Therapy
Where: Iso Fit, 16/F, California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar Street, Central, and 12/F, Soundwell Plaza, 10 Russell Street, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2899-2090. Iso Fit's popularity has taken even its owners by surprise, but the good news for those desperate for a stint on the medieval-looking machines is that the company is moving to a new location in Central, and opening a second branch in Causeway Bay.
Why: In the past few years, Pilates has vaulted from the fringes of the exercise world to become a celebrity-endorsed must-do, breathlessly hyped in countless magazine spreads. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, it is a low-impact method of exercise that initially found favour in the dance world because of its emphasis on suppleness and posture. A typical Pilates routine combines light resistance training on purpose-built, spring-fitted benches with stretching and a focus on strong breathing - a process not dissimilar to some forms of yoga. Iso Fit also offers the 'gyrotonic expansion system', a wooden contraption that incorporates movement principles from disciplines as diverse as swimming, dance, gymnastics and tai chi.
Who: Iso Fit was established by Dawna Wayburne, a ballet dancer and Royal Academy of Dancing teacher. She first learned Pilates as a dance student in London. Pilates initially requires a relatively high degree of supervision as clients become accustomed to using the equipment. Wayburne can be found personally putting her charges through their paces, or bantering with her assistant instructors, most of whom she hired from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Despite the cramped confines of the Iso Fit studio, a mood of easy-going camaraderie prevails. Wayburne's clients range from fad-conscious tai-tais to members of the Hong Kong swimming team. She says Pilates is easily adjusted to suit people from across the fitness spectrum.
What: Don't let fashion magazines deceive you: Pilates may have been billed as a 'sweatless' exercise, but it's more demanding than it looks. The abdominal muscles, which Wayburne says provide the foundation for a good posture, get a particularly tough workout. Exercises which require less strength and more coordination can be equally challenging, not least because they require adopting ungainly open-leg positions while lying in a room full of people. The after-effects are pleasant and immediately noticeable: people who complain of stiffness in various parts of their body often find the discomfort alleviated after a single session. Regular workouts help eliminate the postural and muscular imbalances which created the tension. Although Pilates requires more effort than a massage, the results are often superior.
The bottom line: An initial consultation costs $525. Beginners pay $4,000 for 10 sessions, but prices become progressively cheaper: for example, the second purchase of 10 sessions costs $3,800. Private tuition with Wayburne is $800 a session, comparable with personal gym training sessions.
The verdict: Whether it becomes a regular thing or an occasional treat, there's probably a place for Pilates in your exercise routine - if your bank account can handle it.