Book Your £85 Assessment →

- PILATES ADVICE & GUIDES · LONDON COLNEY, ST ALBANS -

Reading that helps you
make informed decisions
about Pilates.

The articles and resources on this page cover back pain, rehabilitation, Pilates types, studio selection and the latest industry coverage from major publications. Whether you're researching a condition, comparing approaches, or trying to understand what to look for in a studio — this is a good place to start.

Enquire About Assessment →

Back Pain & Conditions  →

Evidence-informed reading

STOTT Pilates® certified practice

Founded 2001 · St Albans

25 years experience

WHY THIS PAGE EXISTS

Most people research before they book.
This makes that research easier.

The Pilates industry is crowded and poorly regulated. Large group studios, inconsistent instructor training, and a lot of generic content online make it difficult to understand what actually works — and what to look for when choosing where to go. These articles and resources aim to provide a clearer picture.

★ What the evidence says about back pain and exercise
★ Why large group classes carry specific risks
★ How to distinguish between Pilates approaches
★ What major publications are reporting on the industry


-GUIDES & ARTICLES -

Rehabilitation guides & condition information

Evidence-informed articles covering back pain, Pilates types, studio selection and more — drawing on 25 years of clinical practice in St Albans.

-BACK PAIN · EVIDENCE-BASED -

Back Pain (LBP) — What the evidence actually says

 

Low back pain remains one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy, yet the evidence on what actually works is frequently misunderstood or misrepresented in clinical practice. This guide covers what the research actually shows — and what it means for how back pain should be managed, including why exercise-based approaches consistently outperform passive treatment over the long term.

Read article →→

-CONSUMER ADVICE · STUDIOS -

Caution about large group Pilates classes

 

The Reformer Pilates craze is stretching the industry to breaking point. The Sunday Times has reported on it — this article explains what the rapid growth of large group studios means for safety, instructor quality, and whether a busy class is an appropriate choice if you have a specific condition or injury history.

Read article →→

-MEN'S PILATES -

Applied Pilates for Men in St Albans

 

"If you'd asked me ten years ago whether I'd ever do Pilates…" A direct, honest perspective on why Applied Pilates has become one of the most effective tools available for male athletes, desk workers, and anyone managing a recurring injury — and why the perception that Pilates is for women has never had a clinical basis.

Read article →→

-PILATES TYPES · GUIDANCE -

Which type of Pilates is right for me?

 

Classical, STOTT, Contemporary, Reformer, mat — three basic styles of Pilates have evolved over decades, and the difference matters significantly if you have a specific condition. This guide breaks down the key distinctions between approaches and which situations each is best suited to.

Read article→→

-STUDIO SELECTION -

Choose your Pilates studio wisely

 

The industry is populated by instructors with widely varying levels and standards of training. Before committing to a studio — particularly if you have a specific condition — here is what to ask, what to look for in terms of qualifications, and what the difference between a clinical practice and a group fitness studio actually means in practice.

Read article→→ 

-BACK & NECK PAIN · UK HEALTH -

Back and neck problems — a major UK health crisis

 

Britain is facing a major health crisis fuelled by a surge in back and neck problems — medical leaders have flagged it publicly. This article covers the clinical context, the scale of the problem, and what it means for how musculoskeletal conditions should be identified and treated rather than repeatedly managed.

Read article→→


✍

More articles in progress

 

Further guides on core stability, sciatica, hypermobility and sports injury rehabilitation.




-IN THE PRESS -

What major publications are reporting right now

Selected external articles from the Guardian, BBC, Men's Health and BoxLife — relevant context for anyone researching Pilates and the current state of the industry.

-MEN'S HEALTH AUSTRALIA · 2025 -

Reformer Pilates benefits for men

 

Covers why reformer Pilates has become one of the most effective tools for men — building functional core strength, improving mobility and supporting joint health without the injury risk of high-impact training. Useful context for male clients considering Pilates for the first time.

Men's Pilates at The Sogunro Practice →

Read on Men's Health Australia  →→

-BOXLIFE MAGAZINE · JUNE 2025 -

Ed Sheeran's viral Pilates video reflects a shift in men's fitness

 

Ed Sheeran's high-profile Pilates content signals a broader cultural shift — men increasingly choosing joint health and longevity over high-impact training as awareness of the long-term cost of poor stabilising strength grows.

Read on BoxLife Magazine→→

-THE GUARDIAN · APRIL 2026 -

Injuries warning amid boom in unregulated reformer Pilates

 

Reports a "wild west" of studios with poor regulation and inexperienced instructors, leading to a growing number of client injuries. Industry bodies warn that Pilates remains unregulated — the issues described are directly addressed by clinical Applied Pilates practice and STOTT certification standards.

Read on The Guardian→→ 

pilates advice - Applied Pilates for Men in St Albans

-BBC NEWS · 2025–2026 -

Reformer Pilates regulation and studio standards

 

Covers the rapid expansion of reformer Pilates studios across the UK and the growing debate around instructor qualifications, class sizes, and client safety — raising questions about what constitutes appropriate instruction at scale.

Read on BBC News→→

Pilates Advice St Albans - Choose your pilates Studio Wisely! - Reformer Pilates craze is stretching us to breaking point

Why this matters when choosing a studio: The problems raised by the Guardian and BBC — overcrowded classes, under-qualified instructors, no individual assessment — are precisely what separates a clinical Applied Pilates practice from a boutique group studio. At The Sogunro Practice, sessions are capped at a maximum of 7 clients, every client starts with a 1-to-1 movement assessment, and Teejay holds full STOTT PILATES® Comprehensive and Rehabilitation certification. 

How to choose a Pilates studio wisely →

- LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIFIC? -

Find the page that matches your condition

Each condition has its own dedicated page covering causes, symptoms, treatment approach and what to expect from an assessment.

🔻Back Pain Read more →

🦴 Osteoarthritis & Osteoporosis    Read more →

🤸Hypermobility & Joint Instability  Read more →

⚡ Sciatica  Read more →

🏃 Sports Injury  Read more →

🌿 Osteolates Therapy  Read more →

🌡️ Facet Joint Syndrome Read more →

🏥 Post-Surgery Rehab Read more →

🧓 Pilates for Over 60s Read more →

🦴 Hip & Knee Pain Read more →

📐
Posture Correction  Read more →

🧍 Shoulder & Neck Pain Read more →

- ABOUT THE PRACTICE -

The Sogunro Practice — specialist Applied Pilates and Osteolates Therapy in London Colney, St Albans since 2001.

STOTT Pilates® Full Comprehensive and Rehabilitation certified. Qualified sports therapist. Former Watford FC Rehab Pilates Sports Therapist (2015–2018). England Over-60s International Squash representative, world ranked top 32. Maximum 7 clients per session. Every new client starts with a 1-to-1 movement assessment.

About Teejay

- ABOUT THE PRACTICE -

Read enough? Book the assessment.

Every article on this page leads to the same starting point — a 60-minute 1-to-1 assessment that identifies what is actually going on and gives you a clear, honest plan. Ample free parking on site.

Enquire About Your £85 Assessment
Or Call Teejay Directly

  info@thesogunropractice.co.uk

>