Sdm* Total Therapy Studios

22/04/2026

Further to our last, there's nothing more fun than trying to navigate corners, doors, and frames when moving a massage bed...

22/04/2026

Today, I am mostly doing things in our Carfax premises.

21/04/2026

Welp, it's three weeks to go before I once again lace up some questionably appropriate footwear and head off on a long walk. This one, I’m pleased to report, is marginally less unhinged than the Cambridge to TTS Horsham episode - which, for those who followed it, set the bar somewhere between 'ambitious' and 'mad' - but still comfortably falls into the category of 'probably not entirely sensible.'

A fair few people have asked what’s going on this time around, so here’s a little update before I disappear off with a backpack, a vague sense of direction, and what will almost certainly become a growing appreciation for decent blister care.

** It’s not a charity thing, like it was last time.
Last time had a clear and worthy purpose, and it made the whole thing feel slightly more legitimate. This time… less so. There are, of course, plenty of excellent causes I could have attached to this, but in truth this one is more about the challenge itself. Or possibly just a mildly ill-advised idea that’s gathered enough momentum that it now feels rude not to follow through. Either way, no fundraising target, no grand mission - just me, some miles, and a questionable decision-making process.

** How’s the training coming along?
In a word - it isn’t. I would love to tell you that I’ve been pounding the pavements, building up mileage, and preparing like a seasoned long-distance walker. I have not. I have, in fact, done absolutely nothing that could reasonably be described as training. There have been a few walks to the fridge, which I feel have at least maintained a base level of mobility, but beyond that it’s all going to be a bit of a surprise to the system.

** How can I follow the journey?
I’ll be putting updates on here as I go - most likely in the morning before setting off, and again in the evening once I’ve located food, somewhere to sit down, and my remaining sense of humour. You’re very welcome to follow along, dip in and out, or quietly mute me if daily updates about slightly sore feet and navigational mishaps aren’t your thing. No judgement either way.

** Are you going to write a book about this one too?
I’m going to try not to. Genuinely. The intention is to simply do the walk, enjoy it (or endure it, depending on the day), and leave it at that. That said, last time started in much the same spirit and somehow turned into a book, so I wouldn’t rule anything out entirely. If it does happen, it will almost certainly not trouble any bestseller lists, but if you enjoy mildly rambling observations, the odd poor decision, and a travel narrative that occasionally wanders off course - much like the walk itself - then do let me know :-)

20/04/2026

The Boss is doing her thing again...

14/04/2026

From humble beginnings. We've just found this one from 2013 when VERY few people had heard of a Pilates reformer.

07/04/2026

Afternoon - Sarah here. I thought I'd share my thoughts around the article you might have seen in the paper this weekend about the rise of reformer Pilates in the last couple of years (I've put a link at the bottom).

The article talks of the recent boom, along with the concerns about injuries. And, we’ll be honest… none of it surprised us all that much.

There is without doubt a new wave of Pilates studios opening all over the country and as the article alludes to, Pilates is currently an unregulated industry, therefore there is still no industry or minimum standard in instructor training. This essentially means your 'Pilates' instructor may be someone with comprehensive qualification which can take 3 years to complete, or simply a weekend qualification in 'Reformer' Pilates.

Whist we all enjoy seeing social media content about how fancy Pilates can look, beautiful boutique studios, inspirational Pilates bodies, cool moves, matching outfits and Paddy McGuiness having a tough time in a Reformer Class, this was never really the point. It’s important not to lose sight of what Reformer and Pilates was originally for.

Pilates and Pilates equipment was never originally designed as some sort of fashionable torture sled for social media content. It was created by Joseph Pilates as a way to help people of all shapes and sizes to recover, rebuild strength, improve control and stability and move better - including people coming back from injury. That was the heart of it. And for us, since 2021 and on the back of our physical therapy provision - has always been the heart of it.

For us, it has never really been about image. It has never been about looking a certain way.

And it has definitely never been about whether an exercise or a studio is 'Instagram-worthy' or a good business opportunity.

It’s about whether it’s helpful.
• Helpful for the body.
• Helpful for recovery.
• Helpful for long-term health.
• Helpful for confidence.
• Helpful for real life.

That means our sessions are rooted in what your body needs — not what happens to be trending online.

Sometimes that means slowing things down.
Sometimes it means learning proper control and technique.
Sometimes it means rebuilding confidence with movement.
Sometimes it means simply helping you live life without constant pain.

And that for us is where the real value is. We absolutely love the equipment - but we love all movement for what it can do, not just how it can look.

So if you’ve ever been curious about reformer or Pilates but felt put off by the more intense or image-led side of the industry, please know there is another version of it.

- A more grounded version.
- A more supportive version.
- A more rehab-informed version.
- A version where all shapes and sizes feel comfortable and welcome.
- A version where instructors are vetted for their qualifications and experience.

And that’s very much what we’re about at Total Therapy Studios. We might not have the fanciest studio, and we may not be right for everyone, but we will always guarantee:

- A safe environment.
- Experienced, highly qualified teachers and clinicians.
- Small classes.
- A wide range of classes for all aspects of movement health and budgets.
- Individual guidance and assessment for the right pathway for you.

That's what we do. And that's what we've done for years.

Lack of regulation for specialist classes leaves UK fitness enthusiasts at risk, say professional bodies

03/04/2026

We're in Carfax, we're closed, it's early April, we're building things, and there's no-one in town.

This feels VERY weirdly familiar #2020

01/04/2026

Y'all know we were maybe only *half* joking with our post this morning, right?

01/04/2026

We've been waiting to tell you about this. Coming this Summer, more to follow.

28/03/2026

IT'S THE BOSS'S BIRTHDAY - So join us in wishing Sarah Dover-McCarthy a VERY happy birthday. She's going to spend it yelling at Dom for providing this picture of course! x x x x

10/03/2026

So The Boss is taking a short break, and naturally is taking it easy. For every like this post gets, she'll throw a snowball at Dom's head.

26/02/2026

Meanwhile, over at Clockhouse Podiatry, Michelle did an AMAZING job with Dom's feet :-)

Michelle had a very late cancellation today, so Dom - our Practice Director - was treated by the wonderful Michelle. Apparently he's got 'very healthy feet', which was a surprise to everyone, to be honest...