilates and so here I will focus on their bread and butter Pilates class.
Let’s start by explaining what Pilates on the reformer actually is. A reformer machine is a piece of equipment resembling a wooden bed, which consists of springs, a sliding carriage, ropes and a pulley. It was invented in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates in New York, and has recently gained a lot of popularity, 100 years after its invention. Reformer-based Pilates not only provides more variety than mat-based Pilates, it also concentrates on regions beyond the core such as legs and arms. It works muscles through the complete range of motion, which is perfect for building and toning muscle along with improving overall stability in the joints. This piece of equipment not only acts as a great fitness-training tool but also is widely used worldwide for rehab purposes.
The Heartcore classes take place in spacious rooms with wooden flooring and lined with between 8-10 reformer machines. Most have separate studios or carved out nooks for the spinning classes. Like most boutique studios the changing rooms are well stocked with all the products you need to glam up after class.
The standard Pilates class runs for an hour during which you work and recruit every single muscle group. Core engagement is maintained throughout. The exercises tend to vary from class to class but generally they are pretty equally focused across arms and legs. Throughout the class you are busy chopping and changing the springs and adjusting the bar position. The amount of weight assigned depends on the exercise and also on individual strength level. The instructor is on hand the entire time to guide you through the exercises, correct techniques and ensure alignment is on point. Beyond coming to grips with the equipment and bar foot positions, like any new activity you’ll need to familiarise yourself with a whole new glossary of exercise and position names such as wheelbarrows, skaters and jack knives.
So is Heartcore Pilates actually hard-core? The answer is yes, but there is a but there too. What Heartcore Pilates has going for it (and the same can be said for most reformer-based Pilates classes) is that it provides more focused and isolated targeting to certain muscle groups that you might not be able to get to as effectively through weight training alone. This is definitely the case for the leg adductor and abductor muscles which get a real hammering in the class (this is where the skaters fit in). It is also great at targeting those itty-bitty muscles in both the triceps and biceps, which females often struggle to target. Another obvious benefit is the hour-long core engagement - so whether you are doing legs, arms or ab exercises the core is continually and directly engaged throughout.
So where’s the but? I do think that reformer-based Pilates is a good supplement to weight training but it is not a replacement. As I have said before, weight training is the bedrock of resistance training and is the only true mechanism to build up strength. Pilates can certainly help to target those hard to reach areas but you won’t be able to build the muscle as effectively or increase the weight level to the extent you would with weight training. Also, regular weight training will make Pilates exercises easier as your body is already used to working under significant loading conditions.
Another slight negative is that these classes do not come cheap. A drop-in class will set you back £27. There are packages available but they’re still going to cost you a pretty penny.
Heartcore Pilates offers a varied class providing laser targeting to the ‘nook and cranny’ muscle groups. When complemented with weight training, reformer-based Pilates offer a lethal one-two punch. However, I would not forsake weight training in favour of this. The price is pretty restrictive, but it does make for an interesting change add-on to your training regime. For more details on Heartcore fitness, visit www.heartcore.co.uk