Latest news with #AimeeVictoriaLong
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pilates instructors reveal their safety fears over 'flimsy' Aldi reformer bed
Some of the UK's top personal trainers have revealed why they have safety fears over Aldi 's reformer Pilates beds. The budget supermarket caused a frenzy by putting the piece of gym equipment - which usually costs upwards of £2,000 - on sale for less than £150 - at stores across the UK this weekend. Queues of fitness enthusiasts queued up to get their hands on a bed- with fights even breaking out in the middle aisle of some stores. Since, hundreds of people have taken to TikTok to share their thoughts on the budget bed - with people praising it's price but saying it's smaller and less durable than more expensive models. However, some of the UK's leading Pilates instructors have shared their fears over the bed, urging people to make sure they have proper instruction before using it. Aimee Victoria Long, one of London 's top personal trainers, said that the bed has it's pros - including the low price point. 'It's significantly less expensive than premium reformers, making it accessible for beginners or those on a budget,' she told Femail. 'However, the bed is lower quality and perhaps not as durable as high-end reformers. 'Users have reported that the machine can feel 'slightly wobbly' during vigorous movements, and the resistance bands may lack the smoothness of traditional springs, she added. 'Also I assume the strength of these bands doesn't match that of springs'. Aimee, who teaches Pilates, barre, strength & conditioning, and functional training to various celebrity clients also said that the bed is a struggle for taller user. 'The reformer's size may not comfortably accommodate users taller than 5'9', potentially limiting the range of exercises - however, the machine folds for easy storage and includes transport wheels, ideal for home use in limited space. 'The bed's features are also adjustable and claim to cater for anyone up to 6ft 3in.' A huge difference with the bed and a typical Pilates bed is that it uses rubber bands rather than springs. 'The use of rubber resistance bands instead of metal springs may affect the machine's longevity and resistance consistency over time,' she added. Aimee also added that it's 'beginner friendly' so great for people starting their Pilates journey - however, this can mean people aren't doing the exercises correctly. Sophie Hatton, a Classical Pilates expert and founder of Pilates Works & Reformer Retreats added there may be safety concerns over the new model. 'Pilates is undeniably having a moment - but not all reformers are created equal. 'There's a vast difference between Reformer-inspired fitness and true classical Pilates, as Joseph Pilates intended,' she told Femail. 'At professional Pilates studios, reformer equipment is engineered for precision - solid, heavy and designed to support the integrity of the practice. 'The new Aldi model may be budget-friendly, but its lightweight frame and elastic bands in place of spring resistance raise immediate concerns around safety, effectiveness, and durability. 'Without proper resistance, stability or instruction from a fully trained teacher you're not doing Pilates - you're just pulling on bands.' 'To become a Classical teacher takes over 100 hours of in-studio education and more than 650 hours of self-practice, observation and rigorous testing. 'This is a profession rooted in depth, not a passing fitness trend. 'Authentic Pilates strengthens where you're weak, improves alignment and restores balance - it's a transformative method, not just a workout. 'Whether joining a studio or working online, choose your equipment and teacher wisely. It makes all the difference.' Cara Farrell, a reformer Pilates instructor based in Leeds, added that 'It's great to see reformer Pilates becoming more accessible '. 'Aldi's price point makes it possible for people to practice at home who might not afford regular studio classes'. 'It's also a handy option for newly qualified instructors wanting to refine their teaching. 'That said, reformer Pilates is a technical practice. 'Instructors go through extensive training to learn anatomy, safety, and how to correct form, these are things that are hard to self-teach at home. 'Without that knowledge, using a reformer can be risky. 'The Aldi reformer bed looks neat, but the carriage movement and spring system seem a little flimsy, not as smooth or sturdy as professional models. 'I'd also be concerned about the stability of the legs during use. 'If you're thinking about buying one, make sure you've had proper reformer experience first, ideally with a trained instructor. 'Do your research, watch tutorials, and always double-check the setup for safety. It's a great option if you know what you're doing, but not something to jump into without experience. Rebecca Dadoun, Pilates instructor & founder of Pilates Prescription echoed the safety concerns of other instructors. 'As much as I want Pilates to be accessible to everyone for recovery, strength, and mental clarity I do have real safety concerns when it comes to budget Reformers like the Aldi one,' she said. 'Tick points are that an at home reformer makes reformer Pilates more accessible, it's compact and home friendly and may encourage more movement but these machines aren't built to the same standards as studio Reformers (as per the reviews), and without professional supervision, the risk of injury is higher especially for beginners or anyone already managing pain or postnatal recovery. 'I've had many clients come to me already injured from large group 'Reformer' classes, so the idea of people using even less stable equipment at home, with no guidance, is worrying. 'This isn't about gatekeeping movement it's about moving safely. 'Even the springs on these machines are essentially resistance bands they're not the same as a studio spring. 'If one of those flings off mid exercise, I'd be seriously concerned about the outcome. 'Movement should support your body, not put it at risk. 'And sometimes, the simplest starting point like mat Pilates with props is actually the smartest and safest.' Reformer Pilates has seen a substantial boom in the recent years with many enjoying the strengthening and body sculpting benefits of the low impact form of exercise that uses spring-loaded equipment for resistance. CORE LDN , a London-based studio fusing physio with Pilates methods, saw their class visits almost double in 2024 and there's no sign of this slowing. In recent month there has been a +600 per cent increase in Google searches for Reformer Class Passes. Core LDN founder, physiotherapist and pilates expert Claire Mills predicts: I don't see an appetite for Reformer waning as clients are drawn to its sustainable approach to fitness, and this trend will likely grow as more people prioritise joint-friendly, mindfulness-oriented workouts. 'Ensuring that sessions are led by knowledgeable instructors and tailored to individual needs will remain essential in retaining client loyalty.' Claire's advice for beginners? 'I'd recommend reformer beginners start with a 1:1 or a beginners specific class to learn the above foundations and how to implement these on the reformer which is adds in spring resistance and movement. 'In my opinion, you can end up cheating on the reformer if you have not learnt the fundamentals and your global muscle system can become dominant of the postural muscle system that we're aiming to target with Pilates.' German nurse Joseph Pilates developed Contrology - which eventually became Pilates - in 1946 during the First World War as a method to continue his strength training while a prisoner of War in the Isle of Man. Fast forward almost 80 years and the exercise is no longer one motivated by necessity - but rather it's a high-end, luxurious workout frequented by A-listers who pay premium prices at dedicated Reformer Pilates studios. The exercise, loved by Meghan Markle and Jennifer Aniston, costs around £35 for a 45-minute class and is surging in popularity in the UK. As most studios recommend training at least three times a week to see any real benefit, people can quickly see themselves spending hundreds a month on the habit. How to ensure Reformer Pilates is safe, according to Claire Mills, founder of Core LDN Ensure the credentials of studios and instructors. The instructors should be tailoring the exercises to the class ability and explaining each exercise, including flagging anything that could feel unsteady. Bodyweight has an impact on spring selection for some exercises, so a 6ft guy is likely to not be on the same a spring as a 5ft lady because their abilities are likely to be different, and so the instructor should give spring options accordingly. Check the foot bar is correctly in when using. Due to the nature of the way the springs work and the carriage moves you can take muscles towards the end of their range, and this needs to be done slowly with control. As a physiotherapist I would always explain this to clients to ensure they work within a safe range for them. It's worth noting that if you are then asked to add extra resistance I.e. weights this should always be optional as overloading muscles will cause strains & injuries. Upkeep of the studio and maintenance of the reformers is crucial, they should be checked and serviced regularly particularly the springs to ensure they are safe to use. The class size should not be too big (so the instructor can see all clients), with good lighting and potentially mirrors to help with position.
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The new rules of gym etiquette: don't film yourself, never mansplain – and keep your top on
If hell is other people, then its ninth circle must be Other People At The Gym. Where else can one experience the full gamut of human depravity – from farting on the treadmill to taking conference calls on the cross trainer? And that's before we get to 'gymtimidation.' A recent survey found that one in four people feel self-conscious at the gym, while 28% worry about using the equipment incorrectly (and, God forbid, suffering the ultimate indignity of starring in a viral 'gym fail' video). But how to ensure you are the hero of your own fitness journey, and not the person other gym-goers have nicknamed 'grunt'? We consulted the experts. Gymfluencers filming content (and getting annoyed when someone walks into their shot) is a relatively new, and often unwelcome, phenomenon. 'I really hate this,' says Nick Finney, a personal trainer who has worked with Robbie Williams and Jennifer Lopez. 'There are legit reasons to film yourself – for instance, if you want to check your form or send a video to an online trainer to show them how you're doing something. But setting up a tripod in a busy gym, so you can record fitness content for TikTok, risks upsetting people who are already nervous about being there, and won't want to be on camera.' And if you have your heart set on becoming the next Joe Wicks? 'Set up in a quiet area of the gym where there aren't loads of people in shot. If someone close by is likely to be filmed, then it's polite to ask them before pressing record.' As for taking umbrage if someone inadvertently ruins your shot, according to Josh Davies, a co-founder of OMNI Wellness and head trainer at Aimee Victoria Long: 'If you do choose to film in the gym, that is your prerogative, but it's not other people's responsibility to stay out of your shot. If someone needs to get to some equipment and you're in the way, that's your problem, not theirs.' 'Unless someone is in immediate, life-threatening danger – not just at risk of a potential injury in the future – then my answer is no,' says Shona Vertue, a yoga teacher and personal trainer, whose clients include David Beckham. 'For many people, training at the gym can make them feel incredibly vulnerable, and the last thing they need is someone pointing out what they might be doing wrong.' Davies cautions that women can be particularly wary of 'gym bros', and warns against mansplaining. 'Offering advice to someone of your own gender is less likely to cause offence,' he says. According to Finney: 'Even as a personal trainer, I find this tricky – people are sensitive, so unsolicited advice often doesn't go down well. I mostly leave people who aren't my clients to it, and step in at the point that someone is putting themselves at risk of injury. If someone is doing a dodgy deadlift, I'll gently suggest an adjustment to spare them from a slipped disk. However, if you disagree with someone's tricep form, keep it to yourself – once you start correcting everyone, you'll be there all day. If you are going to suggest something, acknowledge that they haven't asked for your advice, and back off as soon as you feel your opinion isn't welcome.' 'That's absolutely fine,' says Davies. 'Just try to ask someone who could safely handle the weight if you're struggling. There's no point asking someone who weighs 50kg to spot you while you try to lift 80kg.' 'No,' says Davies. 'There's one guy in my gym who walks around talking really loudly about his business deals, and it's super-annoying. People are there to work hard, improve themselves and forget about whatever else is going on in their lives – they don't want to have to listen to your conversations.' As Finney explains: 'The danger with chatting away on the phone is that you become unaware of your surroundings, and someone gets hurt.' But, he adds: 'It's fine to send a quick WhatsApp or change your music during a rest period.' 'Every studio or gym is different and has differing rules around lateness,' says Vertue. 'If it's in the middle of a yoga meditation then it's not ideal. If it's a fitness session, it may not disrupt people, but could be dangerous if you've missed out on the exercise demonstrations or warm up.' According to Finney, 'If you don't have time to do a full class, then you don't have time. It's never OK to turn up very late or leave early.' Vertue agrees that 'leaving early is where it gets more disrespectful. If you've set aside the time to take part in a class, stay for the whole session, unless of course you aren't feeling well. In which case, let the instructor know before you leave.' 'Racks and benches basically function as storage units for free weights, and by using one you don't automatically own all the weights on it,' says Finney. However, adds Davies: 'You should always ask before taking a plate from someone else's machine, in case they were planning to use it. Just don't ask them mid-exercise. If someone is halfway through a squat and they have to turn their neck to speak, that can take their spine out of alignment and cause a whole host of issues. Always wait until someone has finished a set before interrupting.' 'Sometimes people need to spend time on a machine,' says Finney. 'For instance, I have a dodgy knee and it takes me a while to get warmed up on a leg press. Some people do German volume training, which requires 10 sets of 10 reps. That might take 20 minutes or half an hour. The main aggravation comes when people take long rest periods, so are monopolising a piece of equipment without even being active on it. If someone is eager to get on a machine, don't sit on it looking at your phone or take six minutes of rest between sets.' According to Vertue: 'People lifting very heavy weights often need extended breaks to allow their nervous system to recover before the next set. This is particularly common with heavy compound exercises such as bench presses, squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts and sometimes leg presses.' Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion As for super sets – alternating between two sets of equipment with no rest in between? 'Read the room,' advises Finney. 'They're fine if the gym is quiet, but don't hog two machines if the gym is busy. It's fine to suggest sharing equipment so that someone else can use it during your rest period and vice versa.' 'I'd err on the side of no,' suggests Davies. 'There's nothing wrong with chatting and having friendships in the gym, but most people are there to work and it's not appropriate to flirt.' Vertue is more sanguine: 'Not everyone will agree with me, but many people prefer meeting potential partners in person rather than on dating apps, and the gym can be a fantastic setting for this. Especially because they attract people who prioritise their health – a quality I personally value in a partner.' Still, she recommends a gradual approach. 'Maybe suggest a quick post-workout shake date to gauge compatibility. It can be less daunting than meeting a stranger from an app.' Finney agrees: 'I certainly wouldn't go in cold and tell someone you fancy them in the middle of a workout.' And if you do face unwanted attention? 'If anyone makes you uncomfortable, report it to the staff immediately,' says Vertue. 'Front and centre,' says Vertue. 'Although sometimes daunting, it is a great place to be because you can see the teacher and you aren't distracted by others. 'But anywhere is fine, provided you can see and access the instructor if need be.' Finney adds: 'I have clients who don't like to see themselves exercising, so choose to avoid the mirror. Stand wherever you're most comfortable.' 'There are two considerations here,' says Finney. 'A lot of people find training topless inappropriate and won't want to see your naked body. It also risks getting sweat on the equipment. That's in a public gym. At places like Hyrox and CrossFit, being topless is more part of the culture, because it's a closed group and people are mostly standing and using barbells rather than sitting on equipment.' If in doubt, 'keep your 'pump checks' confined to the changing room,' says Vertue. Training shoeless is less controversial. According to Davies: 'You might not want to wear the same shoes running on a treadmill as squatting (running trainers are cushioned to help with the impact of running, whereas you need a flat sole to lift, to ensure even weight distribution). If you don't want to pack two pairs of trainers, lifting shoeless is fine.' However, shoeless doesn't mean barefoot. 'As a trainer, I might need to see what's happening with someone's arches or toes,' says Finney. 'But I draw the line at taking your socks off.' 'Making a noise can help people lift heavier weights, by supporting intra-abdominal pressure,' says Vertue, 'but we're talking about very, very heavy lifts. Ask yourself: Are you grunting because it genuinely helps, or is it to draw attention from others? If it's the latter, it's likely to have the opposite impact of what you're aiming for.' Finney agrees: 'You should be able to make some noise, especially during exercises requiring valsalva manoeuvre [a forced exhalation which helps power heavy lifts], but how much is contextual – a CrossFit gym is very different from a boutique hotel gym, where people won't appreciate you screaming.' When it comes to dropping weights at the end of the set, Davies says, it depends on the type of gym and the equipment. 'Places like CrossFit, or gyms that do Olympic lifting, have specialist floors and rubber plates that are designed to be dropped – because if you're doing a one-rep max deadlift then you don't want to have to think about putting the weight back down. In a commercial gym, dropping weights risks damaging the barbell, or the floor, as well as being a distracting noise to those around you.' On this, the trainers are unequivocal. 'Always, no exceptions,' says Finney. 'Even if you aren't sweaty,' adds Davies. 'It's nicer for the next person.'
Times
25-04-2025
- Health
- Times
Can't be bothered to cook from fresh? Try a posh meal delivery
What's the ultimate luxury when you're time poor? Fast food. Not the unhealthy kind. Signing up to one of these premium meals on wheels is like having your own virtual private chef who uses the best quality ingredients to cook three meals a day — plus snacks — that are tailored to your health goals, whether that's high protein or low carb. They are then packed up and sent straight to your door daily or weekly, so all you need to do is heat them up and grab a fork. Omni Wellness was founded by London's hottest power trio, personal trainer Josh Davies, celebrity Pilates personal trainer Aimee Victoria Long and nutritionist Lucy Raetz-O'Connell. Their premium meal delivery service is for people who want nourishing meals that will support their fitness aims. Starting from £30 a day for two meals and a snack, customers can request bespoke meals (tailored to your own goals, from weight loss to muscle building) which are delivered fresh. And we're not talking about carrot sticks or yoghurt pots. Think hearty salads packed with protein, vegetables and yes, plenty of carbs, as well as chunky protein balls that keep you full and stop you snacking. Field Doctor's nourishing frozen meals are for people who have specific dietary requirements but don't want to miss out on healthy food that actually tastes good — several of the dishes I tried such as the smoky chipotle meatballs, have won Great Taste Awards. With recipes planned by dieticians and experts in health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome to the menopause, there are options for everyone — for those following a gluten-free diet, for example, or who want IBS-friendly food. Start your order by providing details of health problems, goals or allergies, and choose from the dozens of meals, which are cooked in Field Doctor's Somerset kitchen and delivered on a day of your choice between Tuesday and Saturday. Created by nutritionists, packed with fibre and with each weekly plan containing over 100 plant varieties, Kurami is for wellness warriors. There are three meal plans — or 'meal paths' — to choose from: Nourish (1,400 calories a day), Signature (1,600 calories) and Signature Plus (2,000 calories) though you can also personalise your own meal plan. I went for Nourish, which was delivered fresh each morning. My box contained a mix of light snacks like a beetroot dip and crudites and heartier meals like the tempeh and cous cous bowl. I loved the grilled chicken salad too, although there were some things like the 'golden chai moon mylk' that were a bit too Goop-y for my taste. If you're after cosy comfort food but rarely have the time to actually do any cooking, then FieldGoods's range of award-winning luxury ready meals are good to have in the fridge. I've tried their beef lasagne, aubergine parmigiana, fish pies and ragus which come in portions for one (from £7.50) or two (from £12) and arrive next day delivery via DPD. The team at FieldGoods work with some of Britain's top suppliers to source good quality produce including grass-fed, native breed cattle from small farms in Yorkshire, free-range chicken and pork from the renowned Swaledale butchers (also Yorkshire) and carefully sourced, less ubiquitous species of fish from the North Sea and North Atlantic. Foodhak (the second part stands for healthy Asian kitchen) was founded by the entrepreneur Sakshi Mittal. From Keralan curry to spicy chickpea stew, all of the delicious curry dishes (which start at £7.99 for one portion and arrive in microwavable pouches) are packed with the superfoods that Mittal grew up eating. These help to support immune and gut health, as well as being dairy free, gluten free and vegan. Her healthy chocolate chip cookies are not only irresistible but packed with ashwagandha, a plant that is said to have various health benefits.
