What makes QLF unique from other studios and fitness programs?

QLF offers a PRIVATE, studio environment fully equipped with high-end Pilates apparatus and fitness equipment.   There is no waiting, no stares, dirty equipment or obnoxious music (Denise has a Bose speaker adaptor if you choose to bring your ipod).  Every minute will be fully maximized and focused on YOU.  QLF customizes workouts based on your individual goals.  Denise is certified through the most distinguished organizations in the Pilates and Personal Fitness training industries, including Body Arts and Sciences International, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Council on Exercise.  Therefore, you will be benefiting from the latest advances and most effective instruction available.  In addition to Denise’s advanced level business education, she worked 10 years in various corporate environments including Allergan, EMC, IBM, and T-Mobile.  She leverages this knowledge on a daily basis and operates her practice like a professional organization.  Each client’s time is valued and respected and is treated with the highest level of professionalism. Customer service is paramount, which is why QLF’s established clients are 90% referrals.

When will I notice results?

Everyone’s body responds differently to exercise. You will see an improvement in strength, flexibility, energy levels, and even self-esteem within the first few weeks. Balanced nutrition and mindful eating is also a key factor in experiencing results.  If your goal is weight loss we will discuss your eating habits and activities you are doing outside of your scheduled sessions.  QLF advocates a “Live-It” approach to attaining a healthy physique as opposed to a “Die-It.”  This philosophy focuses on a creating positive, mindset and healthy lifestyle that you will maintain beyond weight loss.  

Why don’t you offer meal planning?

Denise will be happy to discuss your nutritional habits and make recommendations, however, only a Registered Dietician or Certified Nutritionist is qualified to develop a customized meal plan.  These individuals invest years attaining an advanced level education and have access to the latest meal planning technology and tracking devices.  If you would like detailed meal planning, QLF works with an excellent nutritionist and registered dietician who can develop an eating program to ensure you get the nutritional requirements met with foods you enjoy.

Denise has personal experience overcoming an eating disorder and negative body image and has helped a number of clients by connecting them with the best support resources.  She has a huge passion working with individuals who are in recovery.  Watching a client build strength and confidence through fitness training is Denise’s greatest privilege.

What are the benefits of strength/circuit training?

Increased Metabolic Rate - Strength training increases the body's metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories throughout the day.
Increasing and Restoring Bone Density - Inactivity and aging can lead to a decrease in bone density and brittleness. Studies have clearly proven that consistent strength training can increase bone density and prevent Osteoporosis.
Increased Lean Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength, Power, and Endurance - Everyone can benefit from being stronger. We can work harder, we can play more, we can exercise longer, and we can be more alive.
Injury Prevention - A wide variety of sports-related or life-related injuries can be prevented by strengthening muscles and joints.
Improved Balance, Flexibility, Mobility and Stability - Stronger and more resilient muscles improves our balance, which means more comfortable living & fewer falls or accidents.
Decreased Risk of Coronary Disease - Participation in a consistent strength-training program has a wide variety of affiliated health benefits including decreasing cholesterol and lowering your blood pressure.
Aids Rehabilitation and Recovery - One of the best ways to heal many types of injuries is to strengthen muscles surrounding the injured area. The stronger your muscles, the quicker the healing process.
Aging Gracefully - There is no more important reason to making a strength training a consistent part of your life, than to ensure you age gracefully. Physical activity keeps us alive and vibrant. Strength training ensures we are strong enough to participate in aerobic activities, outdoor recreation, and sports. Strong seniors fall down less. If they do fall down, their stronger bodies are more resilient, are injured less by the fall, and are able to heal more quickly after an injury.
Feeling Better and Looking Better - As difficult as it may be to get yourself motivated, there is nothing more satisfying than the feeling after a good work-out. Stronger muscles and joints can have a dramatic impact on posture and leaner toned muscles tend to make everyone feel better about their appearance. This all leads to improved self-esteem and increased self-confidence.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a form of exercise that was originally develop by Joseph Pilates at the beginning of the 1920's. He originally coins this form of exercise Contrology because you actually use your mind and your awareness to control the movements of your body. He developed this form of exercise based on his work in Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Yoga and other types of Resistance Training. And the key points of Pilates is the use of your core and to develop your core awareness to stabilize you or to move you through various exercises. Some of the other components of Pilates that you'll find helpful and beneficial during Pilates instruction are breathing, the awareness of your center, the ability to move fluidly between movements and the ability to create precise movement. And all these coming together, actually creates the system that we know today as Pilates.  Denise is a certified Pilates Instructor through the prestigious Body Arts & Sciences (BASI). Her Pilates sessions include the use of mat, reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Step Barrel apparatus in a one on one, private setting. She offers private or duet/partner Pilates sessions.

What is Pilates-Infused Fitness?

This concept is very unique to QLF as many studios do not have the capability to combine Pilates exercises and traditional/functional training in the same session.  In addition to offering traditional Pilates instruction, QLF has expanded beyond these parameters to create very unique, dynamic sessions that appeal to the client who enjoys training hard and seeing the results that go with this type of training.  By taking the best of Pilates, and combining it with traditional core and strength training principles, Denise creates unique conditioning programs that meet a wide range of fitness goals.   During your session you may find yourself performing movements on a Pilates reformer following a set of shoulder exercises on a stability ball or squats on a BOSU.  The variety of options are countless in a QLF’s private, no wait setting.

What is the difference between Mat Pilates and Pilates Apparatus?

Mat-based classes focus on the development of core stabilizers and joint mobilization without the use of resistance. Students learn to support the body against gravity in various positions, to reduce tension, improve body awareness and gain total-body control. Mat-work is a component of the large body of work that comprises Pilates and is effective in improving posture, core strength and body awareness as it relates to daily life.
Pilates apparatus (i.e.; reformer) adds the element of external resistance and provides feedback on your body's alignment and imbalance. Total-body stability, mobility and alignment are challenged, with a greater variety of exercises, so muscular imbalances are corrected more effectively. The work is challenging but adaptive and is appropriate for a wide variety of needs.