People of all ages and walks of life are realizing tremendous benefits from pilates

By Mary Malik

There are just as many reasons for working out as there are people doing it. For some it’s about stress relief or adopting a healthy lifestyle. Others want to perform better and longer at other activities like golf or tennis. And some just want to look and feel better.

The staff at Club Pilates in Willoughby takes the time to find out why you’re there and develop a plan for you to reach your goals.

“We have everyone from first timers to members who discovered Pilates years ago and are happy to have a studio in their own neighborhood,” General Manager Alex Benn says. “Everyone has a reason. That’s why we say, ‘Do Pilates, do life.’”

Club Pilates is celebrating its first anniversary here in Willoughby, welcoming new members every day and partnering with this community.

“We’re involved with local charities like Lake County’s End 68 Hours of Hunger and The 24 in 24 benefitting children battling life-threatening illnesses,” owner Beth Andrus says. “We help however we can along with serving our passionate members.”

Karen Katona is one of those members who in the last year has logged more than 100 private sessions with her trainer, Courtney Dawson.

“I went to another studio in Cleveland Heights and worked with a private trainer,” Karen says. “When I heard Club Pilates was opening in my neighborhood, I joined and found Courtney. Courtney pushes me and I’m doing things and seeing results I never expected.”

Karen prefers the one-on-one format of private lessons, but Club Pilates has something for everyone. There’s a plan, and a class, for whatever your goals and abilities might be, and when you’re ready for more, they’ll give you that.

Classes include Traditional Levels 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0, Cardio Sculpt, Jump Board, Suspend Pilates and TRX, Barre Class and CP Fit, a functional interval training class.

Greg Sommers started Pilates last October and has taken 150 classes.

“My core strength is the best it’s ever been,” Greg says. “My back pain is gone, and my increased flexibility has really helped my golf game.”

Greg also loves the variety of Pilates workouts and enjoys the challenge.

“Pilates is designed to be easy on the joints,” Courtney says. “Joseph Pilates created the Pilates method in internment camps where prisoners became bedridden due to lack of activity. His Reformer apparatus was designed to strengthen the core first. The story goes that many of these ‘disciples,’ as Pilates devotees are called, began walking after being told they never would.”

Pilates offers ways of engaging muscles with the goal of lengthening and straightening the spine and strengthening your core.

After four ankle and two knee surgeries, Tara Soederstrom took her first class on opening day at Club Pilates. That was 365 classes ago. That’s right—365 classes in 365 days. But Tara says that’s not the impressive part of her story.

“With Pilates I gained strength and endurance and pushed myself in this empowering culture of support and friendship,” Tara says. “Physical therapy couldn’t get me where I am today. Pilates did. There’s no place I would rather be.”

Pilates instructors go through 500 documented hours of training both in practice and teaching hours and training is offered at the Willoughby Club Pilates.

“We’re all certified instructors with a dual background in either the health or fitness field,” Courtney says. “We are here to protect you, keep you moving and doing the things you love.”

Club Pilates is located at 5872 Som Center Road in Willoughby. For information call 440-856-4040 or check the website ClubPilates.com/willoughbysouth.