Jackson Free Press

At the first Downtown at Dusk (http://www.facebook.com/downtownatdusk) of the season April 12, a friend introduced me to Teresa Love, the owner of Pilates for Life (2628 Courthouse Circle, Flowood, 601-936-9922, http://www.pilatesforlifems.com).

"It's nice to meet you," I said. "You have killer arms." It was, in retrospect, one of my more awkward introductions to someone. However, it was my first impression of her, and it just slipped out. We spoke enthusiastically about class schedules and the effectiveness of Pilates Reformer classes. The results, as I immediately observed, speak for themselves.

I'll admit: Biceps aside, I remained a bit skeptical at first. I'm an avid fan of cardio, and it's only been since January, with much encouragement and patient coaching, that I've started weight training at all. It's been a process that involved a lot of whimpering and sad faces in the beginning, but has resulted in me feeling pretty darn confident about sleeveless dress season—and my newfound ability to bench press.

It's pretty amazing how quickly your body will accept being pushed in a new way if you keep at it. That's not to say that some things aren't still a little daunting for me. After all, I am: (1) a girl and (2) accustomed to the facilities at Courthouse Racquet and Fitness' downtown location (100 E. Capitol St. and six metro locations; http://www.courthousems.com). The downtown branch seems aimed primarily at a crowd of lawyers, accountants and government workers. They're not likely to be die-hard gym folks, in my experience, or people in muscle shirts (for whom Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his heyday, remains a hero). Now, I go to the Courthouse Lakeland location some mornings. It has a massive room with the "big weights." I was—and still remain—a bit intimidated; it's very macho and testosterone-y, but in the name of swimsuit season and short shorts, I've stuck it out. I'm pretty sure I'm one of only a handful of women who have been in said room since 1990.

Working out among men grunting and tossing around bars loaded down with more weight than two of me combined is one thing. Pilates, however, is another story. I used to do yoga to mix things up and add some flexibility work to my exercise routine. I am contemplating trying out a class at Butterfly Yoga (3025 N. State St., 601-594-2313) or the classes that Tara Blumenthal (http://www.tara-yoga.net, 601-720-2337) teaches at noon some days at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St., 601-352-3399). My last attempt at Pilates, however, was a mat class that left me completely frustrated. Most likely it was a failing on the part of the student, not the teacher, but I simply didn't feel like I was working out.

I think Teresa—and her "Michelle Obama arms"—may have persuaded me to try again. Plus, the Pilates for Life location is near the Lakeland Courthouse, so I could pop right over to counteract all the testosterone from the weight room with a little Pilates Reformer action. My friends seemed enthusiastic about her classes, too. After all, the BOOM Jackson fall fashion show is approaching, and I think I've challenged Eddie Outlaw (co-owner of William Wallace Salon in Fondren and JFP columnist) to a "walk-off" at the event. While the real winner there will be Dress for Success Metro Jackson, my arms, my stilettos and I would nonetheless like to give Mr. Outlaw and his abs a run for his money on the catwalk.

Follow Julie on Twitter @jcskipp.