Strong Pilates utilises specialised equipment like the Rowformer and Bikeformer, hybrids between a reformer bed and a rowing machine or spin bike (All photos: Shahrill Basri/ The Edge)
If your perception of pilates is limited to the image of slender, willowy figures — clad head to toe in Lululemon or alo — gracefully flowing through effortless yoga-esque movements, prepare to have your assumptions sorely challenged by Strong Pilates.
While the classic practice may not offer the kind of muscle exertion gym rats actively seek out or the high heart rate numbers beloved by cardio bunnies, a good pilates routine can not only help you build strength and flexibility, but also improve muscle tone and speed up recovery.
That said, one of Australia’s fastest growing fitness franchises, Strong, has developed a unique approach that reaps the benefits of all three — in just 45 minutes.
Their workouts are “pilates infused and cardio inspired”, utilising specialised equipment like the Rowformer — a hybrid between the reformer bed and rowing machine — and Bikeformer to combine resistance training with heart-pumping cardio within a pilates-based framework. This aims to provide a full-body, low-impact yet high-intensity workout in a relatively short time.
Steve Ang and Winnie Ng were regular attendees of Strong when they lived in Melbourne. Ng, who became a certified pilates instructor during Covid-19 (with Ang as her “student”) enjoyed being challenged beyond her regular syllabus and was a big fan of how inclusive Strong’s practice is.
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“With regular pilates, we focus a lot on technique and form and do so very carefully. But Strong has designed their programmes such that anybody can pick it up,” she says. Classic moves, from the foundational cherry picker to the more advanced teaser, are reimagined to ensure even those new to fitness can effectively cultivate powerful core strength and activate those micro muscles.
Post-Covid, the couple decided to move back to Malaysia so their young children could grow up with their grandparents. Unfamiliar with the local property market, Ang, previously a real-estate agent, was keen to dabble in health and fitness, since it was such a big part of their lives.
They explored different opportunities and made contact with the founders of Strong. Michael Ramsey and Mark Armstrong were executing an aggressive global expansion plan, and emerging markets like Malaysia posed as a good opportunity. Armstrong flew into the country and noticed how similar the lifestyle and environment was compared to Singapore, where they opened four locations in two years. He was confident Strong would do well here, if not better.
Ang and Ng officially opened the country’s first Strong Pilates in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur in March and are chuffed to say it is one of the earliest studios in the world furnished with the brand’s latest equipment. Their Rowformer includes Strong’s new reverse spring system, which allows members to perform exercises like squats and deadlifts under substantial load. “When combined, they create about 40kg of resistance,” Ng notes.
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“Our programmes change every four weeks and we actually gradually level you up as you become stronger. They are designed by HQ in Australia and tested in their labs by professionals who analyse everything. Our instructors study them for our classes,” she continues. There are currently eight instructors at Strong, all of whom were required to go through intensive training and assessments to qualify.
Part of their training included adopting certain phrases to use in class. For example, modifications for “a little more” or “a little less” are given to adjust intensity and all studios worldwide indicate direction using features in the room. Instead of left and right, you are instructed to face the Strong wall, tall mirrors, short mirrors or reception wall. These offer a sense of familiarity and uniformity, especially for members who frequent different studios.
By the way, the 45-minute classes have zero breaks. At 30 seconds, the instructor will inform you of the next exercise, followed by a reminder at 15 seconds. Then, everyone switches to the next move after the 3, 2, 1 countdown. It keeps you constantly engaged and certainly leaves no room to wonder where to go for lunch after.
Having the classes in a group setting allows members who are competitive and goal-oriented to thrive too as the instructors will often suggest what speed to maintain when on the rower or bike. There is no greater motivation than peeking at your neighbours’ screens and wanting to beat their numbers.
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Sounds tough? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, the couple insists. “We want to be inclusive. Whether you’re 16 or 80, you can still come to Strong. We have options available for all fitness levels. What we’re seeing right now is people are intimidated by the machines, but when they start doing it, they realise it’s not as daunting as they made it out to be,” says Ang, adding there are those in their sixties or seventies joining their classes. “They are very strong, though!”
The pair is working on opening a cafe on the mezzanine floor in the coming months to serve “good, proper coffee like in Melbourne”. It will be a place where the Strong community can gather and socialise.
“I’m also planning to do a play area in the corner, so children and carers looking after kids can have a place to hang out for 45 minutes,” Ng shares.
“The majority of our studios in Australia have that. It’s like a child-minding area where the care worker comes in to look after your child during peak hours. We will try to have that here as well, but it’s going to take some time to get there,” Ang adds.
An expansion plan is also in place. He reveals the next studio will most likely be in Subang or Petaling Jaya. There is also demand for KLCC. Outside the Klang Valley, there is interest in Melaka and Seremban as well.
“We want to create a place where kindness and togetherness exist. There’s no judgement. We’re all here to work out and take care of ourselves,” Ng concludes. “In the end, we all just want to live well and happily.”
Strong Pilates is located at 3, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, KL.
