Still Intimidated by Gyms?
This Might Be the Perfect Workout for You
As someone in her late 20s who spends long hours sitting at a desk for work and indulging in Netflix binges on weekends, I knew I needed to find a way to incorporate physical activity into my routine. However, here’s my longstanding frustration: I can’t seem to find an exercise that I can stick to and actually enjoy.
I’ve already tried some high-intensity workouts and activities before (due to peer pressure), but I always found myself losing motivation and struggling to be consistent. The thought of going to the gym always intimidated me, especially with its array of seemingly complicated equipment. I also felt like I didn’t quite fit in with seasoned gym-goers.
Despite this, I knew I needed something different—something that would not only challenge me physically but also help me feel comfortable and confident in my own skin. That’s when I came across Onelife Studio, a Pilates studio that has been such a game changer for me.
Being new to Pilates, Onelife Studio offered me their New-to-Onelife Starter Pack, which includes a complete Health, Fitness, and Posture assessment session, (3) Personal Training sessions, and (1) Physio-Led stretch session. The idea of a personalized program and one-on-one sessions with a physiotherapist sounded really appealing to me, as I hoped it would help me overcome my gym intimidation and provide a more tailored approach to my fitness journey.
My first session started with the Health, Fitness, and Posture Assessment, where the coach assigned to me measured my body composition, assessed my posture, and analyzed my movement patterns. I really appreciated how she took the time to understand my current condition, which made me feel more comfortable and confident since my personal training program will be adjusted to my needs accordingly. The thoroughness of the assessment did not only help me understand my body better, but it also helped me set realistic goals for myself.
With my personalized program in hand, I began my training sessions. I was initially nervous, but my coach made me feel comfortable and explained each activity we’re about to do in detail. We kicked off our first session by doing stretches on the ladder barrel, which may look uncomplicated but is particularly useful for improving flexibility, balance, and posture.
After stretching, we immediately moved to the reformer—a bed-like frame with a flat platform (called carriage) that rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to a set of springs and pulleys that provide resistance, which I was told will be adjusted from time to time depending on my progress level. My coach told me that the rest of my exercises would revolve around the reformer since it is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly equipment in the studio.
As I went further with my sessions, I realized that Pilates was unlike any other workout I had tried before. The focus on core strength, flexibility, and controlled mobility seemed exactly what my body needed. Although I was not producing that much sweat as compared to when I was doing high-intensity workouts, I could definitely feel my muscles working in ways I hadn’t felt before. I was pleasantly surprised how I felt challenged by the exercises but not extremely overwhelmed.
After completing the 3 personal training sessions included in their starter pack, I finally had the Physio-Led stretch session, which Onelife claims as the best possible stretch, ever. I couldn’t agree more, though, as the combination of manual and percussive therapy definitely helped release tension and soreness in my muscles. I felt refreshed and energized after the stretch session, and it was such a perfect way to cap off my initial Pilates experience.
Overall, I was happy with my first three sessions at Onelife Studio that I immediately signed up for ten more. The personalized approach and attention from their licensed physiotherapists really made me feel supported and motivated to keep going. I found myself looking forward to each session, knowing that I was taking a step towards improving my health and fitness in a sustainable and enjoyable way.
So if you’re someone like me who has always been intimidated by traditional gyms and is still looking for a gentle yet effective strength and flexibility exercise, I highly recommend giving Pilates a try.
Onelife Studio is located in Estancia Mall (3F), Ortigas, Pasig City. Other branches are located in San Juan and Makati. For more information, you may visit their website here (link: https://www.theonelifestudio.com)
