What It Costs To Do Pilates

Sometimes I have people ask me why Pilates is more expensive than going to a group bootcamp or gym class. What it costs to do Pilates depends on several factors, and will affect the cost of the class or session. 

The Size of the Class

When you take a group class at the gym, several classes may be happening at once. People are working out individually, and there may even be a cafe, shake shop, or child-minding services. A gym can serve a lot of people at once and has a large staff to cater to them. 

On the other hand, boutique fitness studios like mine can only manage a small number of clients at one time. These types of studios tend to offer a mix of private sessions, semi-private, and small group sessions. I offer all of these, but my largest class is still only four clients at a time. 

This is comparable to having a personal trainer during your session. The teacher can pay closer attention to each student in the class, which is ideal when a client needs to make minor changes to the apparatus or spring settings and needs help. The teacher can also help cue each individual and offer modifications when necessary. 

The Type of Pilates

In addition to the size of the class, there are lots of styles of Pilates and many different types of studios that cater to differing markets. For example, a studio that only does mat classes won’t need as much pricey equipment as a reformer-only studio that does classes with ten or more people at a time. 

Then there is clinical Pilates, which are usually private sessions. The teachers are often physiotherapists, chiropractors, or registered massage therapists who’ve found that Pilates is a great compliment to their existing practice. 

Some studios offer a mixture of modalities, including Pilates, barre, yoga, aerial yoga, body rolling, etc. Each of these will have special requirements, from the amount of space required, the specialized equipment, teacher training, and so on. These all will affect what it costs to do Pilates at each studio. 

The Apparatuses

Good fitness equipment has never been cheap, and Pilates is no different. It’s expensive and there are very few Pilates apparatus manufacturers worldwide. Quality is important, and over the years I’ve learned that one reformer or brand can be a very different workout compared to another. One reformer alone averages $5000USD brand new, plus shipping and taxes. 

The cost is why many teachers start their own studio with just one or two reformers and slowly expand from there. You can imagine the cost of having a fully equipped studio with reformers, wunda chairs, a cadillac or two, Pilates mats, towers or spring boards, a spine corrector, ladder barrel, small apparatuses, an electric chair, arm chair, and guillotine. It all adds up! I’ve had clients who decide they’d like equipment at home to do Pilates, but are shocked at the cost. 

Teacher Experience

While a clinical Pilates instructor may have additional training as a chiropractor or RMT, all comprehensively trained Pilates teachers have an extensive training background. The initial training is a minimum of 450 to 500 hours, but many training programs are up to 1000 hours of instruction and practice. Most instructors continue their training well into their careers. This is a great thing for our clients, but the workshops, conferences, and training can be costly. 

Many fitness instructors and trainers are also self-employed or independent contractors. This means there are no vacation days or pensions. We happily trade that though to work in an industry we’re passionate about, where we get to help our clients feel better in their bodies and therefore in life, too.

It All Depends! 

What it costs to do Pilates for you will depend on the type of instruction you want, the type of Pilates you like to do, and how the studio you’re doing Pilates at chooses to run their business. 

I’m not complaining about any of this, but hoping to let you “peek behind the curtain” and see what goes into b.Pilates & Fitness. I love learning, so I try to attend at least one conference, retreat, or program each year. I also know which apparatuses I love, so I upgrade when I can. 

The other day, a potential client told me that she was trying to recruit friends to do Pilates with her, but they thought it was too expensive. I explained that they “need to need it” first. People usually come to Pilates because they have a pain point that introduces it to them. It’s often a literal pain (like in their back or hips), but some have done their own research and sought out Pilates. Then they keep coming back because it works! And those who take a break from Pilates often tell me how much they missed it, or how they wish they never quit doing it at all.