Q&A with Lindsay Hendrickson

Residence: Bonaire

Occupation: Owner/instructor, Inspire Pilates Studio

Q: What brought you to Warner Robins?

A: My husband, Adam, is in the Air Force Reserve and we chose to come to Warner Robins. We had other options, but he applied for a job here, an AGR (Active Guard Reserve) related job, and got it. So we could sort of choose where we wanted to go and how long we'd stay. We could stay here forever.

Q: Was it just the job or the community that drew you?

A: Well, both. Adam had been here before but not me. Together we looked up stats and we heard it was a good place to raise kids. We have two children. We knew a lot of people come not expecting much but then decide to stay. It's a good place to be.

Q: How so?

A: Family is the big thing, but what we've come to love is the people we've met. We came from bigger cities but Warner Robins has grown on us.

Q: Where are you from?

A: We're both from Philadelphia but we moved here from Phoenix, Arizona. Warner Robins does lack some things big cities have, but there are positives, too, and a sense of community.

Q: What are some "big city" things you miss?

A: If there's one thing, I'd have to say it's a children's museum. I'd love to see a children's museum here and I think a lot of people would love it. I guess we also miss not having a bigger variety of local restaurants. There are nice chain restaurants and some local, but we miss not having as many unique places with local flair.

Q: But there is a locally owned, standalone pilates studio here. You opened it. Why's that?

A: Exercise has always been part of my life. I was a competing gymnast as a kid and through college and a professional dancer right out of college. I began pilates back then, and after my first class decided I wanted to be an instructor.

Q: You got pilates training?

A: I did and I've continued training and gotten further certifications since. Now I'm a trainer for Pilates instructors. I completed 700 hours of an apprenticeship with Romana's Pilates in New York. Romana learned directly from Joseph Pilates, who created the system during World War I, so it's no fad like some think. It works. I have Pilates Method Alliance Certification and am a Peak Pilates Master instructor, plus I have Booty Barre Certification, which offers more cardio than Pilates. We have a yoga instructor at the studio, too.

Q: So you've taught all along?

A: I taught in New York and Phoenix and coordinated pilates for clubs and co-owned another studio. I sometimes travel to teach instructors around the country.

Q: Describe pilates. What are some benefits?

A: It's unlike any exercise program and it has no stressful impact to the body. Pilates strengthens the core, the central body and abdomen. Joseph Pilates believed strengthening the center allowed all the other areas to work properly. It's a full-body workout even though we focus on the abdominal area, on stretching and on strengthening small, deep muscles.

Q: It's not a bulk-up workout? Is it good for weight loss?

A: It's not massive muscle building but it strengthens muscles overall and provides conditioning, flexibility, coordination, endurance in the abdominals, arms, legs, hips and back. It's good for spinal and pelvic alignment and for breathing. Again, the focus is the core and it helps people who are fit and those who are just starting to get fit. We add cardio work for weight loss.

Q: Should you check with your doctor first?

A: It's pretty standard advice for any exercise, especially if you have unique problems. One thing I try to do is educate doctors on pilates so they have an understanding of what it can do. I've seen pilates help all kinds of people live the life they want to live. I've seen clients with back injuries, arthritis, MS, Parkinson's and many other conditions see big improvement.

Q: Your opening the studio -- unique in its way to the area -- points to a value-added benefit of Robins Air Force Base besides direct economic impact: it brings military members, contractors and their families here who have unique skills, interests and even entrepreneurial abilities. Thoughts?

Q: That's true. And the other side is people seem to welcome others here instead of shutting them out. I've felt people were happy to have us here as part of the community, and the studio is certainly doing well. Having people from different parts of the country probably does enhance Warner Robins a lot.

Q: How do people reach Inspire Pilates Studio?

A: It's on Lake Joy Road near Shane's Rib Shack just south of Ga. 96. Our website is www.inspirepilatesstudio.com and my number is 602-999-5946.

Answers may have been edited for length and clarity. Compiled by Michael W. Pannell. Contact him at mwpannell@gmail.com.

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 10:33 PM with the headline "Q&A with Lindsay Hendrickson ."