Welcome to the March edition of Pilates Central News.

In this edition:

• Loving Pilates
• All the gear
• Heavenly Ora
• Howe it’s done

Loving Pilates

“A bit of love for Pilates, for me it’s the gateway to a pain-free body, so I can do all the other sports I love.” So says Match of the Day’s Gabby Logan on Instagram. The TV presenter clearly knows a bit about fitness. She is a former youth gymnast for Wales, is married to ex-Scotland rugby international Kenny Logan and her dad is Terry Yorath, the former Leeds United and Wales footballer. 

The accompanying video sees Logan working out on a Reformer to the sounds of Olivia Newton John’s John’s Physical.  Gabby’s friend BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth jokes in the comment section, “that splits one is making me wince!”

Logan, who also does mat Pilates, tells her followers, “Over the last five years I have increased my sessions and learnt so much about my body. Emily Rogers has been a great teacher. Tiny movements using the lesser worked muscles.”

Gabby continues: “I still do running weights and cycling but this is the key to it all. This looks simple but the whole move comes from the stomach. Try it you won’t regret.” So that’s another win for Pilates.

All the gear

“From resistance bands to squat-proof leggings: the Pilates kit you need and what you can do without,” promises a feature in the Guardian. Thankfully the experts interviewed do agree that you don’t necessarily have to have all the top gear: “Your usual gym gear will do – leggings, joggers, shorts, T-shirts or vests, and for women, a supportive sports bra. It’s important to avoid anything too baggy that could get caught in any apparatus – or too tight for comfort.”

But undeterred by this proviso, the feature goes on to list slightly more equipment than required for a trip to the orbiting International Space Station. There are squat-proof leggings, not-too-baggy joggers, supportive shorts for men, compression shorts, tops that stay put, grippy socks, unfussy sports bras, pregnancy-friendly gear, a proper Pilates mat, a spiky ball, resistance bands, a Pilates ball, and leg and ankle weights. What the feature says you shouldn’t bother with are an expensive at-home Reformer, asymmetric activewear such as one-shoulder bra tops and socks with straps as they work their way off.

Phew. All quite useful, but with so much gear to consider it’s a wonder anyone has time to actually attend a class. You don’t have to spend a well-toned arm and leg on stuff. Please come to Pilates Central wearing whatever you feel comfortable in.

Heavenly Ora

Are Pilates ankle weights now a fashion accessory? Singer Rita Ora was pictured leaving a Sydney gym while still wearing hers. “Rita Ora shows off her incredible figure in skimpy activewear and goes make-up free after Pilates in Sydney,” is the excited headline in the Daily Mail.

Ora, who says she always travels with ankle weights, was promoting her new Typebea haircare brand designed to reverse damage from excess use of heat and styling. She has described suffering hair loss after her many changes of hair colour over the years. Rita is well-known Down Under for the three years as a judge on The Voice Australia.

Perhaps with one eye on the paparazzi, Rita, according to the Mail, “donned a part of tiny fitted gym shorts and a racer back drop top, as well as hanging a scarf around her neck. She kept things local by wearing Aussie brand CSB (Crop Shop Boutique), and threw on a pair of Crocs clogs for her workout. Rita upped the ante for her fitness regime by wearing Puccu ankle weights and staying hydrated with a Dr Hydrate sachet and carrying a lilac Frank Green water bottle.” Clearly Pilates is a weighty business when you’re a celebrity.

Howe it’s done

Congratulations to Newcastle United on ending a 70-year domestic trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley by beating Liverpool 2-1. The club’s only other honour since winning the FA Cup in 1955 was the European Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. Manager Eddie Howe was tactically spot-on at Wembley and is also, of course, an advocate of Pilates. Eddie comes in to work at six am and likes to start the day with his own fitness work.

In the Premier League’s 2024 video Life Advice with Eddie Howe he is asked about how to relax. He answers: “Finding a passion, something you really enjoy doing. At the moment I’m into Pilates and there were previous times when I’ve been into yoga, meditation. Finding something that works for them [coaches] that can just switch them off from their worries or daily routine that takes them to another place I think is really healthy.”

Perhaps Newcastle’s famous shirtless fans in the Toon Army will also take it up. If you want to end seventy years of hurt, try Pilates.

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The Pilates Central Team