Purely Pilates Studio

As an ex dancer I love the fluidity of some pilates movements. Did you know that the mat work series is designed to be practiced as a sequence? It takes a good hour and half to two hours to move fluidly from one exercise to the next and by the end your body feels incredible! Just as Joseph pilates intended ✨

One of my favourite transitions on the Reformer is moving from the Elephant series straight into Up Stretch.

It looks smooth when it comes together, but there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.

The sequence requires strength, control, mobility , great shoulder placement and the ability to move with precision rather than momentum. It encourages you to work your body as a whole - the emphasis of all Pilates movements! We are a whole unit, not individual pieces….

In Pilates, we’re not just performing individual exercises—we’re learning how to move seamlessly from one movement to the next. That continuity develops body awareness, efficiency and confidence, creating movement that feels strong, purposeful and effortless.

Never to be rushed. It’s about finding rhythm, control and connection.

🧡Want to experience the Reformer for yourself? Get in touch to book your introductory session or 1:1 at Purely.

Ever wondered what your instructor finds most rewarding about teaching Pilates?

It’s a question we don’t get asked very often, but one we all have the same answer to...

Making you feel better!

Every client who walks through our doors has their own story, their own goals, and their own reasons for being here. Whether it’s recovering from an injury, managing pain, building strength, or simply taking an hour for themselves, we love being part of that journey.

For us, the most rewarding moments aren’t always the big milestones.

They’re the moments when someone says:

“I can finally sleep without back pain”

“I’m back playing paddel again”

“I can keep up with my grandson”

“I feel stronger than I have in years.”

“I never thought I’d be able to do that!”

Watching confidence grow is just as rewarding as watching strength develop.

We love helping people reconnect with their bodies, move with confidence, and realise they’re capable of so much more than they thought.

We feel incredibly lucky to do what we do every day, and we’re grateful to every one of our lovely clients ❤️

Why is the Glute Med so important? 🍑

The gluteus medius is one of the unsung heroes of movement. It sits on the outside of your hip and plays a huge role in keeping your pelvis level when you’re standing, walking, climbing stairs, running, or balancing on one leg.

When it’s working well, it helps support the hip, knee and even the foot, making movement more efficient and reducing unnecessary strain elsewhere in the body. When it’s not doing its job its weakness can contribute to aches and pains in the hips, knees or lower back.

People often think of the clam as ‘the ‘glute med exercise… but there are so many more interesting (and functional!) ways to challenge it.

Here’s a few of my favourites:

✨ Standing leg press on the Chair – so much more than a leg press! It demands balance, standing hip stability and deep hip rotation while the supporting leg works hard to keep everything organised.

✨ Delightfully named ‘Leg Pull’ on the Reformer – this one requires loads of lateral hip stability on the supporting side. Remember, Pilates is a whole-body method, so the muscle getting the biggest benefit isn’t always the one that’s moving the most.

✨ Hip Hitch with a ball – a brilliant exercise to practise at home. It looks simple… until you try it! Great for improving pelvic control and glute med activation.

✨ Classic side leg lifts, progressing into the more advanced kneeling version – building strength while challenging trunk stability and control.

✨ Single-leg squats on a BOSU – slightly wobbly, definitely challenging! In fact, almost any single-leg balance exercise is fantastic for developing glute med strength and improving overall stability.

Strong glute med muscles aren’t just about stronger hips—they’re about moving well, feeling more stable and creating a solid foundation for everything from everyday walking to more demanding exercise.

Thank you to all those who participated in our 121 competition. We now have the results.... and the winner will be notified by email.

Names were put into a Gemma "milner" jar...see what we did there?? and one winning name was selected at random.

Google reviews really help to boost our visability on line and really help our small business. Thank you

✨ Meet David ✨

David suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2024. Having practised Pilates before, he knew it would be an important part of his recovery once he was ready to begin moving again.

A brain haemorrhage can affect balance, coordination and muscle control, making it more difficult to stand, walk and carry out everyday movements. Many people feel unsteady on their feet, which can reduce confidence and increase the risk of falls.

Since starting 1:1 sessions at Purely with Elda, David has worked consistently to rebuild his strength, balance and coordination.

His family and friends have noticed the difference too. He’s walking in a straighter line, moving with more confidence, and feeling steadier in everyday life.

One exercise that’s been a real challenge is the Side Splits on the Reformer. It demands balance, control and stability—and when we first introduced it, it certainly wasn’t easy!

Now? David can do it. 💪

Moments like these are what rehabilitation is all about. Progress doesn’t always happen overnight, but with patience, consistency and the right guidance, those small improvements add up to life-changing results.

We’re so proud of how far you’ve come, David. 👏

✨ Every recovery journey is unique, but movement can be a powerful part of rebuilding confidence, independence and quality of life.

📩 If you’re recovering from an injury and would like to find out how could support your rehabilitation, get in touch to book a 1:1 assessment. We will start to work with clients once they have been approved to do that by their physiotherapist or health practitioner.

I fancied a bit of a power focus yesterday, so here’s the Step Up Series on the Pilates Chair.

I start off a little wobbly (keeping it real! 😅), but it gets better. Wait until midway through the Back Step Down and you’ll see I’m really having to work!

One of the reasons I love the Chair—and this sequence in particular—is that it challenges you in a vertical position.

Most of our lives are spent standing, walking, climbing stairs, reaching, carrying and balancing. Yet so much of our exercise happens lying on our backs or sitting down.

Training in standing helps develop the strength, balance, control and power we need for everyday life. It teaches the body to coordinate from the feet all the way up through the hips, centre and spine, making movement more efficient and resilient.

The Chair has a way of exposing every little wobble, but that’s exactly why it’s such a brilliant piece of equipment. It demands focus, precision and control while building functional strength that transfers directly into daily life.

And yes... your legs definitely know they’ve been working afterwards! 🔥

Ready to experience the Pilates Chair for yourself?

📩 Get in touch to book your 1:1 or introductory session at Purely and discover how training smarter—not just harder—can help you move with greater strength, confidence and ease.