How To Choose The Right Pilates Studio

Do you want to try Pilates, but aren’t sure where to go? Or maybe you tried it in the past and didn’t love it. There are lots of options out there and they can vary widely in class types and teaching methods. So, just like finding a gym that you love, you may want to try a few studios until one clicks. This post will help guide you towards the right Pilates studio for you. 

The First Pilates Studios

Pilates studios have been around for 100 years now.  Joseph Pilates opened his first studio in New York City in 1926, though he started building out this system of exercise and inventing his equipment for many years before that. It was when he moved to New York that the first Pilates studio was born, though the growth of Pilates took a while. Joe wanted the world to know and do Pilates, but he was also very particular about who he would allow to teach it.  He didn’t have a formal training program but he did have people who he trained and allowed to work in his studio so they knew the work.  

With his permission, a few other studios did open up while he was still alive, but it wasn’t until after his death that more of his former students continued to share the work and open up studios. Ron Fletcher brought Pilates to the west coast, where famous people started participating and the work spread more.

Modern Pilates Studios

Now we have a huge surge of Pilates studios opening up all over the world. This means there is a vast array of business models and what is being taught. Classical studios are very similar to what Joe had, while contemporary studios are similar – but the teaching style and exercises have been altered for various reasons. There is also something called “clinical Pilates”, where you will most likely work with a physiotherapist, RMT, chiropractor who is trained in Pilates. Reformer studios are trendy right now, but they only use one apparatus and don’t follow the full Pilates method. Many teach exercises on the reformer that aren’t even Pilates at all. 

Then there is the class type. You can choose from private or semi-private sessions or group classes that can vary in size. There are also self-led classes, often called “Joe’s Gym”, which is open-gym style where you pick your own workout. The latter is how Joe ran his own studio. 

Our studios are smaller, though we have several apparatuses including reformers, towers, chairs, and other smaller apparatuses. Classes are generally three to six people, and you will get the full system of Pilates, not just parts of it. The smaller classes also allow for closer attention from the instructor. 

The Teacher Matters, Too

When I first started teaching Pilates, it was at the gym I worked at. I taught spin and aerobics classes, and would sometimes do a Pilates class there. It wasn’t until I was asked to teach the class and I sought out my own training that I found out Pilates was a whole system of exercise, with special equipment (the apparatuses) and specific exercises done in a specific order and way. 

The first classes I taught were safe to do, because I was relying on my years of practice and training in the fitness industry. But if you want to experience the true method of Pilates, or if you have limitations or injuries to manage, you will want to ensure your instructor is well-educated. 

Just as studios vary widely, so do teacher training programs. There are weekend classes or courses, modular training (only mat, only reformer, etc.), and then there is full, comprehensive training in classical or contemporary Pilates. Comprehensive training requires a minimum of 450 hours of learning and practice, and can go upwards of 900 hours. If your instructor has been comprehensively trained, it means they’ve learned how to teach on all of the apparatuses (15+) and know the Pilates method and exercises. They will also know how to progress or regress exercises to meet the client’s needs and abilities. 

What You Should Look For

With all of these variables, how can you decide the right Pilates studio for you? Only you can answer that question. Do you prefer large group classes, or one-on-one attention? Do you like to exercise more on your own, or do you enjoy energetic settings? Some studios (like b.Pilates & Fitness) will have introductory sessions to get to know you and your goals better, which is a great way to test the waters. It will also help you understand the basic exercises and equipment. 

Some studios will be all about the sweat and burn, while others will get you a sneaky burn over time as you learn to make stronger connections in your body. No matter what you choose, Pilates is challenging and fun. And if you don’t like one studio? There are plenty of others to choose from.