Work with our network of expert physiotherapists to help get you moving and stretching more easily
If you are looking for a safe and effective way to improve strength, flexibility, and posture, clinical Pilates at Circle Health Group's Reading Hospital may be the ideal solution. Unlike standard Pilates classes, clinical Pilates is delivered by trained physiotherapists or rehabilitation specialists, ensuring every exercise is tailored to your needs.
We offer clinical Pilates as part of our physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. Whether you are recovering from injury, managing a long-term condition, or simply wanting to build core strength and reduce your risk of future problems, our team is here to guide you with expert support.
Pilates is an exercise system that was first created by physical trainer Joseph Pilates to help train and rehabilitate soldiers, dancers and other people in highly physical roles. Due to its popularity, it became clear that the exercise method could benefit everyone including those who aren’t injured.
Pilates as an exercise method focuses on combining a variety of techniques, such as concentrating on each physical movement, focusing on using your abdomen and low back muscles, performing flowing, specific movement patterns, and controlling your breathing while exercising.
Clinical Pilates combines these techniques with physiotherapy to help patients recover from an injury or health condition and get back to moving with ease again.
The cost of clinical Pilates depends on whether you book individual sessions, block packages, or group classes. You will typically need to start with a one-on-one session with a physiotherapist, who can get to know you, assess your needs, and advise on whether clinical Pilates could help you. Our initial physiotherapy sessions start from £64.
At Circle Reading Hospital, we are committed to transparent pricing. Before starting your programme, you will receive a clear breakdown of costs, with no hidden charges. Many patients choose to combine clinical Pilates with other physiotherapy treatments as part of their rehabilitation plan, which may influence the overall cost.
Private medical insurance sometimes covers clinical Pilates when it is prescribed as part of a physiotherapy-led rehabilitation programme. If you are self-funding, our advisors can explain your options and help you find a package that works for you.
Pilates may help improve your posture by stretching and strengthening your spinal muscles.
Pilates also focuses on full body alignment, joint mobility, and a balance of opposing muscles. When combined, this can help bring awareness to your spine’s alignment and strengthen neglected postural muscles, such as your rhomboids (upper back muscles).
Pilates can help improve your lower back pain. This can improve your physical function and quality of life.
Because Pilates exercises focus your pelvic floor and deeper abdominal muscles to both contract and release, these muscles work like a brace to lift and support the organs and stabilize the back.
Pilates emphasises building the strength in your core. Your ‘core’ is the group of muscles in the centre of your body, including your back, pelvis, and abdomen, that provide stability and balance to your body. If the core is strengthened, it can help support and stabilize the body. This can help to decrease back and hip pain as well as pelvic floor dysfunction.
Flexibility is the amount you can stretch a muscle. Your level of flexibility can also affect your joints’ mobility. This means how you move and your ease of movement depends on your flexibility and mobility.
Pilates can help improve your mobility and flexibility because it focuses on keeping muscles moving with smooth transitions between slow, controlled movements.
Pilates can help treat and rehabilitate those experiencing various conditions, often those struggling with their muscle and or skeletal function. This includes lower back pain, urinary incontinence, multiple sclerosis, issues with pulmonary function such as cystic fibrosis, and general musculoskeletal pain.
Pilates exercises have also been proven to help women’s general health and discomforts felt during pregnancy. Other benefits include helping patients breathe easier, strengthening muscles, correcting posture, and improving spine mobility, coordination, and motor control skills (such as walking or bending over).
There have been studies into the connection between doing Pilates and an improvement in mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which have shown positive results. Although more research is needed to confirm this connection, regular exercise in general is a good way to boost your mood, especially if you have mild-to-moderate depression.
Before you go in for your appointment, our staff may request you fill out a questionnaire with your information. Please make sure you arrive a few minutes early and bring your reading glasses, if you need them.
During your initial appointment, your physiotherapist will talk with you to get a better understanding of your condition and individual needs. They will need this information so they can create a tailored treatment plan best suited to you.
They may ask about your:
They may also ask about:
During your appointment, your physiotherapist will also perform a physical examination and assess your strength, flexibility, function, ability to walk, and reflexes. They may use something called palpation techniques, which is where they apply varying amounts of pressure with their hands to assess the injured or affected area. As you will be examined, it is recommended you wear loose, comfortable clothes and shoes.
If your physiotherapist thinks you are suitable for clinical Pilates, they will collaborate with you to create an individualised treatment plan tailored to your needs.
To book a consultation to discuss clinical Pilates with a physiotherapist near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.
The timeline of your Pilates routine will be tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. Your consultant will discuss with you how long you will need to partake in the exercises to ensure your condition improves.
Generally, Pilates programs range between six and 12 weeks.
Yoga and Pilates are completely different forms of exercise.
Yoga helps develop your strength, flexibility, and balance whilst also bringing awareness to the connections between your mind, body, and breath during your poses. It promotes settling down your mind and teaches those who practice how to be still.
Pilates focuses less on the mental and more on the physical. It revolves around building your core strength and improving endurance during exercise.
Clinical Pilates and regular Pilates use the same exercise techniques. The difference is that clinical Pilates uses more of a tailored approach to your condition and needs, with the focus being treatment for a specific condition or rehabilitation after an injury or surgery.
Fitness Pilates is great for building your general strength, flexibility, and fitness. However, it is not tailored to your specific body movements and is typically done in a larger class, meaning your instructor won’t be able to solely focus on you and your exercise ability during the classes. This can put you at risk of further injury and pain if you move, twist, or stretch in the wrong way.
At Circle Reading Hospital, clinical Pilates is delivered by experienced physiotherapists who understand how to adapt exercises for medical and rehabilitation needs. Unlike standard classes, you will receive one-to-one guidance and programmes specifically tailored to your body and goals.
Having your Pilates sessions at our private hospital means you have access to a full range of physiotherapy and rehabilitation services under one roof. If you need additional treatments (such as manual therapy, hydrotherapy, or pain management) your physiotherapist can integrate these into your plan.
We also provide modern, comfortable facilities and flexible appointment times, making it easy to fit sessions around your lifestyle.
Reception: 0118 922 6888
Mon-Sun: 8am-10pm
Free car parking for patients and visitors
Consultations 16yrs+ Procedures 18yrs+
