Meet Lisa Hubbard — a globally respected Pilates educator whose decades of teaching have inspired thousands to move with balance, control, and confidence. Over the past 20+ years, she has become a prominent figure in the Pilates community, known for her unique, effective teaching style and innovative approach to movement. Her dedication to the art of Pilates has inspired countless practitioners around the globe, and she even calls Pilates her personal “fountain of youth” for how it enables her to stay vibrant and active in all aspects of life.
Now, Hubbard is bringing her passion and expertise to Almafit, joining forces with the premium Pilates equipment brand in a new collaboration aimed at elevating the Pilates experience for home users and studio enthusiasts alike.
In this strategic partnership, Hubbard’s visionary teaching merges with Almafit’s state-of-the-art reformers and Pilates apparatus. Almafit, known for its compact Aion and versatile Elysium series, crafts studio-quality Pilates machines that bring professional training into any space.
“We are deeply honored to collaborate with Lisa Hubbard, a visionary whose influence and expertise continue to shape the Pilates world” says Dionysis Keramidas, CEO of Almafit. “Her approach perfectly complements our philosophy — blending precision, grace, and accessibility — as we work together to elevate the standard of at-home and studio Pilates experiences.”
Lisa Hubbard’s Mission: Moving Through Life with Strength and Grace
For Lisa Hubbard, Pilates has always been more than a workout. It is a lifelong practice in mindful strength, balance, and control. After decades of teaching around the world, she continues to focus on helping people of all ages and backgrounds rediscover movement that feels intelligent, safe, and deeply restorative. Her philosophy centers on empowerment through precision and presence: training the body to move well, breathe fully, and build lasting strength. Lisa often describes Pilates as both mindful and practical, noting that it adapts to each stage of life.
This belief is what brought her into partnership with Almafit (https://alma-fit.com/). Together, they share a commitment to making professional-grade Pilates equipment and education accessible to everyone, from lifelong athletes to beginners. Their collaboration blends Lisa’s creative, teaching-driven approach with Almafit’s craftsmanship and innovation, uniting around a shared vision: helping people move with strength, grace, and longevity.
“I’ve been teaching Pilates for over two decades, and the Alma-Fit Elysium Tower Reformer is one of the most thoughtfully designed units I’ve ever used. The craftsmanship is excellent, and it’s ideal for both teaching and personal practice“. — Lisa Hubbard
The Lasting Benefits of Pilates
Pilates—built on core stability, flexibility, and control—offers a balanced, low-impact way to strengthen the body while supporting mobility and joint health. It encourages awareness over intensity, fostering movement that builds resilience rather than fatigue. Whether practiced on the mat or apparatus, Pilates develops strength from the inside out, improving posture, balance, and overall confidence in motion. For many, it becomes not just exercise but a foundation for healthy, active living throughout midlife and well into later years.
Here are some key benefits of Pilates for anyone looking to stay strong, healthy, and balanced:
- Gentle on Joints: Pilates is a low-impact, joint-friendly form of exercise. It strengthens the muscles around your joints for added support, rather than wearing down cartilage. “Pilates is gentle on the joints… it strengthens the muscles around them, so you feel more supported and confident with increased mobility,” Hubbard explains. This makes Pilates ideal for anyone managing joint pain or arthritis who worry about exercise aggravating their conditions.
- Core Strength & Stability: Pilates builds deep core muscles that support your spine and improve posture. A strong core acts like a natural corset, protecting the back and hips during everyday activities. By focusing on stability and alignment, Pilates helps practitioners develop strength safely without risking injury. When your core is strong and you move with purpose and control, you can build strength safely, without the fear of injury – a principle Hubbard emphasizes in her teaching.
- Better Balance & Mobility: Many people notice changes in balance and flexibility with age. Pilates directly addresses this by improving muscle control, coordination, and range of motion. Research shows that Pilates training can significantly improve balance and gait in older adults, helping reduce the risk of falls. The controlled, flowing movements in Pilates develop the balance of strength and flexibility needed for a full, fluid range of motion. The result is better stability in day-to-day tasks and more ease in your joints.
- Stronger Bones & Posture: Weight-bearing exercise is key to maintaining bone density as we age. Pilates apparatus like the reformer or tower use spring resistance as gentle “weights,” making them effective for bone health. In fact, one study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found that those who did Pilates three times a week increased their bone density, while those who didn’t exercise continued to lose bone mass. By strengthening the core and back muscles, Pilates also helps counteract age-related slouching, supporting an upright posture. This means fewer aches and a taller, more confident stance.
- Mind-Body Connections: Beyond the physical perks, Pilates offers mental and emotional benefits. The focus on breath and mindful movement can reduce stress, improve concentration, and even boost your mood. Many people find that a Pilates session leaves them feeling uplifted and resilient. Consistently practicing Pilates has been linked to improved memory and cognitive function in older adults, thanks to the increased neural focus and coordination involved. Perhaps most importantly, mastering new Pilates skills at midlife can rekindle a sense of confidence and empowerment that carries over into everyday life.
With all these benefits, Pilates truly serves as a foundation for healthy aging. It’s a fitness method that adapts with you over time, helping you stay strong, mobile, and independent as the years go by. As Hubbard and other experts often reassure: it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re 35 or 65, you can begin a Pilates practice and reap significant rewards in how you feel and move.
Safe, Low-Impact Exercises and Modifications
One common question is: what are some safe Pilates exercises to start with, especially if you’re dealing with pain or coming back to exercise after a break? The good news is that Pilates has a built-in philosophy of safety and progression. “Pilates meets you exactly where you are,” Hubbard says, meaning the practice can be modified to any fitness level or limitation. If you’ve stopped moving due to pain or injury, the first steps are to return to the fundamentals: breath, gentle positions, and supportive props. By focusing on proper breathing and small, pain-free movements, you can rebuild confidence one session at a time. Props like a pillow, resistance band, or even a sturdy chair can provide extra support until you gain strength.
Here are a few beginner-friendly, low-impact Pilates exercises to help you get started.
- Glute Bridges: Lying on your back with knees bent, lift your hips toward the ceiling. This exercise strengthens the glutes and hamstrings while gently mobilizing the lower back. Bridges build hip stability which can alleviate knee and back strain. (Tip: Press through your heels and squeeze your glutes at the top for maximum support.)
- Clamshells: Lying on your side with knees bent, open and close your top knee like a clamshell (keep your feet together). This small movement strengthens the outer hips and glutes without putting pressure on the joints. Clamshells help stabilize the pelvis and can relieve discomfort in the hips and lower back.
- Supported Squats: Using a chair or a reformer bar for light support, perform shallow squats. Keep your weight in your heels and only bend as far as comfortable. This builds leg strength (quads and glutes) with minimal knee stress. The support ensures proper form and confidence as you build strength without strain.
- Pelvic Tilts: Lying on your back, gently rock your pelvis to press your lower back into the floor, then release. This teaches core engagement and pelvic alignment while loosening tight lower back muscles. Pelvic tilts are a gentle way to wake up your abs and improve spinal mobility, perfect for those with stiffness or back pain.
All of these exercises can be done in a pain-free range of motion. Over time, they help strengthen supportive muscles so your joints feel more stable and comfortable. Remember, Pilates is well-known for being tailored to your body’s abilities – there is always a modification or an alternate exercise to suit your needs. In fact, if getting down on the floor is challenging, you can even start with chair Pilates, performing movements while seated. The key is consistent, mindful practice. Even these simple exercises, when done with good form, will build a foundation of strength and mobility.
Making Pilates Accessible – Anytime, Anywhere
Not everyone has the luxury of a fully equipped studio or hours to spare each day. That’s why a major focus of the Almafit & Lisa Hubbard partnership is making Pilates more accessible for people training at home and managing full schedules. Almafit’s reformers are uniquely designed to bring studio-grade workouts into your home without hassle. The equipment arrives nearly pre-assembled and is built with user-friendly features – for example, the reformer bed is set at a comfortable height to make getting on and off easier (a thoughtful touch for those with knee or hip sensitivities). The cushioning is high-density and shock-absorbent to protect your spine and joints during exercise, and the sturdy carriage and springs provide smooth, controlled resistance. In other words, the equipment adapts to you, rather than forcing your body to adapt to the equipment. This means practitioners can perform exercises without awkward bending or jarring impact.
Almafit also offers virtual training sessions and online resources to support your home practice. With guidance from Hubbard and Almafit’s team, you can learn proper form and progress safely through workouts right in your living room. For the many busy adults balancing work, family, and wellness, the ability to do a quality Pilates session in 15-20 minutes at home is a game-changer. “Pilates isn’t about long hours; it’s about consistent, focused movement,” says Hubbard – even a 20-minute routine a few times a week can be transformative. By having a reformer handy at home, you can squeeze in a session when your schedule allows, turning exercise from a daunting appointment into a convenient part of your daily rhythm. This flexibility is crucial for people juggling work, family, and self-care.
Pilates for Healthy Aging and Confidence
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Pilates is how it helps people age strong and with confidence. Unlike high-impact workouts that might feel unsustainable or risky over time, Pilates is truly a lifelong practice. “Low-impact doesn’t mean low results – it means longevity,” as one expert puts it. By committing to safe, low-impact practices like Pilates, midlife practitioners often find themselves stronger, more mobile, and more independent well into their later years. That lasting independence – being able to keep up with the activities you love, travel, play with grandchildren, and live without debilitating pain – is the ultimate gift Pilates can offer.
Emotionally and mentally, a regular Pilates practice can be just as empowering. It’s common to see a boost in confidence and mood as you progress in your abilities. Each session is an act of self-care and mastery, reinforcing the idea that your body is capable and resilient. People in their 40s, 50s, and beyond often share that Pilates makes them feel younger from the inside out – not in an unrealistic fountain-of-youth way, but in the sense of having energy, balance, and joy in movement. This mind-body connection cultivates resilience and optimism, which are invaluable for overall quality of life in midlife and beyond.
As Lisa Hubbard’s own journey shows, midlife can truly be a time of thriving. She has built a global career and personal wellness around Pilates, and she’s passionate about helping others discover the life-changing benefits of mindful, low-impact fitness. With the right guidance and support, you can absolutely stay fit, flexible, and fearless in your 50s, 60s, and for decades to come.
Embrace Your Journey with Almafit
Midlife is not a time to step back – it’s the perfect time to step into a healthier, more empowered version of yourself. Lisa Hubbard’s partnership with Almafit embodies this spirit of inclusive, mindful fitness. Whether you’re a seasoned Pilates devotee or brand new to the practice, you’re invited to join this movement. Explore Almafit’s offerings – from our beautifully crafted reformers to our library of expert-led workouts – and see how easily you can bring the studio experience into your home. With Lisa and the Almafit team as your allies, you’ll have expert guidance at every step, ensuring your Pilates journey is safe, rewarding, and tailored to you.
Ready to get started? Explore our Pilates reformer collection to find the right at-home equipment for your space and needs. And don’t forget to visit our blog for more tips on Pilates and healthy living. Remember, it’s never too late to invest in your well-being. With a bit of dedication and the right tools, you can build strength, balance, and confidence at any age. Here’s to embracing midlife as a launchpad for lifelong wellness – one mindful movement at a time!
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Pilates for Beginners at Home