Is hot Pilates the perfect winter fitness fix? Our Fitness and wellbeing editor investigates

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. I was curious to see if hot Pilates would offer the same benefits as hot yoga and if a heated studio could make any difference to my skill level. “Since hot Pilates is new, there is no research on this area so it’s important to make sure that you hydrate well before and after.” explains Helen O’Leary, physiotherapist and clinical director at Complete Pilates. I’d been assured that the heated studio would be safe to exercise in and having had plenty of prior experience with hot yoga and no health issues, I wasn’t especially concerned with whether hot Pilates would be safe or not. Drink water and cool off with wet towels, and seek medical attention if you still feel unwell.” With a slightly faster pace than hot yoga, my Pilates session also incorporated hand weights, breathing exercises and pulses which combined with the heat in the room made for a class that would test most people who consider themselves to be physically fit.