It seems that Pilates studios are sprouting up everywhere in this town, and the newest one is Pilates Greenhouse.
Owner Jane Bradley has said that she hopes to better tune people in to their own bodies holistically by offering yoga and Pilates classes as well as private sessions at the Greenhouse.
The Greenhouse, at 88 Danbury Road, had open houses scheduled last weekend. But the turnout was apparently weak—there were scarcely any cars parked in the lot during the scheduled open house times, and owner Jane Bradley left early on Sunday, before that day's open house was scheduled to end and before a pre-set appointment with a reporter. She then did not return multiple calls for comment.
But according to its Web site, the Pilates Greenhouse will offer classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. There are also one-on-one sessions available, but the prices are a bit steep compared to other studios in the area. A single private class at the Greenhouse is $85, while Body Sense in Ridgefield, which also offers Pilates, charges from $55 to $65 per private session.
The only trainer listed on the Web site is Bradley, who appears to be well-educated enough to offer specialized instruction specific to numerous ailments, conditions and injuries, and has more than 16 years of experience as a personal trainer. She offers duet and group sessions as well as package plans, and walk-ins are always welcome when the studio is open. The on-site equipment includes four reformers, towers, cadillac, chairs and barrels.
Pilates is a system of movement and stretching that balances, realigns and trains muscles to offer exceptional flexibility, strength, coordination and relaxation. For those not familiar with Pilates, one class is a mind and body opener, especially injured, as each piece of equipment is designed to alleviate tension or pressure to joints and muscles.
The machinery has a curious appeal—the wooden frames with systems of pulleys, ropes and tension springs look more like workbenches than exercise equipment and can leave a novice wondering, "How do you use that?" For those who prefer a simpler approach, there are countless exercise methods that use the floor, a mat, or large fitness balls to optimize stretching.
To schedule a trial session, call the Greenhouse at 203-431-8900.
