With a herniated disc in her back and constant kidney issues,Jill Gilbert Lucas knew the best option was to return to yoga.
She had participated in yoga for years but with a new job andbusy hours she had a hard time making room to attend regularclasses.
“I decided to quit my job and open my own yoga and pilatesstudio with several partners. We opened the first studio in theKingwood area in the Vitamins and More shop near the front ofKingwood,” Lucas, who has now trained for 12 years, said.
From there the studio has continued to grow and has had to movetwice, once to a studio on Stonehollow Drive and now off ofWoodland Hills Drive in Kingwood. The studio is now known as GulfCoast Pilates.
Lucas also helped launch the pilates program at the KingwoodAthletic Club, which has since closed.
Lucas was recently featured on the Live Well Network “MirrorMirror” television show for the many programs she offers from matpilates to a new workout called piloxing.
“Pilates is my true passion. It has been a long haul to getwhere I am at, but it is worth it. Gulf Coast Pilates is set updifferently than other studios in that customers do not have tosign a contract,” Lucas said. “They buy time which they redeem forclasses or whatever they want. It holds them accountable; I am hereevery day and most of the time.”
For the new studio, she and her partners had to tear out 27walls and gut the building, so it is now a much larger space thanher previous studio.
The reformer pilates machines are set up in one of the rooms andthe other side is where the guests can go through differentexercises in mat pilates, the exo chair and hot yoga.
In addition to the programs she offers, Lucas is also certifiedwith the Pink Ribbon Program as a breast cancer survivor trainer inpilates. Since the women who undergo mastectomies or go throughchemotherapy need to change their workout, she can help them getback into a routine and avoid injury.
There are only four trainers in the Houston area certified withthe Pink Ribbon Program.
“The paycheck for me is when a client leaves a pilates classfeeling significantly better. In pilates, we focus on nineprincipals which I have illustrated throughout the studio to focuson the control and core strength we are working with in pilates,”Lucas said.
Gulf Coast Pilates also offers a new fitness trend, piloxing,which combines pilates, dancing and boxing through intervalworkouts.
Lucas first saw piloxing during a conference in Los Angeles andparticipated in one of the classes which was a complete workout.Since it includes the boxing and cardio with pilates, it is acomplete body workout and helps burn calories while continuing thestrengthening qualities of pilates.
“Piloxing was first created in Sweden to empower women. I wantedto bring this class to Gulf Coast Pilates because even in boxing,form is important like in dance and pilates. Plus, it will changeup things around the studio,” Lucas said.
She has also worked with traumatic brain injury patients whobenefit from the strengthening exercises with pilates.
Whether it is mat or reformer pilates or piloxing, the classesare set for clients of all ages and fitness levels. Clients canwork to their highest level and anyone is welcome to join in theclasses.
“There is not one day I regret coming to work; it is a blessingfor me,” Lucas said.
Gulf Coast Pilates is located at 3055 Woodland Hills Drive inKingwood.