How to find a great Pilates studio

OK, you’re ready to transform your body with Pilates but not sure how to find a good class.  Learning Pilates is like learning a new language.  It’s going to be much more effective and beneficial if you go to a great teacher.  

Since anyone can call themselves a Pilates Instructor these days, it’s good to know what to look for.

How do you find one?  Here’s a secret… they’re usually hanging out at great Pilates studios. 

First, if you’ve never stepped foot in a Pilates studio, don’t panic.  The equipment can be intimidating at first glance and remind you a bit of a torture chamber but I promise it won’t feel that way. 

Pilates equipment has springs that provide proprioceptive feedback to your fascia, muscles, and joints that can help “turn on” more efficient movement patterns.  Your body and brain will love it so let’s find the perfect studio for you.

8 step checklist to finding a great Pilates studio:

1. Google your area to see what pops up.
2. Find out where local sports medicine/physical therapist/chiropractors send their patients for Pilates.
3. What kind of training do the instructors at the studio have?  Is it from a reputable program and recognized by the Pilates Method Alliance (the professional association for Pilates i.e. as close as you get to a regulatory board)? 
4. What’s the style of teaching at the studio and do the instructors have specialties?  Some studios are more hands on, energetic, or gentle.  Specialties include those focused on special needs, injuries, rehab, sports, or prenatal clients.  There are instructors who strictly teach classical/traditional Pilates exercises to those that have more of a rehab focus to anything in between.  You’ll want to search for someone that matches your current needs.
5. What’s the vibe of the studio?  Is it warm, inviting, friendly, clean?  How do you feel when you look at the pictures online or when you walk in the door?  Can you focus and relax in that environment?
6. What’s the studio’s class schedule and offerings?  Is it fully equipped?  Does it offer private and group sessions?  Do the times fit your needs and availability?
7. Is the location convenient for you?  If it’s not within 15-20 minutes of your home or work, you probably won’t go consistently enough.  Each Pilates workout builds on the next one so skipping for several weeks will set you back.
8. Pilates Style Magazine has a good network of studios if you need more help finding the right one for you.

Be aware if you're allowed to jump into a group class without a private session. 

Most Pilates studios require 1-3 private sessions for new clients before you can join a group class not only for safety reasons but to get you the best results.  This will also include new clients who have taken Pilates before as every studio and instructor’s teaching style is different. 

Investing in a private session with an experienced Pilates Instructor is totally worth it. 

Great Pilates instructors typically go to private sessions with an experienced instructor to get regular tune ups.  Even though they know the exercises, there’s nothing like having someone’s expert eyes on you while you go through the movements. 

Your Pilates Instructor doesn’t have to look like a ballerina but they need to know the exercises and be passionate about teaching them. 

Anyone can teach the exercises but a great instructor will have the ability to design and adapt a workout for you based on how you walk in the door each session.  They can take one look and go “OK we need to work on your shoulders today or your hips look tight, let’s do some barrel work.” 

The great ones also have the ability to speak and cue you in a way that makes sense to you.  If their cues aren’t clicking with you, they should be able to give you a different one so you can execute the movement properly. 

If you’ve ever taken dance classes with a choreographer, this is similar to how it should feel during a Pilates workout with a great instructor.  They will guide you through the movements.

Your instructor’s cues will help you make corrections, modify the exercises, and progress them as you get stronger.   You're always learning in Pilates so it’s important to find a teacher that’s the right fit for you.
 
8 step checklist for finding the perfect Pilates Instructor:

1. What type of certification do they have?  Is it recognized by the Pilates Method Alliance?  A reputable training program will require 500+ hours of training, practice and student teaching over a period of months. 
2. Ask how long they’ve been teaching?  Also find out if they have trained in all of the equipment as that would be ideal.
3. Do they have movement related experience?  A background in Physical Therapy, Yoga, Dance, Martial Arts, or Sports is going to make a difference in their teaching tools and abilities.
4. Your instructor may modify the exercises but should know the names of the classical Pilates exercises and be able to explain why they are modifying it.
5. They should design a class that moves you all directions throughout the workout. 
6. They should teach at a pace that allows you time to feel the exercise in your body but not at an intensity that makes you feel behind or makes you sweat the whole time.
7. Each class should have some variety where you repeat the basic exercises but are learning new ones as you progress.
8. If you are taking private lessons, the program should be designed for your body type and fitness level.  In group classes, the instructor should keep their eyes on everyone and give cues that apply to all throughout the class.

It’s not about the burn…

The goal of a Pilates workout isn’t sore or burning muscles, sweat soaked workout clothes, or vomiting like in a boot camp.  It’s about getting in a state of flow, a moving meditation, where you engage your mind and body in a coordinated, graceful way. 

Yes you’ll feel taller after class but your body should also be “turned on” because you’re more grounded, centered, present, calm yet empowered and energized!

The mind, when housed within a healthful body, possesses a glorious sense of power-  Joseph Pilates

It’s powerful stuff for sure. 

​Once you’ve found your studio and instructor, you need to start learning the language of Pilates or “cues” you’ll hear in a Pilates workout.   I’ll decode some of the more common ones in the next FIT Blog: “Head to Toe Mental Pilates Checklist” 

It'll help you not only improve your posture in your Pilates class but also when you're running or playing your sport.

P.S. You can download a summary of the 8 step checklist to finding a great Pilates studio and instructor here.