Joseph Pilates never had a sex change. While it remains a popular misconception that Pilates is primarily for women, its inventor was, in fact, a man. Not any Joe Schmo either, Pilates was a boxer, a circus performer and a self-defense trainer. He could’ve probably kicked most of our asses. Thankfully, his boxing opponent’s butts were the only ones he wanted to kick in the literal sense. His Pilates students? Theirs only got kicked in the anaerobic sense. And so can yours–in a good way. Not by its inventor, mind you (Pilates passed away in 1967), but by any number of his living disciples. Denver’s own Cher Aslor, of Capital Hill’s pH7 Pilates, is among them.
Aslor is a gem. Joseph Pilates is likely smiling down on her from above. Aslor wasn’t always a Pilates student, though. Dance was her first love. Ballet, jazz and modern classes occupied her adolescence. After majoring in movement at CU Boulder, Aslor scored a scholarship to Tremaine Dance Center in LA. Gigs in music videos and even an Austin Powers flick followed. Once her girlfriend Gin introduced her to Pilates, though, she was sold. LA’s Whole Body eventually facilitated her certification. As Angel City was already guru-saturated, Aslor returned to the Mile High Club to open a studio of her very own. Glendale was pH7’s original home; the storefront location on Cap Hill opened its doors about two and a half years ago.
Pilates reeducates your body to work in the most efficient way possible. It’s basically yoga meets weight training and it benefits everyone, not just women, asserts Aslor.
PH7 is a fully-equipped studio, offering both foundation-building mat classes and next level reformer ones (on the machines), as well as yoga.
Joseph Pilates used to say, “ten sessions to feel better, twenty to look better and thirty for a brand new body.” I generally recommend three private lessons before jumping into a class. It helps you get to know the exercises in a safe environment and we get to know your issues and your body.