My working life..

Aug 22 2008

Ben Brown, founder of Pilates Works

It was seven years ago when Ben Brown decided to make his living from Pilates.

At the time he was managing Edinburgh Academy sport centre and running after-school and holiday activity camps for kids.

Now he is the largest provider of Pilates instruction in Scotland running 30 classes a week across nine locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Clients range from complete beginners to athletes and footballers keen to top up their fitness levels.

He also has CEOs, MDs and top business executives who appreciate the benefits of the exercise. Brown said: "One leading business figure regularly flies in from international destinations at 9pm on a Friday night and appears without fail for his Pilates one to one on a Saturday morning.

"The Pilates sessions keep him mentally alert and help him cope more efficiently with the stress and strain of his demanding work life."

Currently Brown is working with business leaders and politicians on research into obesity levels in schoolchildren.

He is also a provider of NHS back care workshops around the country and is working on a similar project for the call centre industry. Rehabilitation is another area he is interested in.

He has clients who are wheelchair bound and one MS sufferer is astonished at the difference regular Pilates has made to her fitness, balance, posture and even bladder control.

He said: "Regardless of the level being worked at, exercise improves the way people feel about themselves.

"Couple this with increased fitness, strength and flexibility and the result is vastly improved quality of life."

He practices what he preaches. In his leisure time he can often be found keeping his six pack in trim by working out on specialist Pilates equipment.