How safe is Pilates?

Pilates has swiftly become the capital's most sought-after exercise routine, promising a washboard stomach, strong back and an improved posture that makes you look 10lb lighter. Courses in the best-known private studios have six-month waiting lists. But now long-term enthusiasts are claiming that many new classes are not real Pilates and, worse still, they could be bad for us.

We sent Christine Hocking, a Pilates teacher with 25 years' experience, to six popular London classes to see what's really going on. Christine, who runs, Pilates-Based Body Awareness, was shocked at what she found. "It was 'fitness-club Pilates' - a much-reduced version."

Whereas the true discipline is taught by experts in small studios, using a range of equipment and costing about £20 a lesson, the cheaper way is to attend mat-work classes with a dozen or more students.

Classes are often taken by hastily trained teachers illversed in the potential pitfalls. Joseph Pilates's original matwork exercises were designed for ultra-fit dancers, and can wreak havoc on the average city-dweller's body. At worst, badly taught classes might strain backs; at best, they do little good, and leave people feeling disillusioned.

Because of its popularity with ladies-who-lunch, Pilates is perceived as a "girly" workout. But taught properly, it strengthens, rebalances and realigns the body. The technique builds up weak areas and encourages body-awareness. Victoria Beckham claimed it helped regain her slender figure after her second child, Romeo, was born.

"Club Pilates is not useless," says Christine, "but I have concerns regarding the breathing patterns, inadequate stretches and reduced syllabus.

"Club Pilates can be taught safely at a basic level only - tougher exercises put strain on muscles and joints and goes against the goals of Pilates."

Christine Hocking: 020 7240 5922.

Six Pilates classes tested in secret

CLASS ONE

WHERE: Council subsidised leisure centre, the Porchester Centre, W2 (020 7792 2919).

TEACHER: Jocelynne Mandelstam, formerly an aerobics teacher. Having qualified with the Pilates Institute, she has been teaching for three years.

HOW GOOD IS IT? Typical of the reduced version of club Pilates. Fine for most people. CHRISTINE SAYS: "With all her experience in aerobics, Jocelynne knows what a "safe class" is. However, I was rather worried by the way she interpreted the concept of "pelvis neutral" (keeping the natural curve in the backbone - a basic part of Pilates theory). Her explanation was at best inadequate.

"A sensitive back could well suffer damage following instructions as given in this class. Important stretches, such as the quadriceps, adductors and chest, weren't included.

"No corrections were given to the feet during the floor exercises. Nor were triceps mentioned. Pilates is total body work. You neglect areas such as these at your peril."

Score: two out of 10

CLASS TWO

WHERE: At the Budokwai Club, SW10.

TEACHER: Gillian Greenwood, who has trained in the Body Control Pilates method, and also teaches at other venues (020 7385 3577).

HOW GOOD IS IT? A good class, though with a reduced range of movements and stretches. Delightfully calming, but it was also remarkably unphysical.

CHRISTINE SAYS: "I rather enjoyed her idea of 'floating the weight of my limbs' - most refreshing. I didn't agree entirely on alignment, but that's a matter of professional opinion. But Gillian has a touch of the guru about her and for what it is, it's good.

Score: seven out of 10

CLASS THREE

WHERE: Holmes Place, W11 (020 7243 4141).

TEACHER: Jo Ellison, a graduate of the Laban Centre (dance) who has completed the first year of her Pilates Foundation course.

HOW GOOD IS IT? Good, basic club Pilates class, but not enough hands-on correction.

CHRISTINE SAYS: "This class had more physical impact and Jo's dance background and love of human movement show. She spent most of the time leading by demonstration, which does have the benefit of maintaining a good dynamic.
"However, very little time was given over to hands-on correction, something I have always regarded as one of the essences of Pilates teaching. "Time wasn't given to explaining the why of Pilates. Either she felt it unnecessary or she didn't have the confidence to try to inspire her students."

Score: three out of 10

CLASS FOUR

WHERE: Private health club Dragons, Muswell Hill, N10 (020 8444 8212).

TEACHER: Taught by Julie Driver, who has done two years of training in the Body Control Pilates method.

HOW GOOD WAS IT? An "advanced" class by the standards of Club Pilates. Good, thorough and intelligent.

CHRISTINE SAYS: "Julie knows this is just club Pilates (she also knows how to teach using studio-based equipment). She was in there like a shot to correct pelvic malalignment, which is great. This is more like it. Good work and a rather delightful club managed by Jo Pond."

Score: five out of 10

CLASS FIVE

WHERE: Studio Lindberg, W1 (020 7629 4040). TEACHER: A rather inexperienced girl - admittedly a stand-in for someone else - as a Pilates teacher and body-worker.

HOW GOOD WAS IT? Good attitude, but poor teaching.

CHRISTINE SAYS: "Studio Lindberg offers group classes, maximum number six. This could be an ideal setting for top-quality Pilates mat-work tuition.
"She had a good attitude, and did the best she could, but this is not enough. She needs to learn a great deal more about the body and its bio-mechanics, about breathing, about postural integration, and the original Pilates system itself.

"The class included very stressful breathing patterns, which are too much for bodies used to a sedentary life to cope with. The class enjoyed themselves. They all thought a Pilates class had taken place - I didn't."

Score: one out of 10

CLASS SIX

WHERE: at The Third Space, W1 (020 7439 6333).

TEACHER: Taught by Sarah Doherty, another Laban graduate (BA Dance) with a one-year Pilates Foundation course behind her.

HOW GOOD WAS IT? Basic club Pilates, but well taught and enjoyable.

CHRISTINE SAYS: "Sarah has an excellent personality for teaching Pilates - she's clever, strict, bossy, friendly and funny. She is clear about what she wants you to do and she will get it. Her background in movement studies helps her teaching enormously.

"Technically, she used the 'pelvis neutral' position inappropriately, and included some stressful breathing patterns, but Sarah taught well. She's going to do very well as she matures.

Score: five out of 10