People often ask me why I started my online Pilates studio.

The answer actually goes back to two very different periods in my life.

The first was during Covid.

Like many other instructors, I suddenly found myself unable to teach classes in person.

For more than 20 years I had been teaching Pilates, exercise classes, and helping people move better through physiotherapy.

Then overnight, everything changed.

At that point, I wasn't particularly comfortable with technology.

 I didn't even have an Instagram account. Apart from Facebook, where I kept in touch with friends, social media wasn't really part of my life.

But I could see something happening.

People were walking more, many had started running, and that was fantastic. Walking and running are wonderful forms of exercise.

But I also knew from my work as a physiotherapist that as we get older, strength training becomes increasingly important.

Without regular strength and mobility training, many people gradually lose muscle mass, balance, mobility, and physical confidence.

I knew that if people couldn't come to classes, I needed to find another way to help.

So I picked up a camera and started filming.

My first workouts were simple. Some were uploaded to YouTube for free, and my goal was simply to help people keep moving, stay strong, and look after their bodies during a difficult time.

Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

But the truth is that the idea behind my online studio started long before Covid.

Many years ago, when my children were young, I found myself in a situation that many parents will recognise.

Getting out of the house to exercise wasn't easy.

Living abroad and without the support network I had grown up with, finding time to attend classes felt almost impossible.

At that time, I found three online workouts.

Nothing fancy.

Just three workouts that I rotated every other day.

They were around 30 minutes long, which felt manageable even with children crawling around me.

And those workouts became a lifeline.

They helped me reconnect with my body.

They helped me feel stronger.

They helped me feel like myself again.

Eventually they gave me the confidence and strength to start running again and become more active. Most importantly, they reminded me how much better life feels when your body feels capable and strong.

That experience has stayed with me ever since.

When I eventually created FysioPilates by Astrid, I wanted to build the type of studio that I wished I had access to during those years.

A studio that understands real life.

Because real life is busy.

Sometimes you have 45 minutes to exercise.

Sometimes you have 10.

And both matter.

That's why you'll find workouts of different lengths inside the studio. A short workout is not a lesser workout. Sometimes 10 or 15 minutes is exactly what your body needs.

Another thing that has always been important to me is levels.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when exercising at home is choosing workouts that are simply too difficult.

It doesn't feel good.

It doesn't feel successful.

And often it becomes discouraging.

As a physiotherapist and Pilates instructor, I've always taught different levels because I know how important it is to feel challenged without feeling overwhelmed.

The right level builds confidence.

Confidence builds consistency.

And consistency creates results.

I've also designed the studio with different focus areas because we all have different needs.

Some people want to improve core strength.

Others want stronger hips.

Some need help with posture, balance, mobility, shoulder strength, or simply moving with greater ease.

When we focus on what our body needs most, training becomes more effective and results often come quicker.

Today, my primary focus is helping adults over 40.

Not because we suddenly become old at 40.

Far from it.

But because our bodies do start changing.

Recovery changes.

Strength becomes more important.

Balance becomes more important.

Mobility becomes more important.

And the way we train often needs to evolve too.

That is why you'll find a strong focus throughout my studio on:

• Core strength
• Balance
• Hip and pelvic strength
• Posture and upper body strength
• Mobility and movement quality
• Functional strength for everyday life

These are the areas I see making the biggest difference for the people I work with every day.

My goal has never been to create hundreds of random workouts.

My goal is to help you understand what your body needs, strengthen the areas that matter most, and help you stay active, capable, and confident for many years to come.

Thank you for being here and for allowing me to be part of your movement journey.

Want to Train Smarter After 40?

If you're over 40 and want to get more from your exercise without spending more hours training, I've created a free guide:

10 Smart Tips to Move Better, Feel Stronger, and Get More From Your Training After 40.

Inside, you'll learn practical strategies that can improve function, help reduce aches and pains, and make your workouts more effective.

Follow the link HERE to get instant access and start using the tips today.

You might be surprised how much difference a few small changes can make.

Astrid