I asked people in my 10am Pilates class what they do for work

First and foremost a Pilates girly.

I used to be a devoted mid-morning reformer Pilates attendee. It was that sweet spot in time, right between uni classes and my casual retail job when I could stretch and exercise while most other people were at work.

Since I’ve started full-time work, my nine-to-five (shockingly) doesn’t quite allow a 10am Pilates break. Instead, I’ve become a night owl, booking in for a trusty 7pm slot. While nothing will ever truly shake my love for Pilates, no matter the time, there’s something incredibly relaxing (and indulgent) about doing a mid-morning class while the rest of the world is logged on.

Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.

It leaves me wondering about the kinds of people who are attending a weekday class at 10am. Were they all students like I once was, with casual jobs in retail and hospitality? Or did they work full-time? And if so, what kind of jobs let them duck out for a morning workout?

Curious to see whether people just had really flexible jobs, or whether they’d blocked out 10am as being at a work meeting on their office calendar, I decided to pop into the Good Times Pilates studio in Brunswick to find out.

 

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Kelly*, 40, art therapist

Art therapy can fit any sort of circumstance, but I work in adult mental health and more recently, I’ve started working in the youth justice system. I’m setting up an art therapy program at the custodial centre and offering art therapy – which is a creative aspect to care.

I have a role that’s point five, so I get every second Wednesday off, which means I’m able to come to a morning Pilates class. But I do come in on other mornings at about 7am, and then I rush home and get my little one-year-old ready and also go to work. But I think it’s really important because I need to be in a state of calm if I’m going to be suggesting others get into a state of calm as well.

Sarah*, 32, speech pathologist

I work as a Speech Pathologist in a hospital. My working week doesn’t typically allow me to book in for a morning Pilates class – I normally work from 8am until 4.30pm every day and I would normally come to the 5.30pm class, but I just happened to have today off.

We get accrued days off, so once a month we can choose a day that we want to take off, so that’s today for me. I’m actually coming to another Pilates class later today and spending the afternoon doing other life admin.

Rose*, 24, hospitality worker

I work in hospo, so I’m a section waiter and sometimes I run events and other things like that. My shifts usually run quite late in the evening, so I usually finish at around midnight or later. I do this Pilates class first thing in the morning to make sure I’m getting out of bed. It’s a really nice and invigorating way to start the morning and then I can go get a coffee and pastry.

I come in twice a week and it’s always a morning class. I used to do the midday one, but I found I didn’t do anything before midday and would get up late. I’ll be working tonight, starting at 4:45 until midnight.

Liz*, 27, junior doctor

I’m a junior doctor. I’m doing shift work, so I worked all weekend, but I have today off which is nice. My week depends on my rotations, so I’m doing emergency at the moment which involves lots of night shifts. But usually, I’m working from about 8am until 5pm on a ward job. The good thing about working in emergency is that it has the flexibility I’ve been wanting. I’m going bra shopping later today for a bridesmaid dress later and getting my hair coloured.

Eve*, 26, psychologist

I work as a psychologist three days a week. I have Tuesdays and Thursdays off which is great and means I can book into a morning Pilates class on both of of those days. It’s nice doing a morning class and getting the day going. I can come home and it’s only 10:30, which is still nice and early. It really jumpstarts the day.

I’ve got a fun day planned – I have a singing lesson later and a line-dancing class tonight, so you’ve caught me on a good day.

Maya*, 29, family lawyer

I’m on maternity leave right now, but usually I’m a family lawyer. My week at the moment is looking after my baby and then coming to Pilates a couple of times a week. The rest of my day will look like a lot of walking and a lot of napping!

*Names have been changed for privacy.

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