Ever felt like your Pilates workout, while effective, was missing that extra oomph? You’re not alone. Pilates delivers amazing full-body benefits but often lacks the intense cardio burn some crave. Now, there’s a solution: STRONG Pilates Philippines at The Proscenium, Rockwell. This innovative workout bridges the gap between low-impact Pilates and high-intensity cardio, leaving you drenched in sweat and potentially burning up to 800 calories per session. If you’re ready to take your fitness journey to the next level, this could be the perfect addition to your routine. We even tried a STRONG Pilates workout to see what the hype is all about. Spoiler alert: It lives up to its rep.

Strong Pilates is now in the Philippines

STRONG Pilates launched in Australia in 2019, capitalizing on the rising popularity of Pilates while adding a unique twist: the sweat-inducing, heart-pumping element of circuit training. If you’ve tried traditional Pilates and felt something was missing, STRONG Pilates is your answer. It’s the perfect solution for those who crave the benefits of Pilates but also want a workout that leaves them feeling truly challenged and energized.

In the Philippines, Kenneth Toh and Adrienne Loa discovered STRONG Pilates through a podcast. “I was immediately intrigued by what the brand brings to the fitness industry. As I get older, I appreciate the benefits of low-impact training more, especially as I engage in various exercises like running, spinning, and functional training. I’ve tried Pilates before and enjoyed it, but I always felt that I needed a second workout,” shared Toh.

The pair flew to Australia to try their first STRONG Pilates class and immediately found what they were looking for.

“It combines Pilates-inspired flows with cardio and strength training, offering a high-intensity sweat session. This unique approach is something new to the Philippines, and I’m excited to introduce STRONG Pilates to you all,” continued Toh.

Loa recognizes that Filipinos who are into fitness like keeping their options open. They enjoy multiple memberships at different studios that give them different workouts. But with STRONG, everything is in one place. She shares, “The Filipino market is what I call a ‘cosmopolitan’ market—they enjoy multiple memberships at different studios and don’t stick to just one. STRONG challenges this by offering Pilates, strength training, and cardio all in one 45-minute class. STRONG is perfect for the ‘cosmopolitan’ fitness enthusiast.”

STRONG Pilates officially opened its doors at The Proscenium at Rockwell last July. So what does a STRONG Pilates class look like?

Meet the Rowformer and the Bikeformer

What sets STRONG apart from other fitness studios is its one-of-a-kind machines, the Rowformer and the Bikeformer. Fun fact: The Rowformer is so unique that STRONG Pilates owns exclusive rights across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Asia.

First impressions? These machines are absolute game-changers! Seriously, spend some quality time with them, and you’ll see noticeable improvements in your muscle tone, flexibility, and overall endurance.

The names say it all – Rowformers combine the best of rowing and reformer Pilates, while Bikeformers integrate a BikeErg for a killer cardio-strength combo. Just a heads-up, you need to be at least 5’1″ to use the Bikeformer at STRONG Philippines properly.

And the awesomeness doesn’t stop there. These machines are packed with thoughtful features like padded seats, resistance bands for arm workouts, customizable spring tensions for varying levels of challenge, and a moving carriage that cleverly conceals dumbbells and other equipment. A lot of thought went into designing these machines for a truly effective and comfortable workout experience.

What’s a class like?

STRONG offers a variety of classes tailored to different fitness goals. I jumped into the Strong Body class, a full-body experience blending low-impact Pilates movements with high-intensity cardio bursts on the rower. The Rowformer initially seemed a bit daunting, but our specialized trainer’s clear explanations quickly put the whole class at ease.

The 45-minute session had us alternating between Pilates and rowing segments. Lunges, burpees, and challenging arm exercises gave my muscles a good burn. Even though I’m sure I didn’t nail all the exercises, Strong Body was an excellent way to gauge my current fitness level. With the lightest spring tension setting on the carriage, I got to work hard to engage my core and execute the movements correctly.

Strong Body also included an intense 10-minute Rowflo. This involved 250 meters of rowing (or 500 meters on the Bikeformer), followed by five challenging Carriage Burpees and ten squats with alternating dumbbell hang cleans. If you’re unfamiliar with the movements, don’t worry! The screens above the wall mirrors act as helpful guides, demonstrating the proper form.

The entire routine was definitely no walk in the park, especially for a fitness newbie like me. However, I truly appreciated that our specialized trainer didn’t pressure us to go faster. She allowed us to move at our own pace, focusing on ensuring we maintained proper form. When the 10 minutes were finally up, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment – it was one of the most satisfying workouts I’ve ever experienced.

The session ended with a STRONG signature treat — cold eucalyptus-soaked towels to help cool our bodies down.

Five class types for all fitness levels

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a total beginner or a fitness junkie looking to try new workouts. STRONG welcomes anyone who wants to try out something new. They offer five main class types for all Pilates enthusiasts and HIIT fans.

• Beginner Class – Focuses on learning the ropes on a Rowformer and Bikeformer and perfecting form
• Strong Body – Complete full-body burn with low-impact movements paired with high-intensity cardio bursts
• Strong Loaded – Focuses on heavy springs, heavy dumbbells, and more growth and gains.
• Strong Sweat – High-intensity, high sweat, and high volume for a huge calorie burn, plus increased endurance
• Pilates only – Pilates flows and dynamic movements for mobility, balance, and strength

Strong Pilates membership

STRONG Pilates offers different packages depending on your needs. The STRONG Pilates App provides three kinds of STRONG Human Memberships:

• Unlimited sessions for P3,645 weekly with a 3-month commitment
• Unlimited sessions for P3,245 weekly with a 6-month commitment
• Unlimited sessions for P3,745 weekly with no commitment

Still testing the waters? There’s also a 2-session Membership for P2,245 weekly. Drop-In packages are also available in 5-, 10-, and 20-session packages for those not ready to commit just yet.

But for the most sulit deal for newbies, STRONG 10-Day Experience is the best purchase. This one-time introductory package offers ten days of unlimited sessions for P2,245 and is now available on the STRONG Pilates app.

STRONG also has a mini merch corner at the Front of the House, where you can find must-have items like tumblers, grip socks, and workout wear.

The studio offers a variety of class times, from 6:00 AM onwards, to accommodate different schedules. Download the STRONG Pilates App on iOS and Android. For more information, visit the STRONG Pilates Philippines website and follow @strong_philippines on Instagram to stay updated.

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