This blog post isn’t about showing off beautiful photos, as much as it is a raving review for Core Pilates Studio, here in Anchorage. I joined Core not too much longer after we moved here in the summer of 2013, and can’t speak highly enough about them! After all my many years of cheer and dance, running doesn’t work out well on my knees, and I just can’t handle the slow pace of (most) yoga classes. My goal was to find a fitness facility nearby, that offered a variety of classes at different intensity levels, that I LOVED. I mean, we all know that when it’s dark and freezing out, you really need to love your workout as much as possible to keep motivated and committed. After trying several places around town, Core Pilates unanimously won my heart. I’ll be honest, a membership there is not cheap, but I can say without a SHADOW of a doubt, that it is worth EVERY penny. There are THREE things that I contribute my (mostly) smooth pregnancy to… my Snoogle pregnancy pillow, my incredibly supportive husband, and Core Pilates! In no particular order, of course. ;-) I’m 100% confident that keeping my core strong, has everything to do with feeling so good (and aligned) as my baby belly takes over. Did I mention that they have wonderful Massage Therapists on hand also!? Major perk for my aching back there. The folks at Core REALLY know their stuff. They don’t just tell you what to do, they show you AND they make sure you understand WHY it’s best done that way. With my sporadic knee issues, the instructors always have great modifications ready when I need them. And even more recently (even pretty early in my pregnancy), they have been BEYOND wonderful with even more extensive modifications as my body changes. Being high risk, I never in a million years would have thought I would be ‘working out’ in my third trimester, but they make that possible. Now, almost everything I that I do in the classes I attend is modified, BUT I’m keeping active at an intensity level that’s best for me. That alone confirms they kick A$$. Lets be clear, they are certainly not brain readers, so you HAVE to communicate with each of them to get the best out of your workout and membership. Be sure to let them know that a) you are new and/or just need clearer instruction b) you have an injury and/or would like a modification c) an exercise doesn’t feel right for some reason d) you just straight up have constructive feedback on something they’re doing in class. There isn’t an instructor on the payroll there that isn’t always pushing themselves and their clients to do their best. Just another reason that I’m sad to be leaving Anchorage! I can imagine that it’s going to be so hard to find a new studio that I love this much in Houston. Seriously, they’re so awesome, that I’ve actually even become friends with several of them. I’ve had the opportunity to photograph their studio and lovely staff over the past couple of months, and I wanted to take a few minutes to brag on them! Some of them are showing off some of their more difficult moves in the photos below, so if you have NO clue what Pilates is, I assure you it’s not that intimidating at all. ;-) If you live anywhere near south Anchorage, and are looking for a new work out, definitely check Core Pilates out soon. You can find a list and description of their classes here, and they even offer a free beginners intro class at 9am on Saturdays. Be sure to try all the many different classes out. Once you figure out which one’s you love, you can get signed up for them online or with their handy app in advance. Just as they should, the good classes fill up quickly. ;-)