Q. What is Callanetics?
A. Callanetics is a non-impact exercise programme developed by Callan Pinckney which uses small, tiny, precise movements (pulses) to shape the body and produce visible results fast.

Q. How long do you have to do the exercises before you notice results?
A Most students can feel a difference in their bodies after their first class. Most students can actually see a difference after their second class.

Q. How long has the Callanetics programme been around?
A. Callan has been teaching her programme privately for 30 years. Her first book was published almost 16 years ago and her first video was released shortly after that. Certified classes have been available for just under 10 years.

Q. We heard that the Callanetics exercises are good for people with bad backs and problem joints. Why is this so?
A. Several reasons:

l. The Callanetics programme is completely non-impact so there are no movements that jar the spine or any other joint for that matter.

2. While performing the exercises the body is in a safe comfortable position with the pelvic floor engaged, the back is in a safe comfortable position.

3. The Callanetics exercises strengthens the deep postural muscles that support the spine as well as stretching and relaxing the muscles through the entire hip, back and shoulder areas. This strengthening and relaxing helps to keep the body in healthy, pain free alignment.

Q. Is Callanetics the same as callisthenics?
A. No. Callisthenics are the more traditional exercise, like leg lifts and sit ups. In the Callanetics exercise programme the idea is to contract each muscle group to the maximum and then contract it more as opposed to releasing the contraction as in callisthenics.

Q. Should overweight people lose weight before starting the Callanetics programme?
A. No! In fact because the Callanetics programme gets such quick results every pound you lose will look like two. Some women lose 2-3 dress sizes without losing a pound!

Q. Is the Callanetics programme expensive?
A. Because Callanetics classes only real competition is plastic surgery the exercises are fairly inexpensive. In just a few short weeks you can get the results that would take you months of membership at an average health club.

Q. How often do I need to take classes?
A. Twice a week will give you rapid results. Less often works more slowly.

Q. Can elderly people do this? Could I bring my mother?
A. Yes! Callanetics exercises make elderly people less elderly.

Q. What do I wear?
A. Preferably a swimsuit or a leotard. I need to see your body shape to make sure you are in the correct position and the muscles are working as they should be in Callanetics.