True, lasting strength - and confidence in your movement - begins from the inside out, with stabilising muscles that support every Pilates exercise and every strength move. By reawakening these muscles, you create a foundation that allows you to safely progress in whatever movement practice suits you.

While Pilates and strength training overlap in some ways, each has a unique role in supporting your body. Understanding how they work together rather than in competition is the key to moving, feeling, and performing your best at any age.

Whether you’re returning to exercise or trying something new, knowing what each practice offers - and why combining them delivers the best results - can transform how you move and how you feel.

We’ve all heard them. The clichés of ageing. They’re said with a wink, but they land with a sting. Because as much as they sound like jokes, many of these clichés are grounded in real changes that happen in the body as we age.

The truth? These transitions are common, but they’re not inevitable. Decay is not destiny. With the right training, you can protect, reset, and even reverse some of these so-called clichés. And strength training is one of the most powerful tools we have.

Have you ever watched a child play? They squat deeply to pick up toys, run without hesitation, climb onto chairs, and crouch into positions we as adults often find uncomfortable. Children move naturally - with freedom, curiosity, and strength.

But somewhere along the way, most of us lose that connection. Hours of sitting, years of avoiding certain movements, and the natural decline of muscle after 40 mean that squatting, bending, or even reaching overhead can feel harder than it should.

The good news? You can reclaim those natural movements - and strength training is the key.

When most people think about muscles, they picture toned arms, defined abs, or athletes on magazine covers. For years, the fitness industry has encouraged us to see muscles as purely aesthetic - something to “show off” rather than something to live with.

But here’s the truth: muscles aren’t about vanity. They’re about utility. They’re the foundation of how we move, how we age, and how we stay independent. And if you’re over 40, understanding the value of muscle - beyond appearances - is one of the most important health shifts you can make.

If you’re in your 50s and feeling like your body has changed overnight, you’re not alone.

Many women describe this stage as ‘shifting sands’. Weight seems harder to manage, sleep changes, and joints that once felt fine now ache after simple tasks.

You’ve planned your workout, your weights are ready… and you’d rather do anything else.
It’s not laziness. It’s being human.

Motivation isn’t constant. It ebbs and flows with sleep, stress, hormones, and life itself.
The trick isn’t forcing yourself to be motivated, it’s knowing how to keep going when you’re not.

I often hear from men and women in their 40s, 50s and older who tell me: “I know I should be doing more strength training, but it feels a bit intimidating.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

If you’ve been feeling like it’s harder to stay strong, pain-free and energised than it used to be, you're not imagining it - and you're definitely not alone.

One of the most inspiring parts of this community is seeing the dedication, progress, and joy that each of you brings to your practice. That’s why, each month, I’ll be shining a light on someone whose journey deserves to be celebrated. It’s a way to acknowledge your efforts, share real stories, and remind us all that we’re in this together—supporting, moving, and growing as a community.

Boost your body awareness and movement by discovering your sixth sense - Proprioception

Have you ever wondered why practise makes perfect? Or how athletes, dancers, and musicians (for example) achieve mastery in their craft? The answer lies in the power of repetition.

Four pillars of health: sleep, exercise, nutrition, mental wellbeing

Five top tips to build a robust body especially as you age.