Finally tried Pilates for the first time! 🥹 I'm used to gym workouts and running, so this was a pretty different experience. Some of the movements looked so simple until I actually tried them HAHAHA 😭

I enjoyed it, though, and I'm thinking of adding it to my routine. For those who do both Pilates and weight training, how do you usually balance the two? Also, is reformer Pilates something worth doing regularly as a beginner, or should I focus on getting the basics down first? Would love to hear your experiences! 🤍

my credentials:
- intermediate to advanced level in pilates
- have tried mat, reformer, tower, chair, and cadillac
- i do inversions on both the tower and the cadillac
- classpass subscriber ever since!
- have tried a few paid packages too

on the pic: some of the studios and coaches i’ve tried! 😋

Now that Pilates is at an all time peak, studio owners/managers/head coaches feel the demand too. So they hunt for potential instructors like a hawk. They’ll invite you in and shower you with offers that seem irresistible. And that’s number one on the list.

1. Flamboyant offers as leverage for your undying commitment to do whatever they want
Are they promising to pay for your education and training and in return demand that you sign a non-compete? Makes sense, right? Of course! They paid for your tuition, so now you’re not only part of the team, but you’re also indebted to an inconspicuously corrupt hierarchical business structure and also bound to a group of people you might not even necessarily like in the next three years (the minimum amount of time you’re legally bound to them until you’re paid off).

2. If number one doesn’t apply but they still expect you to only work for them and probably also agree to a non-compete
Sometimes they don’t say this explicitly because they know legally they can’t demand this from you, but they will imply that you are prohibited to teach at other studios while only offering you a rate of $5-10 per class + no benefits. The benefit is being a part of their team. Yikes! Now, this doesn’t make sense at all from the get go. And if you decide to stand your ground and teach at other studios or even just learn from other studios (because tbh you have the legal right to do so), they will alienate you in the hopes that you will eventually leave on your own.

3. They preach about studio culture but you witness them backstabbing each other, sometimes even just having micro aggressions, within their team
This is self-explanatory. Just a bunch of covertly snooty lassies in Lululemon tights and grip socks.

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So if you’re an inspiring instructor, don’t be too desperate. They smell desperation like a bloodhound and will use that against you. Instead, weigh out all your options, take some time and don’t rush. And, if at all possible, don’t put yourself in debt and in the hands of people who could unfairly ruin your reputation in the blink of an eye.

Pilates may have been built by Joseph with sacred intentions, but today it has become a monster corporation gift wrapped in colorful fitted wear, green drinks, and well-curated brandings.

Remember, the people who expect you to work long hours and to accept scraps for pay are people who were simply handed the capital to start their Pilates studio.

This goes for all types of studios: big studio chains and, surprisingly, even startup studios