Niseko is known for offering some of the best powder on the planet, attracting both die hard powder hounds and first time ski bunnies from far and wide. But skiing all day can leave your body a little worse for the wear. Whether you’re looking to up your fitness game; are nursing a prior injury or are looking to avoid further damage, we have found the perfect solution right in the heart of this in-vogue ski town: Focus Physio.
Focus Physio offers Pilates classes, ski conditioning, physiotherapy and sports massages in the heart of Hirafu Village. The studio is owned by Focus Movement, the largest integrated Pilates and physiotherapy studio in Singapore and Southeast Asia, so you know you’re in good hands. Focus Physio specialises in treating aches and pains acquired on the slopes as well as preventing further injuries.
The studio is located on the ground floor of The Maples Niseko condominium hotel, ideally positioned right on the Ace family run and just moments from the Grand Hirafu Gondola. During our latest excursion to Niseko, our team was lucky enough to try out a Pilates class at Focus Physio.
For our introductory class, one of our team had a sore back and another one was starting to feel the hours spent on the ski hill on her knees. Luckily, Focus Physio specialises in getting guests ready for the slopes and offers ski conditioning classes in the mornings, where the studio’s Pilates instructors prep you for a day of skiing or snowboarding. This custom class for skiers and snowboarders is ideal for minimising injuries on the slopes.
If, like me, you’re heading to Niseko while pregnant, I’m also happy to report that Focus Physio offers prenatal Pilates classes. This is great news as many of the other activities offered in Niseko – from skiing to snowboarding and snowmobiling – are not the best fit for mums to be.
We were all Pilates newbies and our instructor Daniel, the owner of Focus Physio, was beyond patient. He adjusted the springs and postures according to our individual needs and fitness level. We all felt safe practicing and the class offered the perfect balance between a physical workout and gentle introduction into a new sport.
Also, training with views looking out to Mount Yotei doesn’t exactly hurt either!
Pilates is a great way to build up muscle strength and to tone your body. This will also help increase flexibility and to improve your posture – what’s not to love? Classes at Focus Physio are reformer classes which make use of special equipment known as the reformer and tower, with adjustable springs both assisting and resisting your movements.
Focus Physio offers two types of group Pilates classes:
- Express Pre-Slope Conditioning Classes – 45 minutes
These classes will get your muscles ready for a day spent on the slopes. Exercises on the Pilates reformer and tower will get you all warmed up and help prevent injuries on the ski hill.
- Reformer / Tower Classes – 60 minutes
A full-length class offering a great whole body workout on the reformer and tower.
If you prefer to train in private, Focus Physio also offers private 60-minute Pilates classes which will allow you some one on one time with your instructor, with the class customised to fit your individual needs.
A visit (or five) to Focus Physio is the perfect way to prep yourself before hitting the slopes – or to nurse your body back to health after an injury. For guests staying in our Niseko chalets, you can book a class at Focus Physio with our concierge team.
