Absolutely not. Complete beginners are welcome, and sessions challenge you only to the degree you're capable of-you'll never be pushed to do an exercise you're not ready for. And over time, you'll build greater skill, flexibility, and strength.
Pilates isn't aerobic, so the process can feel slow to beginners. But as you become more skilled and move on to more challenging exercises, you will most likely sweat, and you will definitely feel the workout in your muscles. Plus, there are hundreds of exercises, so you'll never be bored.
Pilates is not a weight-loss regimen; it's about building strength and flexibility, which are harder to measure. But it may change your shape as your muscles respond to the exercises, all of which are strengthening in ways that traditional workouts usually are not.
Ideally, yes, you should supplement Pilates with an aerobic workout you're comfortable with. And you'll find that, over time, the Pilates workouts will make you better able to get through others.
Some of the exercises, yes. You won't find Stott Pilates® machines in a gym; they're specialized equipment that you use only with a Pilates-certified trainer. But many of the exercises can be done without equipment, so you can keep up the practice at home. What's more, Tracey can provide you an at-home exercise regimen to follow between sessions.
Wear whatever you're comfortable in; there's no specific workout gear necessary. You will be asked to take off your shoes, though, because your feet are often used in the exercises.
Although certain traditional Pilates exercises are not appropriate for someone with a back condition, Tracey is experienced (and certified) in how to work with back issues and still give you a challenging, effective workout. A back condition is also an excellent reason to do one-on-one Pilates training before trying group classes or exercises at home.
Tracey has training and experience with musculoskeletal issues and injuries, osteoporosis, dance-related injuries, and pre- and post-partum concerns. That means, your workout will be customized to strengthen these areas if appropriate, and avoid them if not. In all cases, you should discuss your injury or condition with your instructor before beginning any Pilates work; it may not be recommended for very recent or serious injuries.
"Contrology [now Pilates] develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit."