If you’ve been stretching consistently but your splits still feel no closer, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common frustrations I hear from pole dancers and aerialists:
“I stretch every day, but I just can’t seem to get any lower.”
The truth is, flexibility isn’t simply about stretching. While stretching has its place, it isn’t the only ingredient needed to achieve a full split, and in many cases, it isn’t the limiting factor at all.
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Training regularly? This one’s for you…
When people think of physiotherapy, they often imagine someone hobbling in after an injury, a twisted ankle, a pulled muscle, or post-surgery rehab. But physiotherapy isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s also about preventing them, improving performance, and helping you move better for longer.
“A recreational athlete is someone who trains or competes in their sport about 2 to 5 times per week for enjoyment, fitness, or personal goals, without competing professionally.”
If you’re a recreational athlete, whether you’re a runner, pole dancer, aerialist, cyclist, swimmer, or weekend warrior, seeing a physiotherapist before pain sets in can be one of the best investments you make in your body.
Here’s why:
1. Injury prevention beats injury recovery:
Most sports injuries don’t happen out of the blue; they build up over time due to imbalances, overuse, or poor movement patterns. A physiotherapist can identify early warning signs, such as restricted joint mobility, muscle imbalances, or movement compensations, before they become a problem.
Think of it as a ‘physical MOT‘, we assess how your body moves and loads, so you can keep doing what you love without interruption.
2. Optimise your performance without guesswork:
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to want to improve how you move. Whether you’re working on a pole trick, aiming for a longer run, or simply want to feel stronger in your gym sessions, physio can help you:
No more cookie-cutter training plans; we tailor them to your sport, your goals, and your body.
3. Recreational athletes often train without support:
You may not have a coach, a team physio, or a structured training programme, and that’s where things can unravel. You’re more likely to:
A physio acts like your movement mentor, helping you train smarter, not just harder.
4. Support for active recovery & long-term health:
Your training shouldn’t leave you stiff, sore, and exhausted all the time. A physiotherapist can support you with recovery tools like:
This is especially important if you’re juggling training with work, family, or other commitments. Your body deserves the same care you give to everything else in your life.
5. Build Confidence in Your Body:
Physiotherapy isn’t just about joints and muscles; it’s about helping you feel confident in your body’s capabilities.
If you’ve ever held back in training due to fear of injury, past pain, or not feeling “strong enough,” a physiotherapist can help bridge that gap. We empower you with knowledge, support, and practical tools to feel capable, resilient, and ready for more.
Bottom line? You don’t need to be broken to see a Physio.
Just like regular dental check-ups or car servicing, a proactive physio session is a smart step for any active person, even (especially!) if you feel pretty good right now.
If you’re a recreational athlete and want to future-proof your body, feel confident in your training, and stay injury-free, let’s chat.
Book your Movement MOT or drop me a message if you’re unsure what you need. I’ll always point you in the right direction.
Jane Cole
Chartered Physiotherapist | Pole & Aerial Specialist
Free Your Body Therapy & Pole Kinetics PT
Traditional exercises and manual therapies may come to mind when you think of physiotherapy. But have you ever wondered why some physiotherapists, like me, incorporate the Pilates Reformer into their treatment plans? This innovative piece of equipment has a rich history and offers unique benefits that can bridge the gap between injury recovery and performance enhancement.
A Brief History of the Pilates Reformer:
Joseph Pilates invented the Pilates Reformer in the early 20th century as part of his comprehensive approach to physical fitness, which he called “Contrology.” Designed originally for rehabilitation, the Reformer helped bedridden patients regain strength and mobility. Over the years, it evolved into a versatile fitness tool embraced by athletes, dancers, and anyone looking to improve their physical capabilities.
Joseph’s concept was simple yet revolutionary: controlled resistance through springs and a sliding carriage could strengthen and lengthen muscles simultaneously. This principle is just as relevant today as it was a century ago, making the Reformer a natural fit for physiotherapy.
Why Do Physiotherapists Use the Reformer?
Controlled Progression for Recovery:
Rehabilitation often requires balancing the body’s challenges and protecting it from further strain. The Reformer beautifully provides this balance. Its adjustable resistance allows me to tailor exercises to your specific needs, whether you’re recovering, you’re undergoing surgery, managing chronic pain, or addressing a recent injury. For instance, gentle resistance can aid in reactivating weak muscles, while greater tension can gradually build strength in a controlled manner.
Restoring Functional Movement:
The Reformer is ideal for retraining movement patterns that may have been lost due to injury or compensations. It enables precise, guided movements that mimic real-life activities. This focus on functional movement ensures that progress in the clinic translates to better mobility and strength in your daily life.
Joint-Friendly Exercise:
Many exercises, especially those involving weights or impact, can strain joints. The Reformer offers a low-impact alternative that protects your joints while still providing an effective workout. This particularly benefits individuals with arthritis, joint replacements, or other conditions requiring careful load management.
Strength and Mobility for Every Body:
Whether you’re an elite you’re or a weekend gardener, the Reformer caters to all fitness levels. It’s especially visible for targeting deep stabilising muscles, which are often neglected in traditional workouts. This translates to better shoulder control, core stability, and overall movement efficiency for pole athletes, aerialists, or anyone performing overhead tasks.
Injured or Not: The Reformer Fits Your Goals:
For Injury Rehabilitation: The Reformer allows for early mobilisation and gentle strengthening during recovery. Its versatility makes it suitable for treating various conditions, from post-surgical recovery to chronic issues like back pain or tendinopathies.
For Performance Enhancement: Even if you’re injury-free you’re Reformer can elevate your fitness. With exercises that challenge your range of motion, control, and strength, it’s a powerful tool for mastering advanced movements or simply feeling stronger and more flexible in daily life.
A Personal Touch:
At my clinic, I use the Pilates Reformer not only as a treatment tool but also to empower my clients. Whether you’re an athlete looking for peak performance or someone navigating the challenges of an injury, the Reformer offers a path to better movement, confidence, and resilience.
Jane x
Chartered Physiotherapist
As a chartered physiotherapist and personal trainer, with over 15 years of experience teaching pole and aerial at my studio, Pole Perfect Fitness, I understand that preparing for a photoshoot can be both exciting and daunting.
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Optimise performance and reduce the risk of injuries with specialised Physiotherapy guidance
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In the fast-evolving world of fitness and performance arts, individuals often push their bodies to the limit to achieve new heights in skill and aesthetics.
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We at PPF look forward to our annual only Black Friday specials.
These are 1 time only offers to grab a bargain. Typically these offers are for members only but to give you a sample of our great services and the amazing community that we have at the studios, enjoy these at such a bargain you cannot miss out. You must use the code (If applicable) at time of purchase. No mistakes will be rectified.
Pilates Reformer 1-2-1:
Extremely limited availability!
Clinical Pilates is a 1-2-1 session specifically with the Pilates Reformer & is advisable if you are recovering from an injury or for those experienced in Pilates that want that extra challenge. This specialised & focused support is an invaluable investment in enabling yourself to be pushed to your own ability. This session is on a 1-2-1 basis to boost confidence prior to returning to group fitness sessions.
Use coupon BF21 when booking. Usual cancellation policy applies (12 hours) – ask if you are not sure.
NOW FULL!
For Newbies to our studios…
Perfect Block of 10:
The perfect option if you are not sure on diving into the deep end of becoming a member.
This block is valid for any 10 sessions on our schedule. The block begins on the date of the first registration. Valid for 6 weeks. No limits on weekly use of classes. No refund or transfers and usual T’s & C’s apply.
We only have 10 of these available as we are a members only studio and almost at studio capacity. Take advantage before its too late!
Want to catch up on sessions? Repeat your favourite Hybrid sessions and have on demand access to them?
Well wait no more…
Monthly access to our most popular virtual sessions, this is updated every month with our latest videos and you have access to your full library for the duration of your subscription. Members and participants get access to their sessions for 7 days, however now VOD allows you to have unlimited access to our whole library and which is building every month with new content that you can access whenever and however often you wish. Reduced for members – contact Jane for your membership code.
Only 1 of its kind!
Available just once a year GRAB THIS BARGAIN! Our RARE and UNIQUE subscription that includes our Boutique and Traditional Group fitness sessions per month and Pole or Aerial Credits per month (Subject to typical T’s & C’s), it is the ultimate membership that we offer once a year – that is it.
You will have the ultimate 48 class credits per month to use for the endless class options on our timetable, both LIVE and Virtual.
It is deemed your choice to attend as much or as little as you wish and therefore we do not accept responsibility for your usage. Subscriptions that have a set numbered limit of classes/sessions or credits per calendar month will not be rolled over if not used within that calendar month unless will no exception for this subscription.
Specific T’s & C’s:
It is a 1 off strictly non refundable payment at the start of the 12 months, does not roll over, cannot be put on hold for any reason / cannot be extended. Late cancellation of session still looses credit & No Show fee still applies if you do not cancel your sessions. Term start and end date is started from date of purchase. Current members CONTACT Jane to organise your upgrade.
If thats not tempting enough…
Here’s another £250 off!!! Please apply code (BlackMagic250) on purchase, mistakes will not be rectified.
Gyms and Studios – much like the rest of the UK, have been closed since the government announced another national lockdown on 4 January 2021. And BOI have we missed you all, virtuals have been a lifeline to many! but now at least we have some kind of roadmap to follow.
So here is our Pole Perfect Fitness Roadmap and some key dates for your diaries…
Outdoor Group Fitness – As of 29 March:
Indoor Individual / Solo Apparatus Training – As from 12th April:
Instructed Indoor Group Fitness – As from the 17th May:
No Matter What:
If you have any questions, please ask away. The PPF Team will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and feedback is always appreciated.
The Pole Perfect Fitness Team xxx
What could be nicer than lying relaxing in a beautiful silk hammock?
Unwind, switch off your thoughts and just relax for an hour in this wonderful relaxation/meditation session.
The main theme of this session is mindfulness.
Why hang from one piece of apparatus when you can hang from two at the same time!
A unique 90 minute workshop utilising the aerial hoop and silks together at the same time to form new and interesting shapes & sequences. A basic knowledge of each apparatus is desired and some pre-requisites in order to maximise your experience.
Pre-requisites: Hocks Hang, Deliah Climb
Workshop is 7:30pm to 9pm on the 19th July 2019 with very limited spaces on the 1st of it’s kind – you must pre book to be sure of a place!
Learn to use the Aerial Hoop in a whole new way!
This 4 Week Course of Lyra”O”Graphy will teach you adaptations on standard aerial hoop moves from our syllabus to new moves created by using contact with the ground, then putting them into combinations, seamless sequences and ultimately beautiful Choreography. You will improve strength, fitness, upper body strength and have an absolute blast.
An opportunity as a great alternative experience of hoop as Grounded Hoop works with an aerial hoop less than a metre off the floor to create floor to hoop spins, sequences and transitions. Use it to build confidence, inspire, create, explore and develop.
This 4 week course is £44 for non members, Inc for Bronze / Silver / Gold + Platinum members.
