Pilates Classes in Exeter
with Fiona Swan
Book your September classes now
Pilates for beginners
Personal Training
Why practice Pilates?
Welcome to my Pilates classes at beautiful Powderham Castle, Alphington Community Theatre, and online. Whether you're new to exercise or returning, I offer sessions suitable for beginners and intermediate levels.
In all classes, the exercises are layered from easy (Level 1) to more challenging (Level 3), ensuring that everyone can practice Pilates effectively and get the best possible results. ​​
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​​​​​Pilates is a low-impact way to stretch and strengthen the entire body. It's suitable for everyone, both men and women, and all fitness levels. The controlled and focused movements are an effective way to improve overall body strength and range of movement around joints. It's also great for balance, agility, and coordination, which become increasingly important as we age.
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Pilates is based on the 34 original Joseph Pilates mat-based exercises, which allow all muscle groups to be stretched and strengthened, leading to improvements in muscle mass and bone density. Pilates is particularly effective in managing 'non-specific' lower back issues and is also a great way to correct any postural issues. ​It can also enhance various other sports and activities, such as golf and kayaking.
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​To ensure that individuals get the most out of my mat-based Pilates sessions, I offer separate classes at Powderham Castle & Alphington Community Theatre Room for beginner and intermediate levels. This allows me to keep class sizes small and everyone can start at an appropriate level and make good progress. See Class Timetable
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​​​​If you are short on time, I also offer a livestreamed class on Monday at 8.15am and Wednesday at 8.45 am, enabling Pilates to fit around your lifestyle and use any Pilates equipment you already have. We particularly focus strengthening exercises using a variety of weights. See Class Timetable
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Alternatively, you may prefer a one-to-one Pilates class or a more general personal training session. As a qualified personal trainer, I can develop an exercise programme to meet your specific requirements. If you would like to chat, please do give me a call.
Hope to meet you soon.​
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​ Fiona ​​​​​​​​​
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About Fiona
Fiona enjoys working with individuals to help improve health and fitness - both in class and the great outdoors.
Fiona is a Level 3 Mat Based Pilates instructor, with additional training in Exercise for Lower Back Care and Pilates for Common Orthopaedic Conditions.
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As an outdoor enthusiast, with a degree in Environmental Science, Fiona also teaches Nordic walking and 'forest fitness' at beautiful Haldon Forest Park. She's also a Hill and Moorland Walk Leader, providing local interest walks across Devon & Dartmoor.
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Qualified in personal training and functional strength training for ageing populations, Fiona is especially aware of the importance of maintaining muscle mass and bone density, particularly as we age. Where possible, some strength, agility, and balance training is incorporated into all classes.
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Whatever your motivation for exercise, I hope you will consider my classes as they really are suitable for everyone. Exercising with others, with guided instruction, is a great motivator and the varied exercises within the sessions may provide that extra bit of challenge you're looking for. Or reach those parts of the body you never knew existed!
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To find out more about my outdoor fitness and guided walks please see www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk
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​​​​​Registered with CIMSPA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, enhanced DBS checked and fully insured.
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Classes for Everyone
Joseph Pilates
Pilates is a 'physical fitness system' developed by Joseph Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1880. Pilates had various health concerns, so to improve his own health, he devised 34 mat-based exercises, which now feature in modern-day Pilates classes.​​​
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Pilates classes follow core principles where emphasis is given to movement with precision and control, mental concentration and breathing.
Pilates is recognised as an effective way to manage a range of common orthopedic conditions due to its positive impact on:
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Strength
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Flexibility
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Mobility
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Balance and Coordination
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"The online class is a great way to squeeze some exercise into my week. I don't need to travel anywhere and it's like having a brilliant teacher in my living room." Gillian Taylor ​​​
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"Fiona's classes focus on the whole body and are carefully choreographed for all levels. She has a relaxed, encouraging manner that makes you want to give things a go." Miriam Smith