With Winter’s frosty mornings evaporating upon the dawn of warmer spring days and the lure of summer within sight, the anticipation of bather-clad days at the beach or figure-hugging summer fashion can propel many of us to sign up for “quick win” weight loss or fitness schemes.
All too often, these gung-ho efforts are locked to ‘finish line’ style goals such as losing a certain amount of weight or fitting into an item of clothing. But, once you’ve crossed the line, the drive to keep going decelerates as we shift gear from full-throttle to maintenance mode. It’s at this stage old habits tend to creep back in and before we know it, we’re back where we started. Sound familiar?
Having witnessed this yo-yo dynamic over so many years, Sandy Rau from Rauform Pilates & Fitness is setting a new standard for those who step into her Pilates studio in Walkerville.
She’s not only transforming bodies, but also minds, using her sessions to develop a genuine and sustainable appreciation of the physical and mental health benefits of consistent attendance, effort, nutrition, accountability, community, and nurturing self-worth. It’s in the mixing of these ingredients that we formulate that magical elixir called “motivation”.
With an emphasis on inclusion and community, Sandy and her team of highly skilled Pilates instructors embrace a “come as you are” approach. What matters to them is how you feel, move and interact, not how you look or what you’re wearing.
Their goal is to get you moving, both now and well into your future. To ensure everyone’s attention is on activity, not aesthetics, the only mirrors you’ll find in the studio are in the gym areas, which require visual guidance to ensure safe technique.
Rauform Pilates also holds regular six-week challenges for her customers who want to lock in some focussed time to embed improved well-being, skills, and habits. While she uses the term ‘challenge,’ Sandy also considers these to be intensive motivational masterclasses designed to train the body and the mind.
With bookings for Rauform’s October Challenge (starting mid-October) opening soon, Sandy’s keen to emphasise that the end goal isn’t about a number on a scale. It’s about achieving such an elevated sense of self, both physically and mentally, that the “win” is your desire to keep going.
So, what exactly is it about Pilates that’s made it such a popular “go to” fitness regime? According to Sandy, the attraction of Pilates lay within “… the endless benefits it offers. Reformer Pilates can be used for general agility and fitness, as well as a rehabilitation tool for anyone with injuries. It’s safe on your joints and corrects imbalances. It’s also a great complementary exercise for athletes and anyone who does high-intensity cardio or strength training by helping to strengthen stabilizing muscles. It can be done in a group or solo”.
“Pilates is also open to a huge span of ages, with my clients’ ages ranging from 16 to 83 years old! It’s a low impact activity, meaning it’s kind on our joints, allowing everyone to enjoy it, while harnessing our longevity on the way.”
True to her word, Sandy offers no-obligation, complementary introduction classes to encourage the curious to step into her studio and give it a red-hot go.
The Rauform Pilates studio incorporates a range of exercises for a full body experience. This multi-discipline approach is a key component of the Rauform Pilates six-week challenges, which gradually ramp up in frequency and intensity as the challenges progress.
Sandy detailed the Rauform challenges further, saying “Because my challenges are about building mental muscle and physical muscle, we keep the classes stimulating by switching around their exercises, from Reformer Pilates through to boxing, cardio, strength and outdoor training. The variation of exercise type and intensity gives the body a bit of a shock and jolt the brain into adopting new, healthier habits. We also have a reward system that recognises regular class attendance, that we gradually amp up to five times a week.”
With approximately 50 people joining each challenge, the sense of accountability develops in ways that can’t be measured as team members start to forge bonds during the challenge’s team exercises.
As Sandy observed, “I think people underestimate the power of having someone else in your corner, other than a trainer or coach, and they lose motivation when they’re relying, solely on themselves. If you’ve organised to have a gym-session with a friend, you’re less inclined to find an excuse not to go”.
If you’re not signing up with a friend, you’ll be sure to have made at least one after a few sessions with Rauform Pilates, be it in a regular class or as part of a challenge.
Feeling inspired to explore the world of Rauform Pilates & Fitness? Grab hold of the moment and contact them now for a free, no obligation, Introductory class or sign up for one of their regular classes. Alternatively, keep an eye on their website and socials to sign up for their October challenge before it books out.
All you need to know about Rauform Pilates & Fitness
What: Rauform Pilates & Fitness
Where: 40 North East Rd, Walkerville (above Café Yolk & Class A Jewellers)
Website: www.rauform.com.au
Phone: 0413 280 203
Email: [email protected]
Socials: Facebook | Instagram
Open:
Mon-Wed: 5.30am-7.30pm
Thurs: 6.30am-7.30pm
Fri: 5.30am-7.00pm
Sat: 6.30am-1.30pm
Sun: 7.30am-1.30pm
Special trading hours for public holidays – please refer to timetable
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