SPRING BREAKERS STAR ASHLEY BENSON GETS HER ABS FROM PILATES

Spring Breakers star Ashley Benson started her week the right way with a sweaty Pilates session. Ashley tweeted that she was 'working on my fitness' before entering the Pilates class. The 23 year-old actress, model and dancer looked very different from her movie character Brittany, as she donned workout leggings, a loose T-shirt and cute pink socks for her Monday workout. As you can see from the photos above, Benson spends most of her time in the movie in revealing bikinis!

Ashley's washboard abs in the movie caused many women to wonder what her exercise routine is. Benson, who is famous for her role in the TV series Pretty Little Liars, is very serious about her fitness regime. The actress is often seen heading to the gym where she does cardio or Pilates classes. She also loves to kickbox. Ashley has also been spotted on several occasions exercising with resistance bands, doing planks and core work with her boyfriend, Tyler Blackburn. Benson informs that she is very energetic so she enjoys using that energy to exercise and stay fit. 

Ashley reveals that her first-ever movie attire is not what you would expect of her. “I was in a bathing suit every single day [while filming Spring Breakers]. It definitely made me more confident. I was like, ‘Whatever. Come on, throw it on me.’ It is what it is! People will make mean comments. People are going to say that you’re fat, that you’re this, that you’re that. You just have to be comfortable in your own skin.”

Want to be comfortable in your own skin and tone your tummy for summer? Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com 

x Emily 

KATE RITCHIE'S BEST BODY DUE TO PILATES

Summer Bay's sweetheart Kate Ritchie sat down with Australia's WHO magazine just last week to talk exclusively about fitness and health, among other things. The magazine, out now, displays breathtaking photos of Kate posing in a white dress in a pool and her toned and trim new body is hard to miss. 

Ritchie reveals that constant persistence and increased confidence helped her to achieve her best-ever body. Well, that and Pilates. Just a few weeks away from her 35th birthday, Kate bares her sensational legs and taut arms in the photo shoot. The actress discovered Pilates classes four years ago and has stayed committed to this exercise regime ever since. Said Kate in 2009 "I recently started Pilates classes once a week and I can already see what a great discipline it is." Ritchie explains that she likes exercise that has a particular focus on core strength, such as Pilates, as it "is so important for women of all ages". 

 Ritchie also reveals that her reasons for exercising are three-fold; "As I get older I realise that exercise isn't only about fitting into my jeans, it's about longevity! And it also keeps my mind healthy which is just as important". 

As Channel Seven gets excited to air Ritchie's much-anticipated return to TV show Home & Away after five years, Kate explains that she was not always as confident in her skin as she is now. "I was the awkward, pudgy teenager, but I've slowly grown into who I am now....I did have a really hard time during puberty, but it's made me who I am now. It's nice to feel like the most positive thing I can do is to be the best version of me". We should all strive to do this daily! 

The new size eight Kate also loves to go for walks around Sydney, works out with a personal trainer and is careful with her portion sizes. "I eat very healthily during the week and save the treats for the weekend", says Ritchie. We congratulate Kate on having achieved her best body ever in a healthy and responsible way! 

Want to drop a dress size like Kate? Interested in trying a new form of exercise? Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com 

x Emily 

PILATES DEVOTEE VANESSA HUDGENS' SECOND HOME IS AT THE STUDIO

Former Disney actress Vanessa Hudgens was snapped attending Pilates classes 3 days in a row just last week! The 24-year old may have had a few days off to attend the popular music festival Coachella, but she was right back to her healthy routine just days later participating in tough Pilates reformer classes. That's what we call dedication!

The paparazzi crashed one of Vanessa's gruelling LA Pilates classes and took photos of her in action. Pictured above performing a tough abdominal pike exercise, Vanessa cut a trim figure in her causal workout gear. The young actress is used to cameras flashing at her before, during and after her exercise classes, as the Pilates studio she attends has fast become her second home! It seems that for the last year not a week goes by in Hollywood without pictures of Vanessa arriving or leaving a Pilates class. 

Vanessa has been very vocal about her need for regular Pilates classes, due to a chocolate addiction. "My secret to flat abs is Pilates". Vanessa also hits the gym at least four times a week to attend spin classes and get her heart-rate up on machines. The half-Filpina actress showed off her well-deserved toned Pilates tummy at Coachella festival just days before, with her boyfriend Austin Bulter on her arm (picture above). 

Vanessa's toned and taut thighs, trim stomach and defined arms make lots of appearances in her latest feature film, Spring Breakers, out in cinemas now. Obviously Hudgens has found an exercise routine that works for her, as she has never looked more fit. 

Fun fact: an hour of challenging reformer Pilates burns approximately 360 calories and most of these exercises can be performed whilst lying on your back! Find out for yourself why Vanessa Hudgens and so many other celebrities swear by Pilates. Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com 

x Emily 

LADY GAGA RECOVERS AFTER HIP SURGERY with PILATES

After undergoing hip surgery just last month due to a severe joint inflammation and a tear in her right hip, Lady Gaga is recovering...with Pilates! The 27-year-old shock singer was sighted working out at Reform Pilates studio in Chicago just last week. It appears that Gaga is making quick work of her rehabilitation with Pilates! 

The Poker Face singer was photographed just a few weeks ago getting around town in a wheelchair (which was made of real gold!) but appears to now be getting back on her feet. The owner of Reform Pilates studio informs the press that Gaga's people "emailed us and asked if they could rent out the studio. Gaga scheduled private Pilates lessons for herself on two occasions. She (Gaga) seemed to be in good health. She was walking around totally fine. But her range is limited on her right side. She didn't seem to be in pain...she seemed to be in good shape" reveals the studio owner. Decked out in very unusual clothes for the eccentric signer (Gaga was wearing black stretch pants, a black T-shirt and barely any makeup) she seems to be serious about the rehabilitation of her right hip. 

Gaga is no stranger to being in the limelight. Her body is constantly making news headlines and magazine covers for being 'too thin' or 'too fat'. The young singer tries to ignore the tabloids and revealed some of her health & fitness secrets in a recent interview. Gaga exercises consistently; a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio, Pilates or Yoga five times a week. She does copious amounts of abdominal curls to keep her tummy toned and trim. 

Gaga also eats a healthy, balanced diet and swears by a 5 Factor Diet, which involves eating five times a day (two meals and three snacks). These five meals must fall into these five categories: low-glycermic carbs (low GI), lean protein, fibre, healthy fats and sugar-free beverages. Gaga is also allowed one treat day a week. The famous singer loves to snack on salsa with grain chips, turkey slices, coconut water, hummus and tofu. 

Lady Gaga had no choice but to cancel 22 dates of her US 'Born this Way' tour in February this year so she could undergo hip surgery. The singer announced this news to her 34 million followers on social media site Twitter (where else?) and revealed that she had previously tried to keep it a secret so as not to upset her fans who had bought tickets for the cancelled shows. If Gaga continues her Pilates rehab the way she is going just mere weeks after undergoing surgery, she may very well be able to decrease her recovery time (the singer was reportedly advised to take six months) and get back on tour. 

Having trouble rehabilitating after undergoing surgery? Injured and getting frustrated as you cannot improve your recovery time? Come try Pilates today! This form of exercise is low impact, therefore no stress will be placed on your joints whilst you work out. Pilates is recommended by physiotherapists all around the world for its rehabilitation benefits. Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com to find out more! 

x Emily

ROSARIO DAWSON'S IS THE NEWEST HOOKED CONVERT TO PILATES!

Beautiful actress Rosario Dawson has been in the gossip columns a lot recently. You would think Hollywood would be talking about her box office smashes or exotic good looks but no; its all about her defined back and toned abs! 

The 33-year-old turned heads when she showed off her killer curves and trim figure for a Shape magazine photo-shoot wearing a white bikini (picture above). Dawson has without a doubt one of the best bodies in Hollywood; she is athletic, fit, strong and toned. Rosario is a long time fan of Yoga and spin classes, but has recently discovered Pilates and has been raving about this exercise regime ever since! 

"A co-star of mine got me into it. After just a couple of weeks, I noticed a physical change, especially in my posture. Now I stand differently, I sit differently. I don’t love working out, but I can honestly say I miss Pilates and how it makes my body feel. And there’s nothing like it when those endorphins kick in."

Rosario also reveals in a recent interview that she really likes that Pilates increases her energy levels and helps her to work off heavy meals. 

Dawson admits that she eats whatever her body craves and does not believe in depriving herself to achieve a skinny Hollywood figure. 

"Whether I crave fresh vegetables or foie gras nothing makes me feel better than having something I really enjoy". 

Rosario does not believe in feeling guilty after indulging every once in a while. "The stress you put yourself through for having a treat is probably a thousand times worse for you than the sugar you just had." So true! 

It appears that the newest convert to Pilates is getting lots of attention on the red carpet! Dawson's super toned arms and trim tummy in a baby blue dress were the envy of all guests at the Golden Globes earlier this year (see photo above). Rosario also made headlines just a few days ago for revealing her sculptured mid back at the London premiere of her latest movie Trance (see photo above). In a glittery red dress Dawson's fit looking back had everyone talking about the amazing results she is getting from Pilates. 

Want to get a toned and taut back like Rosario? Or looking to sculpt your abs and curves? Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com.  

x Emily 

EMILY VANCAMP OWES HER REVENGEFUL BODY TO PILATES

The hottest TV actress around right now is undoubtedly Emily VanCamp. Her sultry eyes, her perfect pout, her epic wardrobe and that rocking BODY; we can’t help but be rather jealous of the new kid on the block. The 26-year-old actress reveals how she keeps her body looking amazing and red-hot in the latest edition of US Shape magazine. Below are some of her fitness and health secrets!

Emily, a former ballet dancer, reveals that she owes her envious figure to a ‘love affair’ with Pilates. VanCamp admits that her young years of tough ballet training made her no stranger to pushing her body to achieve her goals. “The amount of rigour [ballet] required was exhausting but rewarding. I still have that competitiveness from being so entrenched in it at such a young age.” It appears that Emily has now channelled that competiveness and dedication to regular Pilates classes!

“Pilates is my favourite core strengthener. I do it three or four times a week. With all the strengthening and lengthening, it's like ballet. Plus, you get to exercise lying down!”

Vancamp also dishes about one very memorable Pilates exercise; “The Hundreds abdominal move is a killer. I can't say it's my favourite, because it's not easy, but it works!"

Emily is becoming known for her super flat abs, as well as her acting ability. As you can see from the photos above, Vancamp cuts a fine figure on magazine covers, at photo shoots and holidaying with her man and Revenge co-star, Josh Bowman. And we haven’t even gotten into the actress’s stunning red carpet figure! Emily informs that she keeps her commitment to Pilates so that she can wear all those glamorous cocktail dresses whilst sporting a toned stomach.

The beauty also talks eating with Shape magazine and how she stays away from bad food. "I'm on-set 12 to 15 hours a day, and I make sure to eat every couple of hours to stay high-energy. I love my carbs, but I try to balance them with protein, like fish or chicken, and plenty of vegetables—and not nibble too many doughnuts. My chicken souvlaki is easy, healthy and great with a Greek salad."

Want to get super-toned abs like emily? or interested in a really tough core workout? Give Pilates a try today! Call Premium pilates studio on 0402 68-0 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com 

x Emily 

WHY ALL MEN SHOULD PRACTISE PILATES

Gentleman, there is a very good reason why your girlfriends are spending their disposable income on frequent Pilates classes - because they really and truly WORK. Perhaps the idea of losing weight, wearing cute exercise gear and toning up your inner thighs does not appeal to you, but does a stronger core and a better sex life? If it does, read on. 

As co-owner of Premium Pilates Studio, a Pilates reformer studio in Brisbane, I see more and more men coming in to try out this once women dominated form of exercise. More often than not, male clients are surprised by how tough the exercises are and how much of a workout they get from a 50 minute class. Pilates offers a wealth of benefits that men will specifically be interested in, such as the five listed below. 

1. Pilates improves your core strength. 

 Pilates focuses on strengthening your deep transverse abdominals, which are the muscles underneath your six-pack, given you a super strong, toned and ripped stomach. 

2. Pilates increases flexibility. 

Athletic men are generally quite inflexible, due to the large amount of muscle mass they have. Pilates focuses on stretching and leaning the muscles of the body, which reduces the chance of injury and muscle strains. In addition, Pilates increases your range of motion, which is very important for fit men as it enhances their sport and exercise. 

3. Pilates develops overlooked and neglected muscles. 

Certain muscles are utilised during almost every move we make, which results in overactivity, tightness and sometimes pain in these muscles. Pilates focuses on strengthening the smaller, often unused muscles which results in a more proportional body, balanced muscle mass and lessens the risk of injury.  

4. Pilates helps your attention span.  

If you have been in a Pilates class before, you will know that you have to pay attention to every single exercise; you need to focus on your breath, your technique, your speed and the muscles you should be working. Its a lot to take in, but it results in you expanding your awareness, your focus and your consciousness (which is probably something that your girlfriend often tells you to do!). 

5. Pilates enhances your sex life. 

We saved the best for last...Pilates strengthens the core of the body and the pelvic floor, which results in greater control in this part of the anatomy for men in the bedroom. 

Hopefully these benefits have increased your knowledge of and interest in Pilates guys! If you are intrigued by this form of exercise, come give Pilates a go! Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com. One of the co-owners, Chris Boult, is a male who swears by Pilates for the above five reasons and many more. Come try Pilates with him today! 

LUCY LIU'S PILATES PINS LOOK FABOLOUS AT 44

Movie & TV actress Lucy Liu dishes the dirt on her exercise routine that makes her look like a twenty-something instead of her actual 44 years. 

 "I'm smarter, stronger and more confident than I was in my twenties", says Liu, in the US Fitness magazine that came out this week. 

The top photo of Lucy showing her toned and trim legs featured in the magazine, with Liu accrediting her slender physique to regular Pilates classes.  "Ten years of Pilates has really changed my body for the better," the magazine cover model raves. The exercise routine "introduced me to muscles I never even knew I had." For anyone who has tried Pilates, I bet you are in total agreement with that last sentence! 

The gorgeous actress also combines workouts and her TV shows to stay in shape. "I don't always, but I can do Pilates at home with a ball and I have a treadmill.  I run or do Pilates while watching Downtown Abbey!" Whatever works with your busy schedule! 

The Charlie's Angel actress believes that it is very important to have a support group of friends to keep you motivated.  "A group of five of us, friends and friends of friends, have an e-mail chain going and we all set goals: an ideal weight, inches we wanted to lose, eating habits we wanted to adopt. We'd e-mail saying, 'I ran today.' Or 'I ate this,' and we'd share recipes. Then we'd celebrate by going to a show or taking a group Pilates class when each of us reached our goals. We also celebrated mini milestones along the way to keep our motivation up." Such a simple but excellent idea for holding yourself and others accountable to their health & fitness goals. 

Want to engage muscles that you never knew you had? Looking to tone the parts of your body that you cannot seem to with any other form of exercise? Call Premium Pilates today on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com. 

x Emily 

NIKKI REED GOES NEON AT PILATES

Nikki Reed has a very impressive resume. At the young age of 24 she is a well-known movie & TV actress, screenwriter, singer-songwriter, model and is happily married. Not to mention that her body is fit, fabulous and flawless. Nikki burst onto the Hollywood scene 10 years ago, at the tender age of 14, as she co-starred and co-wrote the controversial movie 'Thirteen'. She found fame again starring in the Twilight saga and is by no means slowing down, as she has four films in the pipeline. 

Nikki was spotted twice in the last week starting her day with a Pilates class in Sherman Oaks, California. The actress debuted some very quirky neon footwear when she departed from her Pilates session. Known as 'barefoot' trainers, Nikki's bright pink shoes added a fun splash of colour to her otherwise all black workout attire. Perhaps Nikki used these sweet sneakers when running her very first half marathon (21 kilometre) run for charity in December. The toned actress & her husband Paul McDonald donned their futuristic sneakers and completed the race in under 2 and a half hours! What a fit chick! 

Nikki informs that this athletic feat was a great achievement for her,as being a longtime smoker she was unable to keep up any level of fitness. 'Smoking kept me from being able to run, swim, hike and participate in sports as I was always out of breath. 'Being active is really important to me because it wasn’t an option before,' reveals Nikki.  'I gave myself a disability by smoking'. As Nikki celebrates her half marathon milestone and three years smoke-free, I'm betting that she has never felt fitter or more toned in her life. 

Besides her running training and regular Pilates classes , Nikki also enjoys hiking, water-skiing and windsurfing and says that she finds running on a treadmill 'boring'.The newlywed likes to follow a vegan eating plan too, calling carbohydrates her friends. 'I eat tons of quinoa, tons of brown rice and tons of avocados. I eat like two avocados a day! I'm all about fuel foods.'

Want to change your life and become physically fit and active like Nikki? Keen to participate in an exercise that does not bore you silly? Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com and start your fitness goal today! 

x Emily

LARA BINGLE DROPS 12 KILOS WITH REFORMER PILATES

"I lost everything that was weighing me down", Australian model Lara Bingle says of her recent 12 kilogram weight loss. In a January edition of WHO magazine, Bingle opens up about her newly svelte figure and super toned stomach. One year ago, Lara was snapped at Bondi Beach in a bikini sporting a shapely figure for her small frame, which resulted in cruel taunts about her weight gain. 12 months later the gorgeous model is having the last laugh, as she debuted her new and improved body, which she reveals is all thanks to reformer Pilates and a healthy, balanced diet. The 25-year-old displayed her lean figure recently in a pair of clingy black leggings and a sports bra after leaving a gym in Sydney, Australia (photo above). Lara was all smiles after a gruelling workout, showing off her toned and trim tummy. 

In her recent interview with WHO, Bingle talks candidly about her weight gain. She admits that she was at her heaviest last year and that her boyfriend of 13 months, fashion designer Gareth Moody, was her biggest motivator in losing weight. "I've learnt you've got to be consistent in your eating and training. Gareth's taught me that", Lara explains. Bingle's new healthy lifestyle consists of reformer Pilates, super healthy smoothies and a good relationship with food. Lara reveals her weekly exercise routine in the interview, explaining that running increased her appetite and would result in her consuming double the amount of food that she does now. "I noticed once I started doing three to four sessions of Pilates a week that it calmed my crazy life down and I felt a lot more relaxed. I think that doing different activities and also mixing it up with outdoor sports is good, too, as it is a lot more stimulating than just running on a treadmill. I think it’s all about incorporating exercise into your life and not letting it be something you are forced into doing, so exercising with my friends and boyfriend always helps. Food is most important, though, because you can train but if you eat badly it won’t work."

Lara now eats healthier and smarter as well as participating in tough but rewarding Pilates classes. "With all the exercise that I do, I have to fuel my body, so I start the day with a couple of boiled eggs because I can peel them and eat them on the go, and on the weekends I might have toast with avocado. For lunch I’ll have sashimi, sushi or tuna salad, so I have a lot of protein and salad or vegetables and I also have little snacks throughout the day, like almonds. For dinner, my boyfriend and I both cook, and it’s usually just some kind of protein and vegetables. I also have a sweet tooth, so for a treat I have goji berries and dark chocolate, and I love chocolate bullets! I try and eat as organically as possible, so  I go to the food markets to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. Oh, and I love juices – anything green – like cucumber, kale, spinach, and also lemon, ginger and apple". 

Lara seems to have found the key to living a balanced, healthy lifestyle as she has never looked more toned, fit or happy! 

Do you have a few extra kilos that you would like to drop, just like Lara? Want to have a toned & lean stomach but find that other exercise does not work for your body? Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com today! 

x Emily 

JENNA DEWAN-TATUM STEPS UP with PREGNANCY PILATES

Jenna Dewan-Tatum is the envy of millions of women around the world, due to her happy marriage with hunky actor Channing Tatum. There's yet another reason to wish you were Jenna; her body is toned, trim and, well, super HOT. Did we mention she was also pregnant?  The actress, model and dancer announced she was pregnant with her first child in December 2012, however at four months she is barely showing and looking even more radiant than usual! 

Last Thursday Jenna was seen heading to a Pilates reformer class in West Hollywood, keeping her baby bump until wraps despite the hot day. Mrs Tatum informs that she intends to have a healthy, balanced pregnancy and has organised her exercise routine accordingly for the next five months. Jenna is participating in exercise that will keep her fit, without over-straining her body and Pilates seems to be a perfect fit for this petite star! The 32-year-old dressed down in black leggings, sneakers and a grey sweater however her defined legs and fit frame could still be seen through these layers. 

After her Pilates workout, Jenna was seen meeting a friend in Hollywood, wearing a beautiful blue, black and white maxi dress that completely concealed her baby bump. Mrs Tatum definitely deserved a sizeable meal after all the toning and strengthening she did in her one hour Pilates class. 

Jenna met her husband of three years, Channing Tatum, on the set of dance film Step Up in 2006. They married in a small ceremony in Malibu in 2009 and have been loved up ever since. The gorgeous brunette revealed that her first pregnancy was not planned but that she was very keen to start her family. "We have been practicing my parenting skills on our two dogs LuLu & Meeka" Jenna informs. "They are kids without being kids, its good preparation!" 

It appears that Jenna will continue to keep her super fit and slender body with regular Pilates over the next five months. 

Want to look as good as Jenna does pregnant? Want to try an exercise routine that will lean and tone without putting excessive strain on your body? Try reformer Pilates today! Call Premium Pilates Studio on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com 

x Emily