Arm Yourself: Build Upper Body Strength for the Advanced Pilates System

Arm Yourself: Build Upper Body Strength for the Advanced Pilates System

Introduction – Why This Workshop Matters

Do you ever feel your arms give out before the rest of your body is ready? Whether it’s in push-ups, overhead presses, or advanced Pilates transitions, the upper body often becomes the weak link. But in the classical Pilates system, the arms are your second powerhouse—a vital source of support, strength, and flow.

That’s why the Arm Yourself Workshop at Pi Studios is designed to target, train, and transform your upper body. With focused exercises across multiple pieces of apparatus, you’ll discover how building upper body strength helps you advance safely and powerfully through the Pilates system.

Event Overview – Date, Time & Location

📅 Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Pi Studios, Ransomes Dock, 35 Parkgate Rd, London SW11 4NP, United Kingdom

Set in the riverside home of Pi Studios, this 90-minute workshop is a chance to move, sweat, and learn in a supportive, inspiring environment led by Christos Niaros.

What is Arm Yourself?

The Arm Yourself Workshop focuses on strengthening and mobilizing the upper body—your “second powerhouse.” Through targeted exercises on the Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels, you’ll uncover how your arms, shoulders, and back play a central role in powering advanced movements.

This isn’t just about strength—it’s about precision, alignment, and progression. By training smart, you’ll find more support for the whole body, unlocking new potential for advanced work.

Why the Upper Body Matters in Pilates

While the core is Pilates’ primary powerhouse, the upper body is its essential partner. Strong arms and shoulders provide:

  • Support for inversions, push-throughs, and overhead movements.

  • Stability for advanced transitions and balance work.

  • Alignment that frees the spine and hips to move fully.

  • Progression into higher-level exercises with safety and confidence.

Without a strong upper body, the advanced system becomes harder—and riskier. This workshop shows you how to arm yourself for success.

What to Expect in the Workshop

In this 90-minute deep dive, you’ll:

  • Work through apparatus-specific exercises for upper body strength.

  • Learn how the arms integrate with the core for stability.

  • Build confidence for advanced transitions.

  • Explore ways to challenge your clients while keeping them safe.

From Support to Power

Strong arms don’t just lift—they connect. When the upper body supports the spine and pelvis, the whole system moves with ease. By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel how the arms transform from “helpers” into a true powerhouse that fuels the advanced work.

Teaching Toolkit Expansion

For teachers, this workshop provides:

  • Apparatus-based arm sequences you can add directly to your classes.

  • Cueing strategies to help clients connect arms to core.

  • Progressions and regressions for all levels.

  • A deeper understanding of how the upper body supports advanced work.

Your clients will leave stronger, more supported, and more capable—because of the tools you bring back from this session.

Unlocking Strength You Didn’t Know You Had

It’s easy to think of the arms as secondary in Pilates, but once activated, they unlock surprising power, stability, and flow. You’ll leave this workshop not only stronger in your arms and shoulders, but also more balanced and confident across the whole system.

Joseph Pilates’ Legacy

Joseph Pilates designed the method as a complete system, where every part of the body supports the whole. By spotlighting the upper body as a second powerhouse, this workshop stays true to his vision—helping movers train intelligently, progressively, and with purpose.

Pi Studios Signature Approach

At Pi Studios, tradition meets exploration. With clarity, connection, and play at the core of its teaching style, you’ll discover how even challenging arm-focused exercises can feel accessible, fun, and empowering.

Meet the Trainer: Christos Niaros

The workshop is led by Christos Niaros, a classically trained teacher who began his Pilates journey in 2010. He holds two comprehensive certifications, has trained with global masters, and was selected for the prestigious LEAP Masters Program led by Bob Liekens.

With studies in the Classical Syllabus®, Beyond the Syllabus®, and PPATT™, Christos is committed to teaching Pilates as it was meant to be—intelligent, precise, and transformative. His guidance will push you to new levels while keeping your practice safe, supported, and inspiring.

Workshop Details at a Glance

  • 📅 Date: Friday, December 12, 2025

  • ⏰ Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

  • 📍 Location: Pi Studios, Ransomes Dock, 35 Parkgate Rd, London SW11 4NP

  • 🎓 CPD Points: 2

  • 💷 Pricing: £160.00

  • 👤 Trainer: Christos Niaros

  • 🔗 Booking: Reserve your spot here

Who Should Attend

  • Pilates Teachers looking for new arm-focused progressions.

  • Dedicated Practitioners advancing their own practice.

  • Athletes & Movers wanting strength and balance.

  • Anyone Curious about building upper body power safely.

How to Prepare

  • Wear comfortable, fitted clothing.

  • Bring water and a towel.

  • Be ready to work hard and laugh hard—your arms will thank you!

Final Call to Action

Don’t let weak arms hold you back. The Arm Yourself Workshop is your chance to build the strength, precision, and confidence needed to progress safely through the advanced system.

👉 Book now to secure your place and experience Pilates at a whole new level.

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