New Class!!!!

Hey everyone!

You requested it...we listened! We now have a class on Sundays!

Sunday 4pm with Eric!

Sign up today and enjoy!!!

30 Day Challenge is back!!!

30 DAY CHALLENGE
Begins February 1

WHAT YOU’LL GET:
*3 Reformer sessions per week
*2 hours of cardio per week
*Personalized fitness calendar
*Nutritional guidelines
*Before and after body assessment
*A longer, leaner and stronger body!!

PRICE:
$300 members’ $400 non-members

Sign up today by emailing us at info@purepilatesboston.com OR sign up at the
Front desk by January 28th!

PURE Pilates Holiday Schedule

Friday December 24th - NO CLASSES

Saturday December 25th - NO CLASSES

Friday December 31st:

730am - Pilates with Patricia!

9am - Pilates Fusion with Melissa - celebrate the New Year with a mix of Mat, Reformer and Jumpboard!!

Saturday January 1st - NO CLASSES - HAPPY NEW YEAR!



Wishing you and your family a very Happy Holiday and a Healthy New Year!!

From all of us at PURE Pilates

Budget Shopping for your health!!

We all know that groceries can cost us a fortune. Who knew eating healthy could cost so much! Unfortunately the high cost in "good for you foods" has caused our nation to go for the not so healthy options such as processed foods and fast food. Here are some great tips to get rid of the drive up window and get back to your healthy eating habits for less!!

Meal Planning Tips
Not planning meals and not creating a shopping list are two mistakes that cost shoppers more in the long run. Planning is essential to eating well, especially when dollars don’t go as far as they once did. A healthy diet is affordable with a little planning, smart shopping and basic cooking skills.

•Check your fridge and cupboards to see what you already have on hand that you can use.
•Plan meals around the best weekly store specials. Stock up on sale items if space allows.
•Use coupons only for items you already buy.
•Get inspired by exploring one of the many online recipe finders, or check out a cookbook from the library.
•Add more meatless meals. Meat is the most expensive part of a meal.
•Use leftovers, to save time and money.
•Keep a running shopping list and jot down items when you run out. To make shopping easier, organize the list around your grocery store layout.
•Keep all your weekly meal plans. In no time, you’ll have a monthly menu cycle and a “go-to” list of quick meals.

Shop Smart
Use these tips to “work the store” to your advantage:

•Stick with an organized list.
•Eat first. Hungry shoppers overbuy and usually purchase prepared (less healthy) foods.
•Shop alone if possible. A partner and/or children tagging along can quickly stray from the list and increase the food bill. However, shopping with kids is a nice way to teach them smart shopping habits, so if they come along, set expectations before leaving the house.
•Get a grocery store loyalty card.
•Shop the perimeter to fill up on fruits and vegetables, protein and dairy.
•Look for bargains near the ends of aisles and on the upper and lower shelves. Cheaper, generic store brands are typically found on lower and upper shelves and have the same nutritional profile as name brands.
•Compare unit prices of different product sizes and brands. Unit prices are found on the shelf tags below the food items.
•Buy in bulk.
•Make your own single-serving snack packs from larger bags of food.

Preparing Food at Home
After shopping, dedicate a little time to organizing food at home.

•Divide large packages of raw meat into smaller meal portions.
•When you have time, brown meat and chicken, package them and freeze them for use in meals later.
•Clean and cut up vegetables for meals and snacks that will be eaten within a few days. Wait to wash others just before eating.
•Cook in batches, and freeze extras.
•Keep a frozen-food inventory so that unknown meals don’t get buried in the freezer.
•Toss food into a slow cooker in the morning so that dinner is ready when you get home.
•Use the plate method: fill half the plate with fruits and veggies, one-quarter with protein and one-quarter with whole grain.


*Information taken from Idea Fit, http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/eating-well-on-a-budget-0?utm_source=Fit+Tips+December&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=M1. Article by Jennie McCary, MS, RD, LD

What's the difference between Mat and Reformer??

You asked we listened!

I’ve been asked a lot as to what the difference is between Mat and Reformer and which one is better. It’s a great question that I think deserves some attention!

If you’re addicted to Pilates, like me, you already know how great it makes you look and feel. It increases flexibility, improves strength and posture and increases core strength and confidence! What more could you ask for? There are many forms of Pilates that one can do to get the results they want, but what is the difference?

With MAT work, one uses their own body weight to provide resistance and assistance for Pilates exercises. Gravity and body weight are the challenges during this type of Pilates work. Mat work is great for beginners due to the fact that one uses their own body weight and learn how to control their body and muscles in order to execute the exercises properly and safely.

On the REFORMER, one is given an extended range of resistance and assistance through weighted springs. Through this system, support and assistance is given in using the proper muscles for specific exercises This, if practiced regularly, will create visible results sooner than in a mat class.

Both Mat and Reformer done together can be quite stimulating to the body and create fabulous results no matter what ones goals are. When done together one will notice a difference in strength and flexibility and exercises may seem a bit less daunting and painful due to the fact that the correct muscles are being used and nothing is being strained. This in turn will create everlasting results that can be used in any aspect of one’s life.

PURE Pilates and Commonwealth Sports Club work together to provide the best Pilates Mat and Reformer classes that Boston has to offer. Try them both and see what it can do for your body. I did – and I’m hooked!!!

Jump into the Holiday Season with Pilates Jumpboard!

Jump into the Holiday Season with Pilates Jumpboard!!


A true TOTAL BODY workout: Pilates Reformer WITH Cardio! Tone your entire body while burning an average of 350 calories per hour! Plus - you get the benefit of a killer leg and butt workout - what more could you want!

Try a class today! Classes start November 1st!!


Mondays at 630pm with Eric
Thursdays at 6pm with Tara
Saturdays at 930am with Melissa

*PLEASE NOTE*

Prior Pilates Reformer experience is necessary to participate in any Jumpboard class. Those with the following injuries should not participate in Jumpboard: Back, Ankle, Hip, Knee.

Buddy Week 10/25-10/29

Bring a friend to your Reformer class for free !

Bring a friend to a class during the week of October 25-30th. Members and non-members are welcome! If your friend purchases a package of the day he/she attends their class you get a free class! In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, wear PINK to your classes the 25th-30th !

Additional Information:
Get your "Buddy Pass" from your instructor during classes this week. Email info@purepilatesboston.com with your friends full name and what class you'd like to bring them to so that we can reserve their spot! Make sure you bring your pass with you on the day of the class you are bringing your friend to.

We look forward to working with you and your friend!

Deep Breathing for Energy

September is coming fast which means changing leaves, cooler temperatures and the sun setting earlier and earlier in the day. Let’s face it, the dog days of summer are over. Sometimes it’s tough to stay focused and motivated with the sun setting at 4pm! We end up getting tired as soon as the sun starts to set because our bodies are naturally in tune with the sun; when it rises it’s time to get up, when it sets its time to settle down for the day. So how do we fight these mid day doldrums when the sun sets before its time to go home? Do you have 10 minutes?

Deep breathing helps re-energize your body giving you that boost you need to get through the rest of your day. It’s better than coffee or whatever energy drink suits your fancy because its natural and you’re not filling your body with caffeinated toxins for that extra boost that always ends in a crash. Not convinced? Try it for yourself and see!

Deep Breathing 101

Get comfortable. If you’re in your office and you have a door, shut it. If you are in a cube put your headphones on for a couple minutes and tune out. Find some place where you won’t be interrupted and find a comfortable position that you can stay still in for 10 minutes.

Close your eyes. Using imagery helps ease your mind and stop the million things that are circling around within it. This is your time to relax. Find a place or a thing that relaxes you and go there. Use all your senses to be there, smell it, feel it, touch it, hear it and breathe.

Start your Breathing. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Allow your breathe to be long and relaxed. Don’t force all your air in or out. Let it come naturally. Let this breathe take you to your place of relaxation for 10 minutes.

As a busy bee myself, I find that these 10 minutes of deep breathing help me stay alert, focused and calm throughout my day. Try it yourself and see how it works for you!

Melissa Dupuis
PURE Pilates Coordinator & Trainer

Staying Fit during Vacation

Last minute vacations before the summer ends? Stay fit while you travel!

Well its August, almost time to send the kids back to school, or go back to school yourself. Maybe you’re thinking of taking one last vacation before its back to reality and fall begins. Sounds like a plan – however don’t let your vacation plans spoil your hard work at the gym. Make a plan for yourself on how you’re going to fit in your workout routine on your vacation to avoid any setbacks. Here’s how!

Step #1 Plan ahead
Going on vacation is a time to re-energize and refresh your body and your mind, however it’s not a break from being healthy so don’t give up the good stuff like exercising! Wherever you end up choosing to go, make sure you are able to fit in some exercise in this vacation spot. And exercise isn’t just on the treadmill – try running on the beach or some Pilates or yoga!

Step #2 – Prepare yourself for your travels with healthy snacks
Traveling is always fun – but when we get hungry where’s the first place we go – to the snack bar! These places don’t always offer the most nutritious options. When traveling, whether by plane, train or car pack some healthy snacks for you and your traveling buddies so you can stay healthy and energized for your plans ahead! A cooler packed with fruits, veggies and nuts and heart healthy sandwiches like whole wheat turkey are a great choice! Not to mention saving a little bit of money!

Step # 3 – Dining out no-no’s
We all like to splurge and go out to eat when we’re on vacation – but that doesn’t mean you have to eat everything in sight. Try to opt for the lighter foods and stay away from the fried, creamy foods. If you indulge, indulge in moderation; one scoop of ice cream instead of the whole tub, or a lighter tropical drink instead of 5. You’ll not only feel better but you won’t feel as guilty and may I also mention that you’ll still look great in that bikini!

Step #4 – Don’t forget your workout clothes!
When packing it’s easy to say, “Oops I forgot my workout clothes guess I can’t exercise!” Think again! Pack your running shoes and your gym gear and you’re more likely to get that sweat session on your vacation to keep up your hard work and not miss a beat.
Try these on your next road trip and you’ll look fabulous before and after your trip! Happy travels!

Information taken from www.fitsugar.com “5 Ways to Stay Fit While on Vacation”

5 Reasons to Strengthen Your Core

Strengthening your core (the muscles from your hips to your shoulders) is like giving yourself a full-body makeover: You'll feel smarter, younger, and better all over. Mark Verstegen, author of Core Performance (Rodale 2004), makes the case for a hard core workout.

1. It Reduces And Prevents Pain
"A strong core stabilizes you and works like a natural brace for your joints."

2. It Makes You Look Taller and Thinner
"When you strengthen your upper back and shoulders, the muscles are pulled back and down, removing any trace of a hunch."

3. It Delays the Aging Process
"A strong core keeps your body aligned, so that you can function properly."

4. It Improves Mental Function
"Having a stable and aligned spine allows your brain to receive your body's messages more efficiently."

5. It Improves Performance
"Stabilizing your core hones your fine motor skills, so you can react quickly and stay balanced on unstable surfaces."

References: Women’s Health.

*Melissa’s note: Pilates not only strengthens your core but it also gives you total body awareness, a longer, leaner and stronger body with less pain and more power!

Pilates Trainer: MELISSA DUPUIS

Melissa Dupuis has been in the fitness field all her life growing up as a dancer in the Boston area. She graduated from Mercyhurst College in 2006 with a BA in dance and is currently receiving her Masters degree in Holistic Wellness through Clayton College of Natural Health. With her career as a professional ballet dancer she was introduced to Pilates in her early training and fell in love with it. She began her training in Pilates through Balanced Body under the tutelage of Zayna Gold. She is currently certified in Mat I and II, Anatomy and Reformer I, II and III. Additional certifications include NASM certified personal trainer and Level I Yoga instructor through Yogafit.

Melissa enjoys teaching with passion and energy in which you will see in all of her classes. Her participants should feel that her classes are very open-minded in which she allows permission for each individual to listen to their body and its needs for the particular class.