Iso Fit

The common thought of Pilates is that it’s for middle-​aged women with rich husbands and not much to do. Definitely not for a rugby playing man in his mid-​twenties. Ok, late Twenties. The common thought is totally and utterly wrong.
Isofit, conveniently located in Central on Wyndham street, is the leading Pilates exercise studio in Hong Kong. Stepping through their entrance is like stepping through a portal. Where the old realm is hot, humid, and dirty the new one is cool, refreshing, and clean. A small snack corner (only healthy foods) sit on a counter to the left, an area I hover above while waiting for my appointment. Hon, the charismatic receptionist/​money collector let’s me know that the instructor is ready for me.
The first time I was persuaded to take a session I thought, yea sure, I’d rather work on real muscles, like my guns and bench press, but fine I’ll do it. My instructor was a petite, peaceful looking woman named Mingni (if she’s still around then ask for her!) and her immediate response at seeing me and my horrid posture was a shake of the head and «You should do more then bench press when you’re at the gym.» I wanted to show her my biceps but I knew it wouldn’t make a difference.
An hour later, after being forced to lift weights that questioned my manliness, I had aches and pains in muscles I never knew existed. Mingni rambled off a list of exercises to do at home, I nodded thinking, not happening, the gym is way easier!
A week later I was back, I paid for a ten-​session package after all. A month after that people began to notice the improvement in my posture, I was able to touch my toes and my lower back didn’t trouble me after training. My core was stronger and my lumbar flexibility increased. Considering I didn’t know what the word lumbar meant I’d say the improvement was significant. I pop back in every once in a while to rebalance my body after an injury and make sure to ask for homework. And what do you know? I’ve just read an article about professional rugby teams forcing their players to take Pilates twice a week. The world is changing!