How To Do Pilates on Your Own

Did you know that there are now reformers out there that are similar to a Peloton bike?  They have a screen on them and you follow the workout. I recently came across a Pilates influencer commenting on this trend, arguing that it is not a good way to do Pilates, that it can be dangerous, you could get hurt, and that you should always have someone’s eyes on you.

I agree in some ways. But I also disagree. Here’s why.

Solo Pilates Isn’t New

People have been doing Pilates on their own for a long time, following videos or online subscription classes. Before I ever did an in-person Pilates class, I did Pilates with DVDs I got for free with the purchase of baby formula. The first online subscription that I signed up for was Pilates Anytime. This was very much geared towards Pilates teachers in the beginning. They offered workshops and all kinds of workouts on all the various apparatus, including mat. Now I hear of many non-Pilates teachers subscribing to Pilates Anytime and the many other subscriptions out there. 

In the 90’s and early 2000’s, these videos were all mat workouts. The risk of injury doing a mat workout is far less than using an apparatus like the reformer. There is so much more to pay attention to when equipment is involved, like the setup, the springs, and transitioning between exercises. That is where having a teacher really matters. 

So, Do You Need a Teacher or Not?

In my opinion, you don’t have to always work with a Pilates teacher. But if you’re going to do Pilates on your own, you should keep some things in mind: 

Is the workout really Pilates? One of the key points the influencer I mentioned made, was that the ad for the reformer with a screen didn’t show a single Pilates exercise. Pilates has very specific exercises, they have purpose, and the set up and technique on the apparatus is very specific. It’s wise to research what you are subscribing to before committing, and ending up just getting a fitness class done on a reformer. 

Why do you want to do Pilates? Think about why you want to do Pilates. Is it because it looks fun? (It is!). Do you want a “Pilates body”? Well, everyone who does Pilates technically has a Pilates body. Or is it to lose weight? It might help, but you’ll need to consider cardio, strength training, and look at your diet. The best reason to do Pilates is to strengthen your core, improve your mobility, become more aware of how you move, and correct imbalances in your body. The reason you want to do Pilates will guide how much you need a teacher by your side. 

How fast do you want to progress? If a Pilates teacher can learn how to do Pilates independently, so can you. With that said, the more you do Pilates the more you actually want a teacher’s eyes on you. As a teacher myself, I make a point to get in at least one session a week or every two weeks with another teacher so that I have one or two things pointed out to me that I can then focus on in my own practice. That is how progress keeps happening. 

Do you need a video to follow? Like I said, that’s how I got my start in Pilates! It can be nice to not have to think and just follow along sometimes. But Pilates is very repetitive and systematic. So if you are taught how to do Pilates, you can actually learn it so well that it is just in your body and you know what to do. This takes time, practice, a good teacher, and patience to work on the foundations so you can build on that.  

My Final Opinion

While yes, you can do Pilates on your own, I think that should only come after having been taught the method so you have a thorough understanding. Then, when you’re confident on your own, it still makes sense to check back in with your teacher a few times a month to help you keep making progress.