I have attended Jules Hardman Pilates’ classes since 2012 and I simply love them.

Jules’ clear instructions and detailed positioning make the exercises so easy to follow and really enjoyable.  Whether I attend the classes face to face or via Zoom, safety and wellbeing are always of utmost importance.

Over time my posture and core have really improved, which has made so much difference to my neck and shoulder problems.

Gillian Swain

I have been learning Pilates with Jules Hardman for the last four years. I am nearly 73 and very active, playing tennis up to five times a week, golf two or three times a week and going to a personal trainer at a gym once a week for an hour. I still play over 70’s hockey for the North of England, I row at home, go to Intermediate Pilates and HIP Pilates once a week each and, according to my physio, whom I see fairly frequently, generally abuse my body.

Be that as it may, I don’t listen and I thoroughly enjoy Pilates and HIP with Jules and attribute my continued and improving ability to move freely and quickly to her. I suffer various aches and pains, as most of us do, but these are almost eradicated as I get better at exercising and improving my strength, flexibility, coordination and core stability.

Both disciplines are all about controlled stretching and flexibility added to the core strengthening purpose of Pilates. I am more aware of what I can do now and can identify what parts of my body are ok and those that need help.

I am also very lucky to be in a class for both disciplines with Jules and collectively, a group of attractive, chatty and friendly girls (not forgetting Chris!). We have fun at the same time as we work hard. Unfortunately my hearing isn’t as good as it used to be and I miss many of their little gems of wit and wisdom having been banished to the far corner of the room!

No matter what your age and exercise ability, I wholly recommend both the disciplines of Pilates and HIP, especially with Jules – she is very good at demonstrating how the moves should be done and knows individual limitations. I love it.

Berkeley Thirsk

 

“I have been attending Jules’ Pilates classes for a number of years and I consider them to be an integral part of my physical and mental fitness program. Jules continually strives to keep the classes interesting and challenging and provides us with different equipment and exercises. It is rare to find an instructor with such a genuine desire to improve clients’ well-being and ensure that they gain the greatest benefit from their Pilates classes.”

Alison Humphries

 

“I started Jules’ pilates class after having my baby and was looking to strengthen my core through exercise suitable to undertake 10 weeks post-partum. Jules’ classes are well-structured, different each week and well-explained. I had previously participated in other pilates classes, but after doing Jules’ beginner course I realised the importance of mastering the basics before moving onto the more challenging pilates exercises. I like how Jules uses the different pilates equipment to vary her classes and introduce her clients to different ways of modifying the basic exercises. I always feel energised after my pilates classes and I know the exercises have been essential in stretching out my tight leg muscles from running (and running after a toddler). As you can move up the various levels of classes, I feel Jules has something to offer for anyone interested in pilates; from novice to experienced.”

Claire Gibbons

 

“Monday morning Pilates – it is the one thing that up-lifts my spirits.  Who can honestly say they love Mondays, but Pilates with Jules makes that possible.   Since attending Jules’ classes my posture and core have improved and I have even lost inches from my waistline.

What more can you ask from a Monday!”

Gillian Swain

 

“I have been attending classes with Jules now for about 3 years. I initially went as I have problems in my lower back and hip areas and as a result this was starting to affect other areas of my body. Pilates has helped with strengthening these areas as well as improve my core strength and balance. I always leave classes pain free. Together with clear, precise instructions from Jules  I also immensely enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, and the social aspect of the class is a bonus!”

Gill Carr

 

“I took up doing Pilates because I had a problem with my knee.  Pilates has helped me enormously and it keeps me flexible and supple.  Classes with Jules are great fun and she is a super teacher.”

Sarah Kennon

 

“I signed up with Jules Pilates because I wanted to improve my posture and stretch away several tightness problems. Jules classes are perfect! She keeps them to a size she can ensure everyone is exercising properly, the routines are varied with an assortment of aids, ie stretch bands, foam rollers and spiked balls. Classes are fun and yet Jules is always professional. Also, importantly, Jules herself is lovely, easy to approach and always ready to discuss any body fitness issues you may have. I highly recommend.”

Sarah Brady

 

“I joined Jules’s class hoping to become a bit fitter and the class has greatly exceeded my expectations

I thoroughly enjoy the session, feel much stronger and more supple because of it and miss it when we have a break

Jules is very professional and an excellent teacher but she is also friendly, very kind and endlessly patient.

I would thoroughly recommend her classes.”

Alison McCready

 

“I started from scratch in pilates classes with Jules nearly 2 years ago. Jules is highly professional, kind and ensures that everybody in the group feels supported.  Pilates has increased  my flexibility considerably  and I leave each class feeling the benefits. I enjoy every class and I highly recommend Jules as a teacher.”

Susan Wareham

 

“I have been going to Pilates classes for several years now. I enjoy the classes very much as they are small and therefore we  are able to receive individual attention. I decided on Pilates classes after I turned 70 as I enjoy the controlled and gentle but precise movement of the discipline. Jules is very careful to make sure each individual is executing the movements in the correct manner and helps every person as they need.

I really feel that Pilates is a great discipline for the achievement of good breathing plus inner body and muscle control and I would certainly recommend it as a healthy option.”

Joan Fitzgerald

 

“Even though I have back problems I feel safe with Jules. I know she’ll make sure I’m performing the exercises correctly to target the muscles I need to strengthen. She is precise and will correct my positioning even if I am only slightly out of alignment, so I know I will do no harm. I am proud to have progressed from the beginner’s class to the advanced class over a period of six years. Although I have had a few health issues recently, Jules has been accommodating, fitting me in classes appropriate to my fitness level that week.”

Jo Reed

 

“I’ve been to several Pilates classes over the years and always enjoyed it.

The beauty of Jules’s class is that because the numbers are limited, we get her concentrated attention which is important to make sure that we are aligned properly and therefore getting the most benefit from the exercises. I’ve been to other Pilates classes where there were probably four times as many people which meant that most of us were probably not even doing it correctly.

Jules is a perfectionist, but she also has a wicked sense of humour which makes the hour pass very enjoyably. I’ve met some lovely people and it has become one of the highlights of my week.”

Kay Bennett

 

“I took up Pilates in order to attempt to keep as supple as possible. Jules’ classes are excellent:

–       her classes have the right number of pupils in order to give plenty of space for exercising and to enable Jules to give individual attention to pupils;

–       the exercises are designed to treat all parts of the body; and

–       Jules takes into account any injuries/problems a pupil has and will modify or give an alternative exercise.

The atmosphere is friendly and I always look forward to Jules’ classes as I have definitely benefitted over the number of years I have been attending.”

Ann Butterworth

 

“I have been attending Pilates classes with Jules Hardman for the last 2-3 years. Having suffered from chronic back pain off and on since a fall in the gym at school,  (many years ago!) I was initially recommended to visit a Chiropractor who certainly solved the pain initially but a few years later when the pain returned he advised that the problem was more serious and referred me to a neurosurgeon who told me that I required a discectomy.  This was nearly thirty years ago.  This was successful  but I have occasionally had sciatic flare ups and on visiting my chiropractor again, after initially easing the problem, he said that he highly recommended Pilates to help.   I took up his recommendation and enrolled with Jules Hardman over two years ago.  I still get the occasional flare up but I am in no doubt that the weekly classes are helping to keep this problem at bay.”

Diana Hutchison

 

“I had done Pilates previously but my gym closed down and needed to find somewhere local. I am delighted that l found Jules via a google search for classes in the area.

I had had a shoulder operation prior to joining the class and have found it most helpful encouraging me to get full movement in my arm.

I have been enjoying the classes with the expert advise given at all times. Can’t wait for the classes to become more challenging.”

Ann Harvey

 

“I have been one of Jules clients for just over a year. My aims were to increase my core strength and flexibility as a key part of an overall improvement in my fitness. Jules’s Pilates classes have significantly helped me in all these areas and have also as a welcome side effect drastically improved my performance and ability in my other fitness activities.  Not only that but the classes are thoroughly enjoyable and something I look forward to doing. There are of course other alternatives, but if you want to learn Pilates properly and practice it with accuracy then Jules classes are the only ones to choose.”

Mark Edgeworth, Alderley Edge

 

As days draw shorter and the cold increases, the lure of our Winter retreat in Western Australia continues to be irresistible. Squash, golf and the beach beckon!