News
Pilates classes with local Gosport instructor at Royal Haslar
2nd August 2025All the right moves:
new twice-weekly pilates classes with local Gosport instructor Tracy Slade now hosted at Royal Haslar
Flexibility, strength, bone health, balance, pain management and mindfulness: these are just a few of the benefits of regularly practising pilates. While its celebrity devotees are legion – they famously include Jennifer Aniston, David Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Cleese, Lady Gaga and Ian McKellen - pilates offers a low-impact workout suitable for all ages and fitness levels, improving muscle strength and posture, while deepening breathwork and centering the mind.
Since the start of July, a dedicated room within Trinity House’s magnificent flexible lower-ground communal spaces has been hosting twice-weekly hour-long pilates classes, with expert instructor and founder of Gosport Pilates Tracy Slade, open to both Royal Haslar residents and members of the local community.
Next to new café ‘Coffee Quarters’, the private, historic, high-ceilinged and light-filled space has recently been restored and refurbished, its huge sash windows, dark wooden floorboards and heritage-green walls providing the perfect backdrop to pilates practice.
Tracy, originally from Stirling, and who moved to Gosport in 2006 with family members connected to the Royal Navy, qualified as a pilates instructor with the worldwide Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute, in matwork (beginners to advanced) in 2023. She regularly updates her training credentials, undertaking specialist training in “Kids and Teens, “Menopause” and “Healthy Hips”, and has taught in various venues across the Gosport area – and leaped at the chance to teach at Royal Haslar when the opportunity arose.
“As a keen runner, one of my favourite routes would take me past Royal Haslar, and I had always thought how beautiful and peaceful it seemed,” Tracy says. “Long-distance running and marathons put a strain on your body, and I have never liked being in a gym, so about seven years ago I started taking pilates classes. I was instantly hooked – the movements made me feel much stronger, and helped with any running injuries. I left my job as a receptionist to teach full time as soon as I was qualified, and now have students from every age range and background – a complete beginner in one of my classes is 88!”
With proven benefits of pilates including strengthening core muscles, which supports posture and stability, improving balance, body awareness and the ability to stretch and reach, while reducing joint and back pain, Tracy’s new classes in Trinity House are proving popular. With up to eight students, classes are held on Wednesdays 10am-11am and Fridays 9.30am-10.30am, with pay as you go pricing (£7.50 per class for Royal Haslar residents and £10 for non-residents); mats and any necessary equipment are provided.
Tracy reassures new starters that terms such as “Leg Circles”, “Spine Stretch”, “Arm Opener” and “Roll Up” needn’t be daunting. “Whenever a complete beginner joins my class, I explain that pilates is simply a series of gentle movements, and that I’ll tailor them to any ability. Slight aches after a class will be a normal part of using your body in a new and different way. All you need to bring is yourself, in comfortable, not too loose clothing.”
As getting down and up from a mat might prove challenging for some class members, Tracy is hoping to be able to offer chair classes at Royal Haslar soon, too, and to those in wheelchairs. “Everyone, however, will be able to work on strengthening wrists and ankles, to help prevent injuries from falls, and to improve self-sufficiency in the home,” Tracy says. “Low lighting and soft music create a relaxing environment for the classes, and the sessions end with a focus on breathing, which is a nice way to introduce some mindfulness.”
While Tracy still takes her running route past Royal Haslar, she has now had a chance to explore the grounds and interiors, too. “It’s wonderful to be able to actually hold classes here now – and it’s convinced me that when the time comes, it’s where I’ll be retiring, too.”
To book a pilates session, call, text or WhatsApp message Tracy on 07814 965817, or contact her via her social media at www.instagram.com/gosportpilates/ and https://www.facebook.com/gosportpilates/?locale=en_GB. For further information and weekly schedules of other activities in Royal Haslar’s communal spaces, visit www.royalhaslar.com/events/
Since the start of July, a dedicated room within Trinity House’s magnificent flexible lower-ground communal spaces has been hosting twice-weekly hour-long pilates classes, with expert instructor and founder of Gosport Pilates Tracy Slade, open to both Royal Haslar residents and members of the local community.
Next to new café ‘Coffee Quarters’, the private, historic, high-ceilinged and light-filled space has recently been restored and refurbished, its huge sash windows, dark wooden floorboards and heritage-green walls providing the perfect backdrop to pilates practice.
Tracy, originally from Stirling, and who moved to Gosport in 2006 with family members connected to the Royal Navy, qualified as a pilates instructor with the worldwide Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute, in matwork (beginners to advanced) in 2023. She regularly updates her training credentials, undertaking specialist training in “Kids and Teens, “Menopause” and “Healthy Hips”, and has taught in various venues across the Gosport area – and leaped at the chance to teach at Royal Haslar when the opportunity arose.
“As a keen runner, one of my favourite routes would take me past Royal Haslar, and I had always thought how beautiful and peaceful it seemed,” Tracy says. “Long-distance running and marathons put a strain on your body, and I have never liked being in a gym, so about seven years ago I started taking pilates classes. I was instantly hooked – the movements made me feel much stronger, and helped with any running injuries. I left my job as a receptionist to teach full time as soon as I was qualified, and now have students from every age range and background – a complete beginner in one of my classes is 88!”
With proven benefits of pilates including strengthening core muscles, which supports posture and stability, improving balance, body awareness and the ability to stretch and reach, while reducing joint and back pain, Tracy’s new classes in Trinity House are proving popular. With up to eight students, classes are held on Wednesdays 10am-11am and Fridays 9.30am-10.30am, with pay as you go pricing (£7.50 per class for Royal Haslar residents and £10 for non-residents); mats and any necessary equipment are provided.
Tracy reassures new starters that terms such as “Leg Circles”, “Spine Stretch”, “Arm Opener” and “Roll Up” needn’t be daunting. “Whenever a complete beginner joins my class, I explain that pilates is simply a series of gentle movements, and that I’ll tailor them to any ability. Slight aches after a class will be a normal part of using your body in a new and different way. All you need to bring is yourself, in comfortable, not too loose clothing.”
As getting down and up from a mat might prove challenging for some class members, Tracy is hoping to be able to offer chair classes at Royal Haslar soon, too, and to those in wheelchairs. “Everyone, however, will be able to work on strengthening wrists and ankles, to help prevent injuries from falls, and to improve self-sufficiency in the home,” Tracy says. “Low lighting and soft music create a relaxing environment for the classes, and the sessions end with a focus on breathing, which is a nice way to introduce some mindfulness.”
While Tracy still takes her running route past Royal Haslar, she has now had a chance to explore the grounds and interiors, too. “It’s wonderful to be able to actually hold classes here now – and it’s convinced me that when the time comes, it’s where I’ll be retiring, too.”
To book a pilates session, call, text or WhatsApp message Tracy on 07814 965817, or contact her via her social media at www.instagram.com/gosportpilates/ and https://www.facebook.com/gosportpilates/?locale=en_GB. For further information and weekly schedules of other activities in Royal Haslar’s communal spaces, visit www.royalhaslar.com/events/