"Doing Pilates on the equipment has been a great thing for me! My body is stronger and younger and much more flexible at 52 than it was at 35. I rarely have to see my physical therapist, chiropractor or rheumatologist! I feel so lucky to have found studio Pilates with all the equipment including the Gyrotonic - it is not available in many studios in the whole Chicago area. I am very grateful to be able to work with Charlotte, who has a really deep understanding of Pilates, of how the human body is supposed to move, and how to help each client get closer to that ideal."

-Anne V.

"I have been coming to Inner Elements for three years. I came on the recommendation of a friend to take a yoga class. However, I ended up taking some private Pilates classes and then started with a Pilates class twice a week. I am amazed by the knowledge, skill and concern of the instructors. They get to know the students and their physical limitations quickly. Each week I found the workout a little bit easier and I started to look forward to seeing my new class friends each week. My work schedule changes frequently and the staff at Inner Elements works with me to find a class schedule that will work. I feel I stand straighter and taller all because I am aware of all those little muscles in my back."

-Mary P.

"In May 2010, when I started at Inner Elements, I could only go down my stairs 1 at a time and had to hold the railing with both hands! Since working with Charlotte on the Gyrotonic system, I am able to run up and down without even touching the railing. I suffer from spinal stenosis and had tried 'regular' forms of therapy to no avail. Pain pills (both prescription and over the counter) were becoming my way of life, but I can say that since I started, I have taken 'over the counter' pills less than a dozen times and it is usually when I 'overdue' myself. The progress I have made is remarkable and my only regret is that I didn't find Inner Elements, Charlotte and Gyrotonic sooner!"

-Noreen M.

As a licensed physician, I appreciate the knowledge, experience and expertise the staff an Inner Elements brings to the Pilates work-out. The Inner Elements director, Charlotte Trux, knows more about body biomechanics and exercise physiology than the overwhelming percentage of health professionals out there. I also appreciate the genuine caring and compassion the staff extends to clients of all age groups, ability and health status. Pilates is an integral part of my overall wellness lifestyle.

-Jack S

Charlotte and Pilates has given me hope. I was very hopeless – after several MRI’s, visits to Neurologists, orthopedics, epidural injections, lots of anti-inflammatories . . . etc. All that talk about how damaged I was. I don’t get that from Charlotte – I am constantly on the upward march towards a stronger me. I’m not bent over in the mornings. I can feel and see my triceps for the first time in a long time. I can’t say enough positive things about my Pilates experience with Inner Elements – I am hooked. It’s part of me now. Thank you Charlotte.

-Sharon S

Taking Pilates has truly been life-transforming. I have worked out for years but never had much awareness of my body’s alignment, or lack thereof. Pilates is kind of like a chiropractor visit and workout rolled into one. I really like combining cardio/weightlifting with Pilates
– I feel like I’m giving my body what it needs and avoiding injury. Charlotte is a true exercise guru!

-Ann M.

Pilates at Inner Elements is the best exercise and I have tried them all! The teachers are patient, knowledgeable and encouraging. Even if I walk into the class feeling stiff, achy or tired, after the class I am limber and energetic. It is the best exercise experience that I would recommend to anyone.

- Kathy D

• The attitude and atmosphere of the instructors
• Getting stronger, improving balance. I enjoy taking class with my husband. It has increased his flexibility a lot and helped his back. Trish H
• Working with the others in my class, the pleasant atmosphere, and the feeling that I don’t have to compete with others in the class. Lou P
• The invigorating workouts, the expert instruction and the camaraderie I feel with fellow students. James G
• Personalized attention to guide me to meet my fitness goals. Michele B
• The very personalized experience that actually shows results - for me it’s a pain free existence Sharon S

• I have the self-confidence to try things I’m afraid of. Cindy K
• It is a part of my week when I can escape life. Trish H
• Eased arthritic pain, increased physical strength. Barbara O
• I’m a runner, and Pilates has rounded out my fitness routine, and made me more aware of how my body is not aligned and how it should be aligned. Lou P
• I am more energetic, more limber and, generally, in better health than I was prior to attending Pilates sessions. James
• I feel stronger, healthier and more confident. Michele B
• I am hooked.It’s part of me. I can’t imagine life without it. Sharon S

• Dizziness, pain in my knees, shoulders, stiffness Cindy K
• Lower back pain. Trish H
• Osteoarthritis Barbara O
• I was not performing the proper stretches before and after running. The stretches that Charlotte has taught me have improved my flexibility and range of motion. Lou P
• General stiffness. James G
• I had a shoulder injury of 15 years, hamstring injury of 20 years and poor posture. There has been significant improvement in all 3 areas and they continue to improve each session. Michele B
• A very bad back, herniated disks (3), stenosis, leg pain, hip pain . . . I get up straight in the morning without being in an rounded curve. Sharon S

• I kept falling down & injuring myself. Cindy K
• I was out of shape and my body hurt. Trish H
• Physical therapist suggested it for arthritic problems – spine mostly. Barbara O
• My wife, Mary, had been attending for several months and suggested I talk to Charlotte during an open house. Charlotte seemed to really know how the human body worked and how Pilates would help me. Lou P
• Because my wife was going, and she was very happy with the program, and frankly she told me to go. I wanted my back to stop hurting. Jon B
• Word of mouth from a member peaked my curiosity and I knew I needed to schedule my workout like an appointment. Otherwise, I wouldn’t make it a priority. Michele B
• My physical therapist said it would work well for my back problems. Sharon S

• The care taken to keep me safe & not hurt myself. Cindy K
• It is clean, quiet, calming Trish H
• Excellent equipment in a serene setting. Barbara O
• It’s clean, and the equipment is kept in excellent working condition. Lou Peterhans
• I’m certainly glad there isn’t any loud crazy music playing while we are exercising. I’m also happy that I can ask questions at any point and get answers that are correct and very informative. It’s just a very friendly place. I like the guys I work out with – we get along well. It’s not competitive at all. Jon B
• We proceed at a reasonable pace and I receive regular encouragement to make progress. Attending a Pilates class at Inner Elements is a fun (if sometimes exhausting) experience. James
• I am not from the area so personally the studio has given me a place where I feel like I am a part of the community. Michele B
• I feel comfortable and well cared for. Sharon S

• ..her patience & willingness to adjust routines to fit my limitations yet encouraging me to try things outside my comfort range. Cindy K
• ..she is detailed and specific in her teaching. Trish H
• .. learning from a true expert. Barbara O
• ..she takes the time to make sure I am performing the exercises correctly. She also pays attention so that I don’t hurt myself. The best part of my sessions – she knows how the muscles, tendons, and bones work together, and how everything should be aligned. I can feel confident that I am getting the most out of the exercises. Lou P
• .. she pays attention to my abilities and adjusts exercises so I can get maximum benefit out of them – she pushes me, but doesn’t stress me.Jon B
• ..she knows my strengths and weaknesses. I like how creative she is and gears the session toward what I need. Ann M
• .. it is interesting to see how different instructor approach their instruction for the class. Michele B
• .. their knowledge and desire to work with you still amazes me even after being there several years. Sharon S

• It’s the only exercise program I’ve ever looked forward to. Cindy K
• It is close to home and I like it. Trish H
• The hour goes very fast. Instructor knowledge, pleasant attitude and positive nature make it a pleasure to work with her. Lou P
• I also want to be able to move around when I’m older – I consider this an investment in my health and future mobility. Jon B
• It’s an experience I can’t recreate in a gym or at home. Ann M
• The physical and mental changes were evident within weeks of beginning instruction. Once you know where you should be with health; you know how detrimental it would be to stop making exercise a priority. Michele B
• Everyday is different and I’m constantly moving forward – improving. I am stronger and reaching new goals. Sharon S

• It’s nice to be able to check my schedule if I’m unsure of any changes – I especially like the e-mail reminders when there are any changes. Cindy K
• I get tied up with meetings during the day, so the online scheduling allows me to plan ahead for additional classes and cancellations at night when I can concentrate on my schedule. Michele B
• Online scheduling makes life so easy, especially if you have a conflict with a scheduled class . I don’t give up Pilates for just anything, but sometimes emergencies spring up. Sharon S

• More self-confidence, less fear, less pain & much better balance & feelings of being well. My breathing is also more productive. Cindy K
• I feel better, have more mobility and feel lighter. Trish H
• More flexibility, more muscle strength (which protects my arthritic joints)Barbara O
• I’m a runner. Since starting Pilates in May, 2008, I have cut about 30 seconds off of my average mile time for a 4.5 mile run. My improved flexibility has also helped me increase the distance I hit a golf ball, so much so, that by the end of July, I had to change my club selection by a couple of numbers. Lou P
• I am stronger, more limber, more energetic and, in general, healthier since I have been attending Pilates classes with Charlotte and her staff. James G
• I was a 3 sport athlete in high school but didn’t have strength or flexibility. I am more flexible, stronger and carry myself with confidence more than I did when I was in my teens, twenties or thirties. I still have work to go, but seeing my muscles becoming defined and strong is exciting. Michele B
• Strength. I am strong now! I am not shriveling up & succumbing to pain & misery. Quite the opposite! Sharon S

• Calm atmosphere, orderliness, cleanliness, well-maintained equipment & definitely the people! Inner Elements has changed my life! Cindy K
• The variety of equipment. Trish H
• Clean, sleek, lots of wood. Barbara O
• The studio and equipment is clean and well maintained. The temperature is just right. Lou P
• I had never used equipment like the “reformer” prior to attending Pilates sessions. It has been a new experience for me. James G
• I like the smaller club environment that is friendly and convenient. The equipment classes have strengthened my muscles and spine without impact on my joints. Michele B
• Comforting, serene, inviting, and it’s constantly improving. Sharon S