top of page
Pilates can have a positive effect on both physical and mental health.
Pilates focuses on the connection of your mind and body and adapts a reflective approach which is very much holistic.
​
Serena is a qualified Pilates Practitioner after taking part in a rigorous training programme with Elite Pilates in South Devon. She aims to provide group and 1:1 sessions that are accessible to all – whatever your starting point may be. Having studied the techniques of Joseph Pilates, the original founder of Pilates, she has a thorough understanding of how to modify and adapt exercises to suit all clients. The six main principles of Pilates: concentration, centring, control, breathing, precision and flow form the golden thread running through Serena’s sessions.
​
She firmly believes that Pilates is for everyone – from beginners to elite athletes. Having recovered from injury herself, she has first hand experience of how Pilates can have a positive effect on both physical and mental health.
​
Serena will encourage you to move mindfully and become aware of how you are thinking and feeling throughout the exercises. Pilates focuses on the connection of your mind and body and adapts a reflective approach which is very much holistic in nature. Where required, Serena may signpost you towards other health professionals (physiotherapists, personal trainers, therapists etc) if she feels this may benefit you.
​
Serena regularly updates her Instagram with insightful posts that form a collaboration of her own personal experiences and more formal research reports. Be sure to take a look at her journals @thrive_sw_pilates . Serena looks forward to welcoming you into her Pilates community.
-
How can I make payment for my session or appointment?You can pay before or after the session via cash, card or BACs. If you are paying for a block of sessions/appointments then please pay for these prior to starting your first session via BACs to the following account: Acc holder name: Mr L R Weston Bank: Natwest Acc type: Private account Acc no: 56525303 Sort code: 53-50-52 Payment Ref: Your initials
-
Is there parking?Parking is available at all locations that Thrive operate from. At Oakfields Personal Training, there are 3 free parking spaces. If they are occupied, there is pay and display parking on street. At my Shirehampton studio & treatment room there is off street parking outside the rear of the studio.
-
How far do you travel for mobile sessions?At Thrive, we allow for a travel time of 15 minutes each way from my base of work (Clifton/Westbury Park) - to and from the appointment - so it will include a lot of Bristol, depending on the time of session as traffic is always a factor. If you are further away, that does not rule you out, contact Thrive to discuss other options.
-
Do you offer refunds?Sessions purchased in a block are non-refundable but will be honoured for 6 months from the date of purchase if there is a break between appointments and/or can be transferred to another individual to use.
-
What happens if I cannot make my session/ appointment?If you are unable to attend a session (or are running late) please contact Thrive as soon as possible to discuss possible options. If you are unable to attend, and notified Thrive with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged for the full session cost, as stated in the cancelation policy. Unfortunately, this is a necessity as last-minute changes can be very disruptive and effect income whilst still incurring outgoings for room/gym hire. Please still notify Thrive via email /text if it is an anti-social hour.
-
Are there discounts for existing clients?Yes, as an existing client you receive a £3 discount off all soft tissue therapy appointment prices. Discounts cannot be combined or used in conjunction with other special offers.
-
Do you have a referral scheme?Yes, if you are an existing client and know someone who could benefit from Thrive's soft tissue therapy (STT) services? Make a referral and you'll both receive £3 off a STT appointment when they book. Discounts cannot be combined or used in conjunction with other special offers.
-
What fitness equipment do I need?Absolutely no equipment at all. I will bring all of the equipment you will need to provide a bespoke, challenging and enjoyable session, whether this is at your home or out at a greenspace. If you have any of your own kit we will incorporate it into the sessions so you learn how to utilise it for the best effect and so you can become confident in using it outside of our sessions if you wish to.
-
How much space do I need if you come to my house to provide PT?In most cases we can be very inventive to what space is on offer but as a guide, as long as you have more than 2 x 2 m square of space we can get you working up a sweat.
-
Can I combine PT and soft tissue therapy together within the same session or within a service package of multiple sessions?Yes, you can combine both together within the same session, normally would need longer than 60 minutes or one after each other. If you have a package of 5 or 10 PT sessions, you can use those for soft tissue massage as well as PT but only at the same location.
-
Can I train a combination between mobile, online and at the gym?Yes you can, at Thrive we try to be as flexible as possible to meet your needs and what fits in with you. You can either pay for individual sessions at the cost of the location you are training or you pay for the package of multiple session discount for the location you think you will train the majority of the time.
-
Do you offer dietary guidance and nutritional plans?Unfortunately, at Thrive we aren’t qualified dietitians or nutritionists so cannot legally give you guidance on nutrition for specific conditions or provide nutritional plans. However, we can provide ideas and ways to explore your own diet and nutrition to improve your health. We feel that letting you decide what is right for your body and what works for you within your daily life is far more empowering to explore. We know than just mindlessly following an off the shelf ‘diet’ claiming guaranteed results doesn’t work for all. We are here to support, encourage and help you find what works as we realise that nutrition is the major factor in gaining and maintaining optimal health alongside exercise. So, we may get you to log, journal or record what you are consuming as a starting point, discussing possible avenues to explore in improving your nutrition going forward. Upon signing up for PT or S&C sessions you will receive a free 21 everyday healthy recipes eBook. With 7 other eBooks available to purchase like, smoothies, high fat low carb, high protein recipes, this could be a way to help explore and expand your diet.
-
What do I need to wear?Simply wear what you feel comfortable & supported in so that you can move unrestricted in. Rules of thumb: Can you sit down in it? Can you circle your arms? Do you feel stable & comfortable in your footwear? If it’s a yes to these then great. If we are training outside then it is advised to have footwear suitable for ground conditions.
-
What sports do you offer strength and conditioning for?Simply put, all of them. With years of experience within games and endurance sports, I understand the needs of these sports but the true skill, that can be transferred to all sports, is the ability to analyse the individuals strengths & weaknesses in relation to their chosen sports performance criteria. Then, I coach the individual to gain the best improvements via an appropriate sports specific strength and conditioning program.
-
Do you offer training plans?At Thrive, we provide strength and conditioning 1:2:1 sessions as well as programs for those already working to a structured training sports specific program/routine. These programs are designed around current training commitments and are separate from the 1:2:1 session normally for the client to complete themselves and checking back in at regular intervals for progressions/modifications. This normally works well alongside the 1:2:1 session.
-
How does this fit in with my current sport specific training?Strength and conditioning can be a completely separate session to your sports specific training, or you can add it into the same session. This completely depends on your intended goal and focus. This is discussed and worked out with the athlete in how to best gain the desired results.
-
Will S & C help reduce my injury risk?Yes, there is lots of research showing the benefits of S & C within sport. An individual that is stronger and better conditioned physically is less likely to get injured. Check out my blog on strength training and the benefits on running.
-
What is soft tissue therapy?Soft tissue therapy is the management, manipulation, and rehabilitation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments. Soft tissue therapy includes massage, it incorporates all types and modes of massage from sports to holistic but is not limited to just massage. As a result, it is far more versatile and beneficial as a soft tissue practitioner would be assessing all aspects of the individual’s life to ensure a tailored individual approach is taken for them. It could include looking at rehabilitation exercises, daily activity levels, social interactions and psychological health and other factors that influence health as a whole. For more detailed information, check out my blog for more information.
-
What do I need to wear to an appointment?Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing that is easy to roll up sleeves or legs if concerned about removing items of clothing. Please wear underwear and you will never be asked to take these off. The appointment will normally incorporate hands-on treatment but during the consultation the goals of the appointment will be discussed and how best to achieve those. The therapist will ensure your modesty is protected at all times and explain what, if any, clothing has to be removed and how to position yourself on the massage couch and cover yourself with the towel provided. If you are unhappy with taking of any clothing, soft tissue therapy can be performed through clothing. Throughout the appointment, if you are uncomfortable at any point, please make the therapist aware and the treatment will be modified to suit.
-
Can you treat those under 18 years old?Yes, we can treat individuals under the age of 18 but they legally need a parent or guardian present throughout the treatment and to sign the informed consent form.
-
I am injured, when is it appropriate to have treatment?This depends based on the injury and also the goal of the treatment. In most cases, the sooner the treatment is post injury, after the subacute phase of 6-48 hours, the greater the benefits gained. However, if the injury involves an area where the skin is broken (cut, burn or operation) then that is contraindicated with soft tissue therapy due to the risk of infection. If you are unsure, contact me for a free consultation call.
-
Who do you design training programs for?We design training programs for anyone, any age and any goal. The programs are totally bespoke to work around your goals, ability, available time, space and kit you have available to you. Simply contact Thrive to discuss the finer details.
-
What equipment do I need?Programs are built around what space and equipment you have to hand. The most effective program is one that you can easily do without the hassle and expense of buying kit. If you have kit, great we can incorporate it in. At most, we may ask you to buy some resistance bands (~£25-30).
-
How do we implement the program?Normally, we would have a free consultation to discuss if a training program is right for your goals. From there, we would schedule a chat in person (or over the phone) to discuss in more detail the fundamentals of the program and begin to build it.Following this, a detailed plan is created and is sent via email to the client. At this point, the client may want to do a 1:2:1 PT/ S&C session in person at the gym, mobile or online to go through any aspects concerning technique. If not, any questions can be sent via email, text or a call to help the client in achieving their goals.
Getting started is simple
1
Contact Serena via Email or Instagram to gain further information about 1:1 or group classes in North Bristol. She will happily answer any questions you may have about the classes prior to starting.
Email: thrive.sw.pilates@gmail.com
Instagram: thrive_sw_pilates
2
When you have decided to join group or 1:1 sessions with Serena, you will complete a New Client Information Form. This provides her with essential information about your current health, lifestyle, goals & motivators for engaging in pilates.
3
Start Pilates sessions
Attend the sessions and reap the benefits of Pilates!
PT Sessions
Pilates Sessions
Get your copy: Key things to consider when becoming more active and engaging in exercise
bottom of page