Brandi Smith Pilates - Take 2
By Julie Perine on February 17, 2014
The second six-week session of Brandi Smith’s pilates class starts today at the Benedum Civic Center. A program of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation, the bi-weekly class had quite a successful debut. It was filled to capacity.
“We had a good mix of beginners who had never done any kind of pilates, as well as a lot of people who were already active and were able to incorporate pilates into their normal work-out routine,” Smith said.
Those who enrolled shared that they had done so for a variety of reasons.
“A lot of them just wanted to feel better – to increase their flexibility and become more active,” Smith said.
During the last couple of classes, students were able to gauge their progress.
“Some who couldn’t touch their toes were able to put their entire hands on the ground,” she said.
In addition to a class full of females, the class had one male student, who enrolled at the advice of his chiropractor, Smith said.
Smith was actually drawn to pilates because of her own medical history.
When she was just an infant, she underwent corrective surgery for a club foot. Growing up, she was active, playing softball in her Boone County hometown. Still, there were limits to her athletic involvement. In high school, sports like track and cross country were not options.
As an adult, Smith – who relocated to Bridgeport in 2008 – also has limitations with regard to fitness. Fortunately for her, there is an option which is such a perfect fit, she took a little ownership in it.
“I’ve taken Pilates for the last six years,” said Smith, 27. “I became an instructor last summer.”
For the past several months, Smith has assisted in the instruction of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Pilates classes. This is her second six-week session going solo.
Smith’s Pilates classes begin 6 p.m. today at the Benedum Civic Center. The hour-long classes will continue Mondays and Thursdays through March 27. Cost for the six-week session is $36.
The Pilates fitness system is low-impact so it places no stress on the joints or ankles, Smith said.
“It’s a lot like yoga; kind of where flexibility meets strength.”
People of all ages, shapes and sizes and with various fitness goals choose Pilates.
“It really helps whether you have muscles hurting or if you just want to get a little bit fit in your normal routine,” Smith said. “It lengthens muscles and strengthens without resulting in bulging muscles.”
Much of the class time is spent doing floor exercises, some with light weights (provided).
Smith was introduced to Pilates during college. She went on to take part in boot camp and cycling classes, both which she enjoyed. But it was Pilates which stuck and became part of her lifestyle.
“It kind of hits everything; it’s an all-over body toner,” she said.
Those who take the class will feel healthier and gain far-reaching benefits, Smith said.
“We really focus on core exercises and strengthening those belly muscles and that helps you do anything – whether it’s picking up groceries or moving furniture,” she said. “You can really tell your interior is much stronger.”
In addition to transforming the way the body looks, feels and performs by building lean, long muscles and flexible joints, Pilates is known to improve the mind-body connection.
“It’s really relaxing,” said Smith, who works professionally as an engineer. “You also really notice your posture getting better.”
To register for Smith’s Pilates classes, call Bridgeport Parks and Recreation at 304-842-8240 or stop at the Benedum Civic Center office.
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