Forest Pilates

Business Details

Expert Pilates Classes in New Forest

Established by a team of dedicated Pilates instructors, Forest Pilates delivers expert-led mat and equipment-based classes designed to enhance physical well-being through personalized instruction. Our teachers, including certified professionals with Body Control Pilates, bring decades of combined experience in functional anatomy, biomechanics, and specialized populations such as pre/post-natal care and back pain management. We prioritize creating a safe, inclusive environment where clients of all abilities can progress from foundational to advanced levels, supported by tailored guidance and a commitment to continuous professional development.

Our approach integrates traditional Pilates principles with modern techniques to improve strength, flexibility, and mind-body awareness. With studios in Bransgore and Pilley, we serve the New Forest community, offering flexible scheduling and a unique class-swapping system to accommodate individual needs. Our focus remains on empowering clients to achieve measurable improvements in mobility, posture, and overall health through structured, empathetic teaching methods.

Services

Mat Pilates Reformer Pilates Private Lessons Back Care Classes Mixed Ability Classes

Highlights and features

We offer over 20 years of combined experience in Pilates instruction with specialized qualifications in back care and rehabilitation.
Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention and tailored feedback for every client.
We provide progressive class levels from beginner to advanced, accommodating all fitness stages.
Our instructors hold certifications in osteopenia/osteoporosis back care and pre/post-natal Pilates.
We utilize a flexible class-swapping system to help clients maintain consistent attendance.

What people say

Huge grin on my face Personal attention unmatched Explanations of moves helpful Progress in daily life Welcoming environment

Website

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Services

Reformer Pilates

Reformer Pilates utilizes specialized equipment with springs and resistance to build strength and flexibility. Clients benefit from enhanced muscle engagement through controlled movements, making it ideal for those seeking faster progress in core stability and posture improvement. The dynamic nature of Reformer sessions supports functional fitness goals while accommodating individual physical limitations.

Mat Pilates

Mat Pilates focuses on bodyweight exercises to develop core strength, balance, and body awareness. Classes emphasize proper alignment and breathing techniques, making them accessible to all fitness levels. This foundational practice improves posture, reduces stress, and enhances mobility through controlled, low-impact movements performed on a mat.

Private Lessons

Private Pilates sessions offer personalized instruction tailored to individual goals and physical needs. Clients receive undivided attention for technique refinement, injury rehabilitation, or targeted strength development. These sessions allow for customized program design and faster progression through direct feedback from experienced instructors.

Back Care Classes

Back Care Pilates classes address posture-related issues and spinal discomfort through gentle, therapeutic movements. Designed for individuals with lower back pain or postural imbalances, these sessions focus on core stabilization, muscle relaxation, and safe mobility exercises to improve spinal health and prevent recurring discomfort.

Mixed Ability Classes

Mixed Ability Pilates classes accommodate diverse skill levels within a single session, allowing participants to progress at their own pace. Instructors provide modifications for beginners while offering challenges for advanced practitioners. This inclusive format fosters community engagement while maintaining individualized attention to technique and form.

People

Lynda Trent-Lander

Founder & Senior Instructor

With 20 years of Pilates experience, Lynda specializes in functional anatomy, biomechanics, and specialized populations including sport performance and older adults. She supervises teacher training programs and integrates diverse disciplines to make complex concepts accessible to all clients.

Jo Hoseford

Mat & Reformer Instructor

Jo focuses on inclusive Pilates instruction, holding qualifications in osteopenia/osteoporosis back care and pre/post-natal Pilates. Her teaching emphasizes functional improvements for daily life, with a passion for helping clients overcome movement restrictions through tailored workouts.

Hazel Stewart

Rehabilitation Specialist

Hazel combines 30 years of fitness industry experience with Pilates expertise, specializing in rehabilitation for neck/back injuries and sports-related conditions. Her background in chiropractic clinic rehabilitation informs her approach to therapeutic movement and injury prevention.

Emma

Mat Class Instructor

Emma brings a dance and yoga background to her Pilates instruction, focusing on joyful movement and mind-body connection. Trained under Lynda, she emphasizes accessibility and functional benefits while helping clients develop body awareness through structured mat workouts.

Stewart Tompkins

Beginner Class Instructor

Stewart specializes in introductory Pilates instruction, creating welcoming environments for new practitioners. With experience in older adult fitness and movement rehabilitation, he focuses on building foundational skills while addressing individual mobility challenges in beginner classes.

Questions

What happens if I need to miss a class?

You can cancel via ClassSwap at least 12 hours before the session to receive a credit for future classes within the same course.

Are there different class difficulty levels?

Yes, we offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, with progression based on your comfort and mastery of fundamental Pilates principles.

What should I wear to Pilates classes?

Wear comfortable, non-baggy clothing and clean socks or bare feet to allow proper posture observation during sessions.

Can I switch to a different class level?

With instructor approval, ClassSwap allows compatible level changes. Contact your teacher directly for specific arrangements.

Do you offer private Pilates sessions?

Yes, one-to-one private lessons are available for personalized instruction and tailored program development with our experienced instructors.

Reviews (4)

Write a Review

Lesley Bennett

Jun 20, 2021 Report

I love every class that Lynda at Forest Pilates leads - she's encouraging, fun and thoroughly dedicated to helping each and every one of us achieve our own personal goals. She is hugely dedicated, constantly learning - although whenever she says she's been on a course, most of us let out a quiet groan as it'll mean she'll be inflicting some fresh new torture on our bodies! But if she didn't, we'd all be less flexible and not half as strong. I've been attending Forest Pilates classes now for over five years and can honestly say that it has helped with my running, swimming, cycling and sailing strength

Marguerite Frost

May 22, 2021 Report

Forest Pilates has helped my back tremendously. It has taken away quite painful aches while out walking. It has also increased my flexibility a great deal. I feel that this is important as you grow older. Lynda is very knowledgeable and understands our bodies. She is very encouraging and gets the best out of all of us

Jane Whittaker

May 19, 2021 Report

Cant praise Lynda highly enough. I love her teaching style. She is clear and precise, and doesnt leave anything to my memory, which is so very helpful. I had a couple of bad experiences with pilates before I joined Lynda and she has increased my confidence in my body after years of chronic illness which I will always be grateful for. She is great at picking up posture points, even on zoom. I have much improved strength and flexibility from when I joined 2 or 3 years ago and I cant even imagine stopping. So please keep going Lynda!

Scarlett Mansfield

May 12, 2021 Report

I'm a long distance cyclist and enjoy riding in the New Forest, I went to Lynda for help improving my speed and technique via pilates. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of detail she provided, and she really helped me to understand and listen to my own body better. I actually feel a lot more confident on my bike too. Thanks Lynda & the team at Forest Pilates! :)