Your Questions, My Answers
I'm Confused Regarding Booking Sessions?
Even with the simplest purchases through the studio manager, there are often questions regarding: how much for a series of sessions with me?
Because customer support and service is critical to the needs of all our clienteie, Pilates of Champions studio strongly recommends person to person or over the phone discussions during our standard business hours to minimize errors to best support the client and their pending needs (all transactions are supported via a student card, regarding what days/times you have selected with myself or my office manager, and what payment is made into your account). For physical therapy referrals coming from doctors offices or physical therapy clinics, my manager will recommend you speak with me directly. Please make phone call appointments with my manager prior to your phone conversation with me, just so I know day, time and any specific details.
What is the best time to call your business cell number? Tuesdays-Fridays between 2:45-4:00PM are always best. To secure your phone call, please text 281-685-5711 to schedule your phone call with me.
Where do the Pilates sessions take place?
Your Clinical and Classical sessions take place at Pilates of Champions with the EAKGilmourMethods© The studio is conveniently situtated between The Woodlands and Pinehurst in beautiful Magnolia Texas between Harden Store Road and 149 Spur. We have served the Greater Houston area since 1988 when Elizabeth Gilmour moved back to the States from Europe and South Africa. The people in the Champions area, Cypress, Spring, Tomball, Magnolia, The Woodlands and Conroe all the way over to Humble and down to The Galleria districts, all make their way over to learn how to maintain quality of fitness, strength, flexibility, endurance, and fat loss to lean tissue gain with the Studio. We are within reach to those located within 50 miles in and around West Woodlands by way of Tollways throughout the area. Find us here.
What should I bring to my sessions?
The only things you really need to bring with you is a medium sized hand towel, water bottle with secure lid, and your Pilates Toe Socks (you can buy the required toe socks at ToeSock.com, or for our newer clientele, you can borrow a pair of the clean house toe socks to try on, until you buy yours). The Toe Socks have a rubberized bottom which helps to grip all the equipment at the studio. Plus, having toes and feet covered is more hygienic. And we ask everyone to please cover their cough/sneeze with their hand towel.
How long have you been a Pilates Practitioner?
I trained in England during the early/mid 1980's and have been a practicing Pilates since then. I have been providing Pilates instruction in the same area of Houston since 1988, then relocated our studio practice on 23 June 2017 to West Woodland. Before Pilates, I have taught High School and College athletics, sports nutrition, body composition testing and body analysis testing, university communication courses, and anatomy drawing and art history since 1980. Find out more here.
What other educational or professional memberships do you have relating to exercise and fitness?
I have an educational and research background in clinical exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, and clinical/classical Pilates methods, communications, art and art history. I am a Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine; member of of the International Society for Sports Psychology; Member of the American Society for Exercise Physiology; An Athletic Trainer with the American Council on Exercise, Certified Pilates Teacher from IHB in England. I am active in continuing education in exercise science and sports psychology and physical therapy. Find out more about Elizabeth here.
How often should I train with you?
This depends upon your objectives and whether or not you may be considered a clinical Pilates patient before, during or after your PT. Most people attend 3 sessions per week, however there are clients who attend only 2 sessions per week due to outside/work commitments, there are less than a handful who attend once per week, then we have our hardcore athletes attending 4 times per week. We can discuss what is appropriate for you and your schedule at your first session when we do an assessment and set out your objectives, as well as available open appointments with me. Find out more here
Do you do private and group sessions and what size are the groups?
We do both private and small group sessions, and everything inbetween. Since the pandemic hit our studio back in March 2020, our Groups can only consist of 4 people max. Small Groups, Triads, Duets and Privates are booked in advance and the session is planned in advance around the level and physical condition of the client(s) booked for those sessions. Find out more about our sessions here
If I have joint, back or neck problems/pain can I still do Pilates?
In many cases, Pilates done correctly can be a highly effective way to help manage and improve joint or spine problems. I specialize in Clinical Pilates, Athletic Pilates, Sports Science, and the management of chronic joint or back/neck pain is my specialty. I have had (and continue to have) some major success stories in working with patients who otherwise were unable to participate in an effective level of exercise, or even their day to day living routines (please read the testimonials). On a personal note, my husband is one such case due to his high impact rugby days in college while doing his PhD, and I have worked extensively with him since his mid-40's when most all post-high impact athletes who have a sit down career as adults after college, start to feel minor to major injuries coming to haunt them. My husband has returned to a level of mobility which he was not expected to achieve after having gone through major problems with a severe cervical spine condition in 2010 which required major surgery, then a second cervical surgery, which has helped to return complete mobility in conjunction with Clinical Pilates. He also had a total knee replacement in December 2017 of which he amazed all his doctors and therapist alike, because he had a full range of motion within 45 days thanks to Pilates on all equipment training with me. Another patient's success story you can read about, is in a book titled, "Her Longest Marathon" by Randy A. Birken, M.D., where a drunk driver hit her head on early on a Sunday morning while she was out training for her last major marathon (she is now walking due to my Clinical Athletic Pilates Methods). Find out more here