NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The award-winning Marathon Pilates of Nashville, Tennessee has expanded, both physically and virtually. Recently, Marathon Pilates announced the expansion of its 12 South studio, doubling the physical size of that location, as well as a new slate of virtual classes, making Marathon Pilates accessible, literally, everywhere there is internet.

With a successful career on the corporate side of healthcare, Ruby Ramdhan has always been mindful of words from a trusted mentor: "It's a marathon, not a sprint." She had a nearly 20-year passion for Pilates, so when Marathon Pilates of Nashville became available, she knew it was a sign: time to step into entrepreneurship and the fitness side of wellness.

Challenges lie ahead, however. First, a devastating tornado destroyed Ruby's East Nashville studio. Then, the pandemic forced the closing of businesses, including gyms and fitness studios. Ruby and her team learned to pivot quickly, offering private and streaming/virtual classes, and eventually transitioning into small, social-distanced group classes. A savvy business woman, Ramdhan negotiated co-branding relationships to support other wellness-related businesses, and despite uncertainty, expanded class and workshop offerings to include other modalities, including yoga, nutrition, therapeutic massage, and expanded virtual classes. She invested in marketing and social media, and while other businesses understandably played it safe, made the significant investment in the expansion of one of the company's two brick and mortar locations. The expanded space allows for more class offerings and includes a flex space for specialty workshops, videography and networking.

Although the offerings have expanded, Ramdhan and her team remain focused on the core business of Pilates, urging those new year's resolutions on their minds to incorporate this low impact form of exercise into their fitness routine. Pilates offers total body strengthening and conditioning with improved postural alignment and flexibility," Ramdhan says. "It truly is the perfect complement to all other physical activities and I'm delighted to make Pilates available everywhere through our new virtual classes."

Pilates is unique in its accessibility to just about everyone, regardless of fitness level.

"Regardless of your fitness background, or your current level of fitness, Pilates offers incredible benefits," says Ruby Ramdhan, owner of the award-winning Marathon Pilates of Nashville, Tennessee. "A regular Pilates practice improves posture, aligns the body and gives a great core workout whether you're on the mat or on the machine."

HERE ARE 12 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT PILATES

• PILATES WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED AS A REHABILITATIVE TOOL

Joseph Pilates created the practice and dedicated his entire life to improving physical and mental health during the early 20th century.

• RESULTS COME QUICKLY

A controlled trial in 2016 trial found that just eight weeks of Pilates classes rendered improved flexibility, balance, and abdominal endurance.

• PILATES IS ENJOYING A RESURGENCE

Today, Pilates is a well-known exercise and lifestyle worldwide, and is a popular choice of exercise for hundreds of thousands of people. Both challenging and safe, Pilates offers a unique blend of strength and flexibility.

• STRENGTH WITHOUT BULK

Pilates can give you long, lean, toned muscles for truly functional fitness.

• IMPROVES POSTURE, FLEXIBILITY AND CORE STRENGTH

Pilates offers a form of integrative fitness hard to find in other disciplines.

• YOU CAN DO PILATES DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY

Moms-to-be who exercise their deep core muscles regularly experience shorter labors, plus reduced lower back and pelvic pain. One of the great benefits of Pilates is how this great low impact exercise can help with overall posture including spinal and pelvic alignment. This is particularly beneficial for pregnant women and women who have just given birth, as the physical changes that come with pregnancy can put added stress on your low back and hips. During pregnancy, Pilates can help to maintain your level of fitness, strengthen your pelvic muscles (which makes giving birth easier), and also promote efficient body mechanics. These are ideal as your body prepares for the strain of childbirth. Added bonus --- moms can also expect a quicker recovery and return to their pre-pregnancy body.

• PILATES IS THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO ANY FITNESS PLAN

"Pilates complements every other fitness program or sport because it teaches the body to move better, plain and simple," Ramdhan says. "You'll find that you can lift heavier weights, run or swim with better efficiency and form, or achieve greater balance in yoga." Top professional athletes and team trainers have discovered the benefits of Pilates for their teams.

• PILATES IS BOTH CHALLENGING AND SAFE

Pilates delivers a unique blend of strength and flexibility; a resistance-based, low-impact workout providing overall strength with a sense of calm internal focus.

• YOU'LL HAVE CELEBRITY ARMS AND KILLER ABS

Celebrities regularly credit Pilates for their toned, red-carpet ready muscles.

• PILATES CAN IMPROVE EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES

Pilates really hits your core muscle, which has effects on your lower back, abdomen, hip and pelvic muscles. Not only is a strong core essential for exercises, it is also essential for everyday tasks such as carrying heavy items, lifting children, carrying groceries, and more.

• THERE ARE DIFFERENT FORMS OF PILATES

Popular are mat classes and reformer classes. Either on a cushioned mat or a machine called a reformer, (a sliding platform with stationary foot bar, springs, and pulleys to provide resistance), both options focus on control rather than high reps or muscle exhaustion.

• PILATES WORKS SEVERAL MUSCLE GROUPS

Expect a workout for the entire body. Although focused on core or abdominal muscles, the core actually includes the entire trunk: abdominals, hips, inner and outer thighs, arms, back and more. Even though the main focus of Pilates is on developing core strength, it is also a full-body workout. This ensures that no specific muscle is overdeveloped or underdeveloped, giving that perfect lean body everyone desires.

ABOUT MARATHON PILATES

Named the best Pilates studio in Nashville by both Nashville Fit Magazine and The Nashville Scene newspaper, Marathon Pilates has two Nashville locations (plus virtual classes) offering multiple Pilates disciplines using various apparatus to deliver maximum results and lifelong benefits.

No matter where you live, you can take virtual mat Pilates classes with Ruby and her team at Marathon Pilates. Simply visit http://www.marathonpilates.com for more information and the virtual class schedule.

Media Contact

Claire Ratliff, Laughing Penguin Publicity, +1 (615) 476-3200, [email protected]

SOURCE Marathon Pilates