An active lifestyle is key to good health, both physically and mentally. Many of us feel that to be super fit and strong, we need to flog our bodies on the treadmill or at the gym. We have all been a culprit of over-training and not being kind to our bodies.
Since taking a more balanced approach to staying fit and toned, I discovered a gem of a workout in Sydney at Physicore. This is not your average pilates!
I sat down with Catharine Rose, founder of Physicore who pioneered the Megaformer workout in Australia. She launched the first Physicore studio in Paddington in 2012; two additional studio locations in Mosman and Surry Hills followed in 2014. A fitness professional at heart, Cat brings her passion for people and fitness to Physicore, and to each and every Megaformer class she teaches.
How was Physicore born?
I’m originally from London but have called Sydney home since 2010. In London, I worked long hours in a corporate job and was a fitness junkie in my spare time. In 2007 I discovered the Lagree Method (aka Pilates on steroids) which was a life changer.
When I moved to Sydney, despite the myriad of fitness options available, I craved my Lagree workouts which had been an integral part of my fitness regime. A voice in my head had been telling me that fitness was going to be much more than a pastime, plus life in Sydney without Lagree was definitely not an option – 18 months later my dreams became reality and Physicore was born!
How is Physicore different to other pilates studios?
Physicore is best known for its unique Megaformer workouts: 50 minutes of the Lagree method on this incredible machine. The Megaformer is a significant redesign of the Pilates reformer. Pilates is generally considered a low intensity workout that is practised for injury rehabilitation or in combination with other exercise disciplines. Physicore’s Megaformer workouts are a sweaty, intense, total body burning combination of cardio, strength, endurance, core and flexibility to take care of all your fitness needs, with none of the impact you’d find from traditional high intensity activities such as running and jumping.
What can I expect in one of your Megaformer classes?
You can expect the unexpected in one of Physicore’s Megaformer classes so an open mind and positive heart are essential! The Megaformer utilises variable spring resistance and allows for hundreds of exercises on all planes of movement. We push, pull, twist, lunge, squat, plank and pulse to work all the muscles in the body, especially your core stabilisers. Expect to get sweaty, shaky and to be challenged, both physically and mentally, but to feel amazingly accomplished and sore for a few days afterwards!
What are the key benefits of the Megaformer workout?
I firmly believe a workout is only as good as its results and the Megaformer delivers on all fronts in a relatively short timeframe. Three Megaformer sessions per week alongside a balanced diet and sufficient rest will torch fat, build lean muscle without bulk, increase muscular and cardiovascular endurance and improve core strength. Unlike other fitness methods, Physicore’s Megaformer classes emphasise slow, controlled movement. This makes for an extremely intense and effective workout, without compromising on safety; there’s no stress on the spine, joints or connective tissue. We keep our group sessions small, maximum of 10 clients at a time. This allows our instructors to correct form and technique and tease everyone out of their comfort zone to optimise results.
How does Physicore compare to all of those HIIT?
The slow controlled tempo at which we perform movements on the Megaformer is a huge point of difference. Each repetition lasts anywhere from 8 to 15 seconds which maximises the time your muscles are under tension for effective muscle stimulation. Fast repetitions are definitely not necessary to achieve intensity! The other big point of difference is the transition time between exercises. A regular HIIT session will include defined rest periods. During a Megaformer session there is zero downtime – you are moving seamlessly from one movement to the next. This keeps the heart rate elevated and the muscles under tension for the duration of the session. Hello shakes!
What’s your favourite Physicore move?
Tough one to call! Each Megaformer move is unique and special in its own way. I’m definitely partial to a super slow pike at the back of the Megaformer, utilising the counter spring resistance. Pikes are challenging but so effective. Brilliant for elevating the heart rate, engaging multiple muscle groups: shoulders, triceps, lats, core stabilisers. And as an added bonus, the hamstrings get a stretch.
What’s your top tip for keeping fit throughout the winter?
Quality over quantity – not just in training but in your nutrition and approach to life! Applying this philosophy to fitness, train three to four times a week and go hard, push to your limit, rather than train half heartedly every day. I often remind my clients that, in order to get results, you don’t need more time, you need more intensity!
Physicore have studios in Mosman, Paddington and Surry Hills.
