Most people don't come to Pilates because they're already fit. They come because they want to feel stronger, move more easily and enjoy exercise again.
One of the biggest myths about Pilates is that you have to be flexible or already in shape before you begin. You don't. In fact, many people start because they feel stiff, unfit or haven't exercised for years.
One of the reasons Pilates has been around for over 100 years is that it can work for such a wide variety of people.
Every week we teach people who have never exercised before, people returning after a long break, office workers who sit all day, older adults who want to stay active and regular exercisers looking to become stronger and move better.
Exercises can be made easier or more challenging by changing the position, range of movement, resistance or level of support. That means everyone in a class doesn't have to do exactly the same thing.
You simply begin where you are today.
The goal isn't to arrive fit enough for Pilates. The goal is to find the right place to start.
That's one of the most common reasons people start Pilates. You don't need to be able to touch your toes before your first class.
Age alone doesn't decide whether Pilates is right for you. We teach adults of many different ages, including people in their 60s, 70s and beyond.
Pilates isn't about looking a certain way. Exercises can be adapted for different bodies so that you can move comfortably and confidently.
Many beginners tell us exactly that. Nobody expects you to arrive at a beginner class already fit.
Everyone starts somewhere. A beginner or gentler class gives you time to learn the movements without feeling that you have to keep up.
Pilates works well alongside running, cycling, tennis, golf, strength training and many other sports and activities.
Whether it's been six months or twenty years, you're not starting from zero. You're simply starting again.
Many people begin Pilates because they want to move more freely after spending long hours sitting at a desk, driving or working from home.
Every year we speak to people who tell us, “I'll book once I've got a bit fitter.”
The problem is that becoming stronger, moving more easily and rebuilding confidence are often the exact reasons to start Pilates in the first place.
It's a bit like saying you'll learn to swim before booking swimming lessons.
You don't prepare for Pilates by becoming good at Pilates. You simply start with the right class and learn as you go.
You're definitely not the only one. Almost every beginner has some nerves before walking into their first Pilates class.
People often worry they'll be the least flexible person there, won't understand the exercises, will hold everyone up or will look silly.
The reality is that everyone in the room once attended their first class too. A good instructor expects beginners to need explanations, reminders, different exercise options and occasional rests.
Most people spend far more time worrying about their first class than they ever needed to.
Pilates isn't about having the “perfect” body. It's about helping your body become stronger and move better.
Some exercises may need adapting to feel more comfortable. That's completely normal. A good instructor adapts the exercise to suit the person, rather than expecting every body to make exactly the same shape.
Most people can begin Pilates without any problems. However, it's worth contacting the studio first if you've recently had surgery, have persistent or unexplained pain, your symptoms are changing, or you're unsure whether exercise has been medically approved.
Sometimes a gentler class, private session or medical clearance is simply a better starting point than joining a standard group class straight away.
Pilates teaching does not replace diagnosis, physiotherapy or medical care.
There isn't one type of person who does Pilates. Our classes include:
Pilates isn't one type of person. It's lots of different people with one thing in common: they want to move better.
Nobody expects you to walk into your first class knowing what you're doing. That's why beginner classes exist.
After teaching Pilates since 2007, we've found that the people who worry most before starting are often the people who end up enjoying it the most. They arrive convinced they'll be the least flexible person in the room and, a few weeks later, wonder why they waited so long.
The hardest part is usually booking the first class. Everything after that gets easier.
Tell us about your previous experience, what you hope to improve and anything that may affect your movement. We'll help you choose a sensible first step.
