How to Choose a Pilates Class
The practice of Pilates continues to grow around the world. Prior to the year 2000, only teachers who trained with one of Jospeh Pilates’ students were allowed to say they were teaching Pilates. After a legal case was settled, that all changed. Now, there are many training programs out there. Those that stick to the original ways of Mr. Pilates are called “classical” and those that have evolved are considered “contemporary” or “modern” Pilates. Your experience with Pilates will depend on the background of your instructor.
Always look for teachers who are comprehensively trained.
These individuals have put in a great deal of time (typically hundreds of hours) practicing, teaching, and working with a mentor to fully understand the equipment and its potential.
Look for a class that is small in size.
If you want to get the most out of your Pilates experience, small groups are the way to go. Large gym-based classes are fun and can be OK if you know your body well and can adapt as you need to, but the attention and corrections you’ll get out of a small group class can’t be beat.
Take classes from different instructors to find a teaching style that meets your needs
All teachers are different and it’s great to hear the same thing a bunch of different ways to see what clicks with you. It may take a bit to find the right fit but the effort will be well worth it. Depending on your goals, you may look for a slower paced gentle class or a faster-paced athletic workout.
Work with your instructor 1:1 before joining a class
If you are completely new to Pilates it’s a good idea to meet with someone a few times before jumping into a class. At CONNECT we recommend 3 private sessions to get you going. This gives us a chance to get to know your body, your goals, and help get you comfortable on the equipment so we can adjust and offer support or modifications as needed.
Call us today to learn more or to sign up for our Getting Connected Package: 3 private sessions and 3 equipment classes.
Don’t see a class that fits with your schedule? No problem, we are always taking requests and are happy to create classes as demand dictates.