The rise of the chair is changing Pilates, and this conversation shows why it matters. If you are a studio owner, Pilates teacher, or simply curious about where the industry is headed after the reformer boom, this episode gives you a fresh look at equipment, community, and what it means to stay true to your practice.

Kristina introduces a wide-ranging interview with Rohanna, who brings a grounded perspective from running a studio through the social media-driven shift in Pilates aesthetics. They explore why the chair is getting renewed attention, how equipment-based training can return to Joseph Pilates' original system, and why individualizing movement matters more than following a one-size-fits-all class plan.

Dawn adds the bigger-picture lens, connecting the conversation to the roots of Pilates and the way the method was originally built around choosing the right apparatus for the person in front of you. Together, the discussion contrasts today’s reformer-heavy trends with a more thoughtful, equipment-led approach that puts the client first.

You’ll hear about:

• Why the split pedal chair is making a comeback
• How equipment studios differ from reformer-only spaces
• What it looks like to build a business that stays aligned with your values
• Why social media trends can pull studios off course
• How experienced teachers adapt movement to the individual, not the class template

This episode is especially relevant if you are thinking about opening a studio, expanding your training, or re-evaluating how you teach. It’s a timely reminder that the most forward-thinking approach in Pilates may also be the most traditional.

Visit Rohanna's studio: https://www.kineticore.co.uk/

Is Pilates resistance training?

The latest American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidance has reignited the conversation around what counts as resistance training, highlighting that effective resistance training doesn't necessarily require traditional gym equipment. In this episode of Pilates 101, Dawn and Kristina are joined by top athlete and coach James Thie to explore where Pilates fits within the wider conversation around strength and resistance training.

James finished fourth at the World Indoor Championships, represented Wales at two Commonwealth Games and went on to become a multiple World Masters champion. As a coach, he has taken athletes to GB international level and was named British Milers Club Coach of the Year. He also found himself holding the shoes worn to break the two-hour marathon world record at the London Marathon this year.

Together, they explore what Pilates can offer athletes, why movement quality matters, and how Pilates can complement traditional resistance training. The conversation covers progressive overload, strength and conditioning, athletic performance, longevity and the importance of finding sustainable ways to build and maintain strength.

You'll discover:

• How Pilates can provide meaningful resistance training and complement other forms of strength training
• What the latest ACSM guidance tells us about effective resistance training
• Why movement quality matters for athletes and active people
• How progressive overload can be applied within Pilates and broader training programmes
• The role of strength and conditioning in supporting performance, longevity and injury prevention
• Where Pilates fits within a well-rounded approach to fitness and athletic training

Whether you're a Pilates teacher, fitness professional, athlete or simply interested in staying strong and active as you age, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the evolving relationship between Pilates, resistance training and performance.

Read the full ACSM guidance: ACSM 2026 Resistance Training Guideline

This special episode of Pilates 101 Podcast comes from our brand new Founder's Coffee Morning (FCM) exclusively for our APPI Member's. The FCM is a chance for our members to speak directly to our founder's Elisa Withers & Glenn Withers.

Some of the topics discussed in the first FCM were:

• What extra steps you can take to make your clients feel welcome
• Purchasing the right reformer
• Should you record your own classes
• Balancing life & work

In this episode of the Pilates 101 Podcast, Glenn introduces our new co-host, Kristina Holding. Kristina shares her inspiring career journey and her exciting role as International Relations Manager. In part two, we chat with our APPI India partner, Moushumi Kuvawala, diving into the world of Pilates in India and how her journey began.

Episode 8 - Wellness, breathwork, kids mental health and interview with Unite Health Founder Sarah Todd

Welcome to the February edition of Pilates 101.

In this month’s podcast we review the APPI’s wellness day program, explore the importance of breath work, take a little practical session on breathing, focus on children’s mental health week and have a great interview with Sarah Todd, one of the industry’s most successful businesswomen.

Sarah started out in corporate health in Australia, then moved to the UK and joined us at APPI as head of education. Sarah progressed to help us set up the product business from scratch, and then moved back to Australia to take over the Australian License of APPI Education. In doing so she started her own business, Unite Health, and has grown this into one of the industry’s most formidable business in the Southern Hemisphere.

An absolutely inspirational person, a bottle of positivity and energy and a great example to everyone about how hard work, determination and self-belief can lead you on a path to great success.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with Sarah and think you will all gain so much from her story.

Episode 5 - Pilates 101 - Industry Leader Interviews & COVID Update

This month’s Pilates 101 Podcast brought to you by APPI Health Group, will bring you the latest advice regarding the latest Covid Announcement in the UK (Nov 2020)

We also have a special treat for you with our extract of the Opening Address from our 2016 APPI Pilates conference which consisted of a Graham Norton style panellist interview with who we think are the 3 leaders in the Pilates Industry, Alan Herdman the Grandfather of Pilates who brought Pilates to the UK, Michael King who is a true legend and was the first Pilates instructor and teacher for our Founders Glenn and Elisa Withers and Suzanne Scott the Queen of Pilates who is influential within the Elite Sport world with special interest in Rotational Control.

In this interview we ask the 3 leaders about their background, their first experiences with Pilates and we ask them various questions from our delegates regarding the development of Pilates from Joe through the elders and how it ended up here the UK.

This special edition episode is a pelvic health takeover with Emily Elgar (Pelvic Health Master Trainer) speaking to researcher and specialist pelvic health physio Grainne Donnelly. Grainne has gain huge respect in the pelvic health community with her work in diastasis, postnatal return to exercise and ultrasound. Emily and Grainne talk through how her work has evolved into the influential presence in pelvic health, the lessons we can all learn from her research and practice plus insights on how she works that we can all learn from. Whether you're a pelvic health physio, an instructor or exploring your own pelvic health journey this episode will give you a new dimension to your perspective from literature, the clinic and real life.

If you want to connect or learn with Grainne you can head to

https://absolute.physio/

This month on the Pilates 101 Podcast, Glenn and Kristina are joined by a very special guest – Michael Ramsey, co-founder of the game-changing fitness brand STRONG Pilates.

They dive into Michael’s background, the inspiration behind STRONG Pilates, and how he helped grow it into a global movement. Discover what makes their unique blend of Pilates and cardio so successful, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and what truly sets STRONG Pilates apart in the evolving fitness landscape.

Follow and connect with STRONG Pilates: Instagram – @strong | @ramslegit LinkedIn – STRONG Pilates | Michael Ramsey

Follow and connect with APPI:

Instagram - @appihealthgroup

Web - https://appihealthgroup.com/

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Do you have a captivating story or ground breaking research within the Pilates world to share? Reach out to us at jawaad.fareed@appihealthgroup.com.