The strange articulated bed looks like a torture device. However, it was supposedly made for our well-being. Lying on a mini-mattress that slides as you pull on springs, you’re not there to sleep, but to tame this machine determined to make us sweat. The “reformer” is the new version of Pilates, a sport highly appreciated in gym rooms for its ability to strengthen the abdominal belt, improve posture, and work on deep muscles. This practice has been introduced in Angoulême at the Space Tempo by Barbara Potel on Bordeaux Street and at Saint-Yrieix at the Noona Studio since last week. This cozy room in soft colors is exclusively dedicated to this popular practice in big cities and highly anticipated in Angoulême.
Barbara Potel’s six classes are almost always full, while Nina Soun in Saint-Yrieix offers between six and seven sessions per day, plus three on Saturday mornings. Four out of seven courses are already fully booked. Even before the opening of the studio, the young woman had already recorded 209 trial sessions and over 2000 followers on Instagram. “Since I’ve been working on this project for a year, I sensed a great demand,” she said. As a former advertising buyer in transition, she felt the trend and invested around $100,000 in her studio equipped with a shower and girly dressing rooms with all the necessary beauty essentials.
This ancient technique is managed by the 34-year-old woman, who doesn’t provide the classes herself. She employs three, soon to be four, coaches, including Nathalie Lecourt, an independent Pilates instructor. “It’s a very old technique,” she assured, mentioning Joseph Pilates, the German inventor of the discipline who used to treat war wounded on their hospital beds with springs and straps. The benefits are similar to floor Pilates, but more comfortable on the bench, ensuring proper posture and greater muscle engagement.
Barbara Potel opted for candy pink machines in her Bordeaux studio, where she felt the immediate enthusiasm. “It’s the power of networks. People are looking for novelty and eager to try new things. It’s very trendy in big cities,” she explained, highlighting the studio’s ability to almost provide a personalized class where cardio can be enhanced while preserving joints and focusing on mind, body, and breath.
80-year-old Joëlle Cramailh, with hip prostheses, makes the journey from Aubeterre to enjoy the Pilates. She’s in great shape thanks to the practice she has been doing on the floor for years. Anne Martinot, at 40, appreciates the muscle toning without injuries and the gentle approach compared to gym workouts. However, Pilates can be more expensive than other fitness activities, with prices around $18 per class and various subscription options available at different studios.
Context: The article discusses the introduction of Pilates Reformer, a new version of Pilates, in Angoulême, France. The technique uses an articulated bed to enhance the Pilates experience, offering benefits similar to traditional Pilates but with additional features and comfort.
Fact Check: Joseph Pilates was actually a German physical trainer who developed the Pilates method during World War I to improve the physical condition of rehabilitation patients. Pilates’ principles focus on core strength, flexibility, and coordination, aiming to create a balanced body and prevent injuries.
