Which Type of Pilates Should You Do?

Pilates has been gaining popularity over the years, with social media showing the different ways you can practice it. If you’ve been wondering which type of Pilates is right for you, it’s important to understand the various options available.

Read More: Are You Ready to do Pilates?

When I started doing Pilates back in the late 90s and early 2000s, Pilates mat classes were the norm, often found in gyms, rec-centers, and yoga studios. These classes looked similar to yoga, and many people (including myself) didn’t realize that Pilates was much more than that. Nowadays, Pilates is much more well-known, and people are becoming aware of the different types available; so which is right for you?

Classical Pilates

There are many different types of Pilates, including classical Pilates, reformer Pilates, clinical Pilates, and contemporary Pilates. Classical Pilates involves a range of apparatus, including reformers, chairs, ladder barrels, spine correctors, pedipols, cadillacs, and more. In this type of Pilates, all the apparatus works together to help teach your body different exercises that may be more difficult for you on one apparatus versus another. They also help you build strength to be able to do mat Pilates (and life) better. 

Reformer Pilates

Reformer Pilates studios specifically advertise as being reformer Pilates studios, with rows of reformers where you’ll do a reformer workout each time you visit. This type of Pilates offers variations on traditional Pilates exercises, as well as strength-based exercises done on the reformer.

I often hear people say that they want to try the reformer. When I took my first Pilates mat teacher training program, it was held inside a classical Pilates studio that had the apparatus, and I immediately wanted to try it, too! I fell in love with it from the first try and knew that I wanted to learn how to teach reformer Pilates, too. 

Clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates involves one-on-one Pilates sessions taught in a clinical environment. Often, the teacher is also a physiotherapist, massage therapist, or chiropractor. This type of Pilates is usually part of your appointment for other therapy, perhaps as part of surgery prehab or rehab, or for treating an injury. 

Choosing the Right Type of Pilates

When choosing the right type of Pilates for you, consider your preferences and goals. I love classical Pilates because it can be both therapeutic and challenging, and it can be tailored to any fitness level, ability, age, weight, shape, or size. Clinical Pilates is often where people are first exposed to Pilates, and it can be particularly helpful during injury recovery. As they start to recover and see what Pilates does for them, they often move into classes or to a different Pilates studio.  Larger group classes can be a fun and effective workout, but it’s important to watch for control in the movements being taught. Larger classes may also not include the more technically challenging moves that require closer supervision. Mat classes are a great workout and are generally more affordable, and they are often included in Pilates studios alongside apparatus classes.

At my studios, we teach contemporary Pilates; the classes are all-in-one, with portions done on the mat and the apparatus. You get the a bit of everything Pilates has to offer! Plus there is always a teacher close by to help you with modifications, progressions, and to ensure you’re doing the movements correctly.

Ultimately, the key is finding the right fit for you, with a teacher who you enjoy and can learn from.