Our look at what classes are hot this week

In a series of new fitness features Ayrshire Life takes a look at what classes are worth trying out.

Feel free to send in suggestions of classes you enjoy and email lorraine. howard@ trinitymirror. co. uk with your recommendations to be featured.

This week we take a look at the discipline of Pilates.

In 1945 Joseph Pilates published his book Return to Life through Contrology and his exercises have been in use ever since,

Yet for many people, Pilates is still uncharted territory, a fitness mystery that is sometimes dismissed as too slow.

If you are going to try Pilates. you could do worse than go straight to the top and take a Classical Pilates class.

Classical is considered by many to be the top of the range Pilates class.

The moves come directly from the actual creator of the system, Joseph Pilates, and the exercises are delivered the way they were meant to be delivered.

So strict is the teaching process, that if a movement is modified or introduced by the teacher, the teacher states that this is not a Classical Pilates move.

The benefits of Pilates are incredible, with the exercises concentrating on strengthening the core stability muscles, flattening the abdomen and building strength and stamina.

However, going deeper than that, the exercises improve posture, lengthen muscles and correct muscular- skeletal imbalances.

People who attend sessions will confirm that when done properly, Pilates is the ultimate strength and stamina workout.

When choosing a class, it can be important to make sure that the teacher is indeed an appropriately qualified instructor.

Classical Pilates teachers will usually limit their class to a certain number, to allow them time to correct postures and positions as the class goes on.

If you attend a class with 30 people, chances are you might be overlooked if you are doing something wrong, and in Pilates that can really make a difference.

There may be many different styles of teaching, but you can be sure that the principles are all from the original format.

I have found recently that there is definitely a trend in Classical Pilates as more people are researching the benefits.

Surprisingly, many hard core exercisers that have cut their teeth on high intensity sessions, are now sourcing classes to redress the balance in their fitness schedules.

As well as keep fit enthusiasts, professional sportsmen and women incorporate Classical Pilates into their sport specific training.