Get the Most Out of Your Workout at STRONG Pilates

“So, are you into HIIT workouts or are you more of a Pilates or yoga kind of person?”

While not exactly a pick-up line, this is a common icebreaker for fitness enthusiasts crossing paths for the first time. Some of us lead balanced lives, disciplined enough to distribute cardio, strength, and mobility workouts throughout the week. The rest of us? Well, we tend to go ham on exercises routines that are in our wheelhouse. I, unfortunately, belong to the latter group, putting all my energy into the multiple HIIT, indoor cycling, and boxing classes I book in a week, simply because I enjoy them more. And I’m sure there are many of you who subscribe to the same school of thought, even though we really should be cross-training for our own good.

STRONG Pilates Philippines aims to break that monotony, creating a new lane in boutique fitness through a revolutionary Pilates-inspired, cardio-infused workout that is set to pique the interests of both HIIT addicts and slow burn enthusiasts. The Rowformer and the Bikeformer—they are exactly what their portmanteaus suggest—machines allow seamless transition from cardio to strength sets, challenging different muscle groups and skillsets within the standard 45-minute timeframe. These low-impact, high-intensity workouts are led by a qualified, highly capable STRONG instructor, ensuring proper form and safety as the students executes each move. Every class ends with a cool down and the coveted studio signature: cold eucalyptus-soaked towels to help you settle into that post-workout bliss.

STRONG Pilates has been around since 2019, successfully expanding to over 65 operating studios across Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Canada, Indonesia, and now, the Philippines. Bringing STRONG Pilates to the country was an idea hatched by owner operators Kenneth Toh and Adrienne Loa. “I discovered STRONG Pilates through a podcast,” shares Toh. “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.”

(“Everybody say ‘felt’!” - all us HIIT aficionados, probably) 

The duo flew to Australia to try STONG in person and immediately knew it was the kind of workout they needed to introduce to the Philippine fitness scene. Loa believes that STRONG Pilates reflects Filipinos’ current approach toward fitness and wellness, saying, “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 offers five main class types that are designed to appeal to all fitness levels: STRONG BODY, a full-body burn with low-impact movements, paired perfectly with high intensity cardio bursts; STRONG LOADED, which focuses on heavy springs, heavy dumbbells, and more growth and gains; STRONG SWEAT, an endurance type class dedicated to high-intensity, high sweat, and high volume for a huge calorie burn; PILATES ONLY, which allows for Pilates flows and dynamic movements for mobility, balance, and strength; and BEGINNER CLASSES, where the focus is on introducing students to Rowformer or Bikeformer basics, with emphases on perfecting your form. Whether you have a Pilates background or are new to the workout entirely, STRONG is the place to be for anyone looking to try something new or to those looking complement or elevate their current routine.

My first session was a STRONG BODY class. For those of us so used to doing HIIT workouts, Pilates is the most humbling practice. Even though I work out on the regular, it was still a challenge for me because doing push-ups and burpees on the Rowformer carriage is a whole different ball game from what I’m used to. I could do the 250m row work with ease, but I would be shaking like a leaf whenever we had to do the plank holds on the carriage. Still, it’s easy to see the appeal of STRONG; it’s great value for money in terms of time spent and effort exerted because you get the best of both worlds in one workout. 

Interested to join? There are three kinds of STRONG Human Memberships available through the STRONG Pilates App: Unlimited sessions for P3,645 weekly with a three-month commitment; unlimited sessions for P3,245 weekly with a six-month commitment; and unlimited sessions for P3,745 weekly with no commitment. They also offer a two-session membership for P2,445 weekly. Drop-in passes, five-session, 10-session, and 20-session packages are also available. First-timers are entitled to the STRONG 10-Day Experience, a one-time introductory package offering 10 days of unlimited sessions for P2,245.

Download the STRONG Pilates App via the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android. For more information, visit www.strongpilates.ph and follow @strong_philippines on Instagram.