Helen O'Leary

Helen O'Leary

Chartered physiotherapist

Helen O’Leary is a chartered physiotherapist who graduated from Birmingham University and went straight into professional sports. Her first job was with the men’s team at London Wasps Rugby Club where she worked within a world-class multidisciplinary team and where her love of Pilates and movement was born. In 2010 she completed her Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Rehabilitation course and began to teach both mat and equipment clinical Pilates. Working with the athletes in rugby showed her the huge benefits and potential strength gains Pilates could achieve. After spending three years in elite rugby, Helen took up a position with Cirque Du Soleil. As one of only two physiotherapists on the show, she taught Pilates as part of the performer’s ongoing maintenance treatment, to prevent injuries and as part of active rehabilitation. In 2015, Helen settled back in London and started Complete Pilates. Her aim is to help people take more responsibility for their rehab and give people the confidence to move even when they're injured or ill. Complete Pilates now has three studios across London, an online rehab service and an on-demand platform.

Recent articles by Helen O'Leary

How to stay injury-free before the start of race season

As you start to ramp up your training before the start of a new season the risk of injury can also increase. But with the right advice and exercises they can be easily prevented…
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The best strength and Pilates exercises for the menopause

Whether you're peri, post or slap bang in the middle of the menopause, strength training and Pilates have a whole host of benefits to help improve many of its associated symptoms…
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Best back stretches for triathletes

A daily, 5-minute stretching routine can be enough to keep common back aches and pains at bay for the active triathlete. Chartered physiotherapist Helen O'Leary has the advice and exercises…
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What are the best strength-training exercises for triathletes?

To improve your swimming, biking and running performance, you need to build strength in the specific muscle groups, positions and movement patterns for the respective sport. Here's what to focus on…
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Best Pilates exercises for triathletes post-race

Pilates is the ideal low-impact exercise to do after your triathlon event to allow energy stores to recover and your muscles to repair. Here are eight of the best Pilates exercises…
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Best Pilates exercises for triathletes during the taper

Pilates is the ideal cross-training method in the build-up to your triathlon race. Here we explain why and provide 10 of the best Pilates exercises to do during the taper period…
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The best Pilates exercises for triathletes to help strengthen feet and ankles

Many physiotherapists believe we should prioritise our feet as we would our teeth or eyes. Why? Because our feet give us stability, balance, grip and act as shock absorbers. Here are some key Pilates exercises to help strengthen our feet and ankles…
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How can Pilates improve your triathlon performance?

Pilates can help improve your triathlon performance by making you a stronger, less injury-prone athlete. Chartered physiotherapist Helen O'Leary has the must-do movements for every triathlete…
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