Should I Do Mat or Apparatus Pilates?

When people ask me if they should do mat or apparatus Pilates, my answer is: ideally both! If you are healthy, active, and free of injuries, then both mat and apparatus Pilates are for you. However, before you jump right in to one or the other, you should do a beginner’s course, an assessment, or a private session. 

These initial sessions will introduce you to the fundamentals of Pilates, and determine if mat or apparatus Pilates (or both!) suit you and your goals more. Have a look at the studios in your area to see what they offer for beginners. At b.Pilates & Fitness, beginners must first sign up our Introductory Package to become oriented. 

If you have injuries, chronic conditions, or are rehabilitating from a surgery etc, the apparatus will likely be the better option for you. These situations are essentially the reason why Joseph Pilates designed the apparatus. Still, I recommend most of my clients do both mat and apparatus Pilates. Why? 

6 Reasons to Practice Both Mat & Apparatus Pilates

1. Mat Work Is Hard. Mat work is all body weight exercises, where you must work against gravity in exercises like push ups, burpees, and planks. You will be challenged by the mat work, but it is necessary. You will learn to control your body in correct form, without the help of an apparatus. 
2. The Apparatus Helps With Form. Pilates equipment has springs, bars, foot-straps and handholds to help you achieve correct positioning. It also can reduce the resistance in some cases, making certain exercises easier.
3. The Apparatus Adds Resistance. Just as you can reduce resistance with the apparatus, you can also increase it. When using an apparatus with springs, for instance, your body will need to engage in new ways to keep control over the springs and your movements. 
4. Variety. Not only is there some variety between mat and apparatus Pilates, there are several apparatus as well; the Reformer, Tower, Cadillac, and Wunda chair are the most common. You might do one class fully on one apparatus, or on a combination of them. Your body gets a diverse workout, and you don’t get bored. 
5. Doing One Makes the Other Easier. Similar exercises are executed on the mat and on each of the various apparatus. So, if you are finding a particular movement challenging, it may be easier for you to learn it using a different apparatus or on the mat. Then, as you build strength and awareness of how to move, you will get better where you had previously struggled.
6. Faster Progression. My clients that attend sessions several times a week and do a combination of both mat and apparatus progress faster in their Pilates practice. For best results, I recommend doing Pilates at least twice a week, aiming for three to four sessions. Of course, take into consideration any other activities you may be doing. I’m a big advocate for cross training, including strength training and cardio along with your pilates practice.

Before you decide if mat or apparatus Pilates is for you, I encourage you to try both! And, attending a beginner’s or orientation session will set you up for success, no matter the path you decide to follow.