Panhandle residents wanting to try Pilates will find that they have local options galore. Given the latest trend in “fusion” classes, people of any age can now find a style that suits both their fitness needs and their personalities. 

But with its 100-year history, Pilates is no passing phase. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Pilates isn't just for fitness fanatics. It's actually an accessible way to build strength in your core muscles for better posture, balance and flexibility. A Pilates routine generally includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control and endurance, including exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns and balanced flexibility and strength.” 

Here are some options worth exploring:

Pilates Core Training in Pensacola boasts not only multilevel fusion mat, gyrokenisis and added equipment classes, but also a 450-hour comprehensive Pilates training course covering the fundamentals of movement, the complete mat equipment repertoire, and modification movements for osteoporosis, knee and hip replacements and other special needs. For more information, call 850-287-5836 or visit PilatesCoreTraining.com.

Studio Blue Pilates in Destin offers mat classes with the use of props such as therabands, rings, small balls, weights and foam rollers to incorporate fun into the routine, as well as reformer classes utilizing Pilates equipment based on springs. The spring tension acts as resistance that can be varied to make an exercise more or less intense. The studio currently also offers Gyrotonic exercise. For more information, call 850-279-1689 or visit StudioBluePilates.com.

Pilates and More in Panama City is a full-service Pilates studio offering private sessions on Pilates equipment, group reformer classes, equipment circuit classes, group Wunda Chair classes and a full and diversified group fitness schedule that includes Pilates mat, restorative yoga, Burn at the Barre, Pilates for kids, and more. For more information, call 850-624-6673 or visit PilatesAndMorePC.com.