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06
May
Pilates and a pint: Harrogate brewery hosts new classes for men only
A new course of classes to help men improve their core strength and flexibility is to begin next week – in a brewery.
Local instructor Yvonne Stewart believes her programme of men’s pilates classes, which will be held at Rooster’s Brewing Company on Hornbeam Park in Harrogate, is the first of its kind in the area.
She designed the programme, called Cask & Core, to challenge the perception of pilates as a female-dominated pastime, where classes – and marketing – are often geared towards women, despite growing interest among men.
Yvonne said:
Pilates offers huge benefits for men, helping build core strength, flexibility and supporting performance across other sports. But men often feel excluded or out of place in classes that are predominantly female and typically marketed that way.
I wanted to create a space where men feel comfortable and properly catered for, both in the class experience and how it’s presented.
Pilates is a form of exercise originally developed by Joseph Pilates of Germany in the early 20th century. It is increasingly used by athletes as part of broader strength and conditioning programmes.
Yvonne was inspired to launch the classes after her husband, Jonathan, turned to pilates following a running injury, but was the only man in the room. His experience is far from unusual, and many men report that they feel out of place or hesitant to attend sessions that are predominantly female and marketed as such.
Yvonne's husband Jonathan found pilates useful following a running injury.
Kate Stevens, marketing manager for Rooster’s, said:
It is a brilliant initiative, and one that’s already sparked a lot of interest among our own team.
Creating opportunities for people to come together, try something new, and focus on their wellbeing is something that we’re passionate about.
We’re proud to provide a space where everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and part of a supportive community. Whether that’s for a great beer, a great workout, or both.
Cask & Core will debut in the Sample Room at Rooster’s Brewing Company at 5.30pm on Tuesday, May 12, and the first session will be free to attend.
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