Is Your Workout Really Pilates?

It’s no secret that I love fitness. It’s always been part of my life, as a hobby, stress-reliever, and a career. I also really love Pilates. That’s why I’m so passionate about educating people on what Pilates is (and isn’t). It’s currently experiencing a big surge in popularity, but with so many different studios opening and the thousands of videos on social media, it can be overwhelming. Especially when some of the offerings aren’t traditional Pilates at all. So how can you tell if your workout is really Pilates? I’ve got some tips. 

The Big Problem

Did you know that Pilates is unregulated? That means that anyone can say they’re a Pilates teacher, even if they have no training whatsoever. You can also call any exercise Pilates. This is why we’re seeing all kinds of new Pilates classes popping up. There are reformer-only studios, hot mat Pilates classes, loud classes with mic’d up instructors (reminiscent of my spin class days!), and even classes that resemble what used to be called a “body sculpt” class with light weights, leg lifts, and floor work. 

I’ve attended a few of these types of classes. Luckily, they were safe, effective fitness classes, but they certainly weren’t Pilates. 

I’ve also seen too many social media posts showing very dangerous exercises being done on Pilates reformers and other apparatuses. Making up exercises is fine… if there is a good, safe reason! In clinical Pilates, the teachers (who are often physiotherapists) will use the apparatuses to do functional exercises that aren’t traditional Pilates. Even in classical or contemporary Pilates, well-trained teachers will adapt exercises for clients while keeping in mind the purpose of the exercise and what the client needs. 

See what I mean about modern Pilate offerings being confusing? It doesn’t have to be, though. 

Find a True Pilates Class

I feel that you can have a fun workout in a reformer studio or a hot mat Pilates class if the teacher is educated in fitness and it’s a safe class. If you’re looking to do Pilates for the purpose of correcting imbalances and improving mobility, flexibility, strength, and awareness of how you move, then you should look for a studio with comprehensively trained teachers.  

Comprehensively trained teachers will have different training depending on where they were educated, but they will still follow the principles of Pilates: Breath, Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, and Flow. They will also have been taught safety, anatomy, and ethics, along with learning all of the exercises on all of the apparatuses. They will know how to teach clients’ different learning styles, the history of Pilates, and much more. All of this is covered in a 450 to 1000 hour teacher training program where they do self practice, observation hours, practice teaching, and attend classes.

Have a look at the studio’s website to find out information on the instructors. Their biographies should say that they are comprehensively trained and have a certificate of completion from a specific training program. Many will also be certified by the National Pilates Certification Program. This program has an exam for 100 hour mat training as well as a minimum of a 450 hour comprehensive training exam.  Anyone who has completed an appropriate teacher training program can write this exam.  It’s an exam that ensures that you have a solid understanding of the Pilates method, safety, precautions, and more.

Other Things to Look For

There are other clues to tell if your Pilates class or studio is true Pilates. Smaller classes, private sessions, and an intro to Pilates class or assessment are all signs of a studio that will have teachers with more depth of training. 

While in class, you also want to find a teacher who will offer you corrections and teach you how to do Pilates, versus walking you through the exercises each time. Think of it like learning any other sport, dance, or musical instrument. We want you to be able to eventually do Pilates independently, though we’ll always be there to help you progress. 

Finally, look for teachers who continue their own learning. There is always more to learn and discover in Pilates, and the more the teacher learns, the more they can help you in your own practice. 

A Final Word

At the end of the day, the question isn’t whether a class is trendy, sweaty, or that the studio has 10,000 followers; it’s whether it’s truly Pilates. When you understand what Pilates is and what it’s designed to do, you can make better choices about where you spend your time and energy. A well-taught Pilates session should leave you feeling strong and more connected to your body, not sore and exhausted. So do your research, ask questions, and get out there and do Pilates!