Recently I was invited to attend the grand opening of Pinnacle Wellness’ second studio at Caribbean Park. The Studio is the brainchild of Emma Stallworthy – half of dynamic duo Ben and Emma Stallworthy who own and manage Pinnacle Health Clubs.
With an ethos of promoting mind and body wellness through movement, and helping people realise the importance of making time for themselves is at the heart of Emma’s vision – and it definitely shows! As I entered the studio, I was handed a soothing (and delicious) Pukka herbal tea and felt very comfortable amongst the tranquil surrounds – complete with luscious greenery from hanging pots and timber finishes – while I filled out my health assessment. It was here that Emma opened up about the birth of Pinnacle Wellness.
“Before we even opened our first health club more than 10 year ago, we had a dream of one day building a multipurpose space where people could come to focus on their physical, mental and social wellbeing,” says Emma. “That’s why our first two Wellness studios are located within two of our gyms – Upwey and Caribbean Business Park”.
Despite this fact, both studios have a distinctly ‘boutique’ feel, once the door is closed, I quickly forget that I’m in a gym. Today Emma has planned an energizing Reformer Pilates taste-tester class followed by some soul enriching Yoga facilitated by another Pinnacle Wellness instructor, Georgia. At Pinnacle Wellness, Reformer classes are known as Reformer50 (due to being 50minutes long); they’re maxed at 12 people so that individual needs can be catered for. Despite being low impact, they’re an intense, full body-toning workout, I can assure you! In just this ‘taste-tester’ class, I’ve had my legs in straps, squeezed Pilates circles with my ankles, sat on top of a Pilates box and used hand straps to row, fly and pulse. By the end of the session, my abs, glutes, thighs, biceps and triceps are screaming (not for more, but with joy of course!).
If you’re after an energetic workout – this is the class for you! However, another great thing about Pinnacle Wellness Studios is they have classes for all abilities and moods. There’s beginner Reformer50, as well as mat Pilates, HIIT Pilates, Meditation and a range of Yoga styles from Slow Flow to Vinyasa and even Hot Yoga.
Thankfully, today’s Yoga class is of the Slow Flow variety. Instructor Georgia is kind, inclusive and knowledgeable. As well as guiding the class through the movements, she talks through the benefits of each and creates a tranquil and positive space to explore breath and body.
Once all the hard work is over, it’s time to relax and enjoy the Kombucha and guilt-free raw lemon, mint and caramel slices from Horribly Healthy that Emma had kindly arranged (note: if you haven’t tried the raw-some treats from Horribly Healthy – YOU HAVEN’T LIVED!). The gorgeous gift bag I was sent home with was just the cherry on top of another mind, body and soul enriching experience at Pinnacle Wellness.
Locations >
Pinnacle Wellness Upwey
82 Main Street, Upwey VIC 3158
phone: 9754 2181
Pinnacle Wellness Caribbean Park
44 Lakeview Drive, Scoresby VIC 3179
phone: 0447 687 907
