It’s a new term! I’m taking bookings for my 9:15 barre class and 10:30 mat Pilates class. Barre is a body conditioning class designed to improve stamina and muscle tone. And Pilates keeps you younger… simple! (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVtW0PbMKAr/?utm_medium=tumblr

The golden hour here @the_orchard_in_fordcombe. I’ve been pottering around in the studio for an hour waiting for the sunset. Having lived in a city for years, I can really appreciate having this fresh air and space, it’s giving me everything. Reformer by sunset anyone? #pilates #reformerpilates #freshair #sunset #ilivedinparisforfiveyearsbutibarelyevermentionitmuchever #pilatesstudio #fordcome #penshurst #tunbridgewells #alignpilates (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/COis-ctlfqd/?igshid=ixw0ks5ah9z

It’s this time of year when my reformer studio @the_orchard_in_fordcombe becomes reborn in light. Thanks Mr Sun ☀️! I’m so excited at the prospect of opening again in just a few weeks and seeing all my client’s amazing faces. The reformers are ready to go! Jon x.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #flexibility #mobility #abdominalworkout #reformerpilates #fitness #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #pilateswithaview #tunbridgewellsmums #pilateswithjon (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMm19nMF_26/?igshid=8uqjuwnqoaz

The swan 🦢 (sans dive) is an exercise for back (postural) strengthening. I think of this move as the antidote to a stooped back/shoulder. And if you ever wanted to try the dirty dancing lift, on a log above a river with your dance instructor, then this is move that readies your spine. Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #swan #flexibility #mobility #strongback #barre #fitness #personaltrainer #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #pilateswithjon (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL67Tj_Fbfe/?igshid=16ualgx7s5t17

This is the full/advanced scissors move ✂️. This move uses our own leg weight to create a powerful, dynamic, hamstring stretch on the flexed leg (if people are looking after neck/upper back health, this move can be done lying on the back instead, arms pulling on the leg for the stretch). This is one of the more iconic Pilates moves but its a little bit flashy isn’t it? I love it! Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #scissors #flexibility #mobility #abdominalworkout #barre #fitness #personaltrainer #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #pilateswithjon (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLjn-m9F7qx/?igshid=9ct30pgf60hz

Hello Bear Plank 🐻. This modified version of a full plank is gentler on the spine than the regular version. It lets us to focus more on the stability aspect of the plank, rather than strength. When alternating hands off, our body will try to alter our centre of gravity so that we can “hang out” on only one side of our body. In attempting not to transition our weight from side to side, we engage our abdominals to stabilise the torso and pelvis. Magic! Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #bearplank #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #abdominals #mobility #abdominalworkout #barre #fitness #personaltrainer #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #pilateswithjon (at Royal Tunbridge Wells) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLcFlBpFiC4/?igshid=tf8i379lm7iq

Mermaids 🧜‍♀️! What more could you ask for from an exercise? A fabulous name and a tight waist. I’m using the Align Pilates Wunda Chair here and it really helps me focus on the correct area of my core (the obliques). The chair apparatus is also very unforgiving by showing up every fault! This move is particularly great for people involved in sports or dance, due to the oblique’s power to stabilise our trunk during complicated movements. Do you mermaid🧜‍♂️? And yes, I know all the words to Part of Your World! Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #abdominals #mobility #abdominalworkout #barre #fitness #wundachair #mermaids #mylittlemermaid #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #pilateswithjon (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLZYEEElhGa/?igshid=ss57y88z5f1v

Leg Pull Back is a Pilates move which strengthens the back/spine, perfect to help us find perfect posture. If the wafting legs are at the expense of a long spine then they can be cut quicker than gluten from an LA diet. The stretch on the front shoulder can be quite strong so don’t hesitate to take breaks. Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #backstrength #mobility #posturalworkout #barre #fitness #personaltrainer #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewellsmums #tunbridgewells (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLW3OCRl1-K/?igshid=m35nlgb7013h

Chairs aren’t just for your little peach 🍑! Using the chair version for the side-plank/side-reach exercise, we can take some of the strain off of the shoulder, letting us focus on the side core muscles (obliques)! We did this in a barre class and my ladies killed it! Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳. #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #strongcore #mobility #abdominalworkout #barre #fitness #personaltrainer #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #pilateswithjon (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLUSyjdlRbF/?igshid=1y0tar5zyaj3v

Leg pull sequence🦵, 8 singles to 2 doubles. This move combines technical points from chest lift, ribcage arms and toe touch, to create a powerful abdominal exercise. Just note that if the neck takes on too much pressure, we can cradle the head in our fingertips and focus on the legs only. We should endeavour to create this with neutral spine where possible. I love combining the two moves together, because the level of difficulty waxes and wanes between single and double, working the abdominals dynamically. Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #abdominals #mobility #abdominalworkout #barre #fitness #personaltrainer #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #pilateswithjon (at Royal Tunbridge Wells) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLRpq4XFgaD/?igshid=nk761pzanqyo

Saturday morning back stretch. This move was from my barre class 👯‍♀️ this week (you can see why barre is often called standing pilates!). To start this move, our abdominals contract, drawing the ribs to pelvis, spine creating our Pilates “c” curve (or 🐈 curve). We then transition the stretch into strength by activating our back’s postural muscles to flatten out our torso. This is a 2 for 1 exercise and I for one, will be doing it twice! Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ #doingittwiceonasaturdaymorning⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #backstretch #mobility #balletbarreworkout #barre #fitness #personaltrainer #wellness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #onlinetraining #holistictraining #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #thermalsocksduetocoldfeet (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLOVKD6FPmx/?igshid=1te9ual8gi90x

The Knee Stir 🥄! Using the body’s largest muscles in a refined manner (we do this to hone the fine motor skills), teaching individual muscles to exchange their energy from one to another. This move is also perfect for mobilising our hip. I often teach this to my clients on days heavy in hip work. Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳.⠀ ⠀ #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #personaltrainer #wellness #fitness #pilates #pilatesexercises #pilatesonline #contrology #onlinetraining #menofpilates #health #healthylifestyle #exercise #instafit #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums (at Croft Fitness) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLMi533l-QP/?igshid=1b6whxi51dtg7

Friday is Barre day👯‍♂️! A body conditioning class but with moves repurposed straight from Swan Lake🦢. Elegant arms, long legs, and enough drama to keep me going all weekend. This is the perfect class to round off my week. Each Friday at 11AM. Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳. #moveoutthewaydarceybussell #barre #joncroftfitness #pilatesstudio #personaltrainer #theorchard #wellness #fitness #pilates #onlinepilates #onlinefitness #healthylifestyle #exercise #fordcombe #groombridge #penshurst #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums (at Royal Tunbridge Wells) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKn2T4lF8wL/?igshid=17b3bwkvjsl0j

Using weights can shift our body into another gear🏋️‍♀️. My Tuesday body conditioning class focuses on the “push, pull and lift” muscles (sometimes lacking in regular Pilates practice). The class isn’t designed to make muscles bigger, but to strengthen/condition them. Results include better bone health🦴, shapelier bottom🍑, calorie burn🔥, and an absolute smugness over people that don’t do body conditioning! Come join me and my amazing clients at 11am on Zoom. Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳. (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKgHV-gFIik/?igshid=18bjmokko70zg

Monday is Pilates at 11am. We work on technique, core strength and back stretching. It’s a 🥵 class on Mondays, but my clients are fab. The pro dancers who join can’t believe what I get my amazing ladies to do! So strong 💁‍♀️. Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe 🌳. (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKdgZw-F9At/?igshid=d6a4b2brivk

I’m still going! And so are my unbelievably fantastic clients... even after 200 classes 🤩. I love teaching Tuesday’s class, getting stronger with weights💪 (body conditioning). Each day is a different style of class... but my naff jokes stay the same 🤪. Jon 🌳 @the_orchard_in_fordcombe . (at Fordcombe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKcEm0iFju9/?igshid=pn65ic4yb5hx

Dear clients, are you anxious about your partner’s incompetence at buying Christmas presents? Well, fear not! We have gift certificates. Can be used for your current sessions at The Orchard in Fordcombe. Drop them a hint... get the gift you want #dontlethimbuythoseuglyshoesagain . Love Jon @the_orchard_in_fordcombe . (at Royal Tunbridge Wells) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIQHHGUlRlg/?igshid=1dxl1llna4yzw