What do you mean by real, authentic Pilates? Isn’t all Pilates authentic?

While we would like to think it is, unfortunately in recent years, there has been a deluge of people and studios claiming to teach Pilates, but are really teaching random exercises, both on and off a reformer, and calling it Pilates. The dilution has made it impossible for a newcomer to even know that they might not be doing actual Pilates (which is too often the case). So ask your teacher where they got their certification from. Comprehensively trained instructors will come from an established independent school (not an in-house train-to-hire setup or a cheap online certification), have over 550 hours of teacher training that is in-person, plus continuing education requirements. They will know how to use all the apparatus, not just rely on the reformer. All classical exercises have proper names (sometimes 2!), and a teacher should be able to name them reliably, They should also be able to tell you the purpose of an exercise, and know basic functional anatomy, as well as be able to provide personal cues and corrections. Classical instructors teach the classical order of exercises, as developed by Joseph Pilates, as that order was designed for a specific purpose… proper progression! Proper studios tend to not allow more than 6-8 people into a group class that has reformers, as safety should always be the number 1 rule! Anything larger risks heavy injury, and barring that, larger classes (12-16 reformers) will prevent you from being able to achieve any advancement as one teacher cannot spot multiple people, therefore they are required to leave out the best exercises (so no wonderful short spine!). FYI, studios with that type of set-up will tell you that you are advancing to a high level (you’re a 2.5 and have done 250+ classes!), but when you get into a classical studio, you will see that you are still very much a beginner. It’s hard to see and show you, as you thought you’’ve achieved something amazing. Believe us, we don’t like bursting your bubble. It makes us really sad.

So, how do you easily tell if your teacher isn’t really qualified? Simple! Real Pilates (even contemporary) has low repetitions, nothing more than 10, and most is 3-6 repetitions. If you’re having trouble with an exercise, or it’s causing pain, and they can’t correct or modify the exercise for you, then that’s not Pilates. If they are doing even a single yoga move, it’s not Pilates,. If they can’t explain why your doing an exercise, or what muscles to use, or even what the name of the exercise is, they aren’t properly trained. And finally, if something is stupidly easy, or really dangerously difficult and the teacher has no notes, RUN!

HOW do I get started?

Simple! Contact the studio and set up a consultation.

What does a consultation entail?

The consultation is a chance for us to speak about your needs, fill out intake paperwork, take payment, and get you set up for your first session (which might be right after the consultation, depending on your schedule). If you have special needs, injuries, illnesses, limitations, or anything else we should know, then it’s the perfect time to share. We can also answer any questions you might have, The consultation time varies, but can last for up to an hour, Generally, you can expect it to last around 30 minutes.

What do I wear or bring for my first session?

Go to our policies page to see the general dress code, but you will want to wear something you can move in, sweat in, and not flash the teacher in. Be aware that loose clothing can make it hard for a teacher to assess your posture, and can get caught in the equipment. It can also cause you to slide around on the equipment making exercises more difficult. The studio has everything else you need! Water is provided (and towels too!), and there are a few limited products you can purchase to make Pilates more comfortable.

What do we do?

Pilates, of course! If you’re brand new to Pilates and exercise, we generally start with some fundamentals, and move on to some full exercises. You’ll learn a lot about yourself! The teacher will assess your movement and ability, and you’ll learn the basic principles that Pilates is built on. That first session tends to fly by!

Will I be sore?

You’ll probably be a little sore, but it won’t be too much, You’ll just have a feeling you worked your muscles. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel anything, though. Not everyone feels soreness!

My other studio only taught reformer, and that’s all I like, I only want you to teach me on the reformer, can you do that?

This comes up every so often, and it is a disheartening situation for a classically trained instructor. With the rise of the “cheap franchise” and contemporary instructors looking to make their clients happy and letting them have their way, by essentially letting the student be in charge of teaching, the reformer has taken the spotlight away from the purpose of Pilates, We get it, the reformer is fun! But… Pilates is not the reformer, Pilates is a system of exercises that encompasses the mat, reformer, tower, cadillac, chair, ladder barrel, and a myriad of other apparatuses and they work together to help you get stronger. Asking only for reformer is like paying a mechanic to fix your car, but telling him he can only use a screwdriver to do it. There’s a very slim chance that your car can be repaired correctly. Classical instructors are highly trained in all apparatuses, and you are paying us for that expertise to help you become stronger and more flexible. We will always use all available tools in our toolbox because it is the correct way to do our job. If you’re looking for only reformer, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Do I Have to wear sticky socks to class?

The short answer is no. We do not require that socks be worn, however we do encourage it. If you refuse to wear socks, we do expect you to keep clean feet on the equipment. It will also impose some limitations on exercises you’ll be allowed to do. If you wish to do feet in straps, you’ll be limited to your own straps (which are available for sale), or the rubber studio straps. This would include leg spring exercises. There are benefits to wearing socks, like warmth, the ability to stick to the equipment, and some snazzy fashion sense! The choice is yours though! You get your first pair for free with your intro package of three sessions, and there is always a variety of colors and styles to choose from!