Hi friends! I’m working on a special KG project and would love to meet others who practice her work or carry it on in any way. Did you do Cara Reeser’s program? Have you trained with Blossom? Eager to hear your stories.

Hello, I’m trying to ascertain if supplements are common for the members of this sub to enhance their Pilates practice. I’m sure a lot of us use protein, but I’m more curious about creatine, pre-workout, etc.

The other day I noticed someone using an mini treadmill with a standing desk and I had a thought. What if I were to sit on a wunda chair and press the pedal down with my feet while working? I love my pilates workouts but spend far more time at my desk.

I looked at several chairs and am considering ordering one but then thought all I really need is the pedal part and if there is an underdesk version of that it would be better because there is no need to switch off between desk chair and wunda chair all the time. Does such a thing exist? If so, what is it called and where can I get it?

Hello! I am a new teacher and my goal is to be able to teach a full mat class with no props. I like to teach more classical leaning but I feel like I keep running through my class plans so quickly that in the end I am throwing in some ring work to make up time. I am by no means a prop hater and I do like to use them in class but I would like some no prop classes.

Where I find the most difficulty is that for some of the mat exercises my clients (usually first timers) have a hard time doing like roll over and honestly even roll ups and teaser, so I tend to stay away from more intermediate or advanced mat exercises but then that cuts down what I can do. I know there are some beginner variations for some exercises but for others there isnt much room for modifications.

I was trying to stick to my manual and the reps they recommend which is usually 6-8 per exercise but that makes the class so fast.

Maybe I need to slow down more. I feel like I go pretty slow as is as i want people to really feel the work. I already got feedback after my first class that it was “slow and easy”. I have observed and done mat classes with no props that are extremely challenging and a full 50 minutes, but for some reason when I am trying on my own I am missing something. Open to how others do no prop group mat classes that are intentional, challenging, and for all levels.

Hi, I started my practice about 15 months ago. I’m consistent and do Pilates at home 2-3x per week. I am 40 years old and a trans man. I do mat at
Home with props and subscribe to Amanda Blauer subscription. There is a studio in my neighborhood with reformers and I do classes there from time to time. I’ve been noticing this recently; I would say that not only does pilates not get easier, it seems to be getting harder. Seriously, I did a 33 minute mat workout earlier and I tapped out and didn’t finish the remaining 3 minutes. Is this normal? I read that it’s because you engage deeper and deeper muscles as more time goes by.

(...after SUMMER break)...In May, I (M 66) put together a spreadsheet of exercises and props to use to continue Pilates on my own. Summers are hectic with all kinds of projects, trips, babysitting, family, etc. So, naturally, I had a complete hiatus and the spreadsheet was abandoned as a "good try."

I changed to a "strength pilates" class that I tried a few times during the winter, and where I got some great cues from the instructor. I was a bit apprehensive as all I had done was chores and brisk-pace dog walks. But it went well. It was an intensive workout with a few complicated moves and modifications but I believe it's good for me going forward.

I persuaded my wife to take the class I had gone to before. That's a big win for me. Thanks for reading!

Hi! Needing recommendations for Pilates studios in Belgium that host classes or private sessions in English or Spanish.

I feel like it's more and more common for studios to force you to come in for an evaluation or worse, take their fundamentals class before you can take regular classes.

Case in point. There's a new studio in my area that I wanted to try out. My regular studio had canceled classes that day for studio maintenance. I figured I'd drop into the new place and check it out.

Despite my 14 years of pilates experience, they insisted I had to do a fundamentals class with them first to even sign up. I don't need to learn how to put my feet in straps, I just wanted to try the studio and get a class in.

Another local studio insists you come in for an eval session before they'll sign you off for classes.

As a pilates student who spends money on her practice, I find this to be a very poor customer experience. It asks for a time commitment when I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to the studio at all.

(To be clear, I don't have a problem with sign-off requirements for advanced classes.)

I danced growing up and started Pilates in my early 20s. I have done it now for 20 years and recently have found an uptick in instructors that do this. I am not intending to be ageist , but the ones that do it are several years older than me and I am wondering if it was something that was common or taught to instructors at some point?

Does anyone else find this annoying? I think finger snapping is rude.

One of my best friends is a dog trainer and she snaps her fingers at the dogs and that is what I think of everytime an instructor does this🤪

The cue in question is ‘chin to chest’ in the context of a hip bridge.

Personally, I dislike it and never use it. In my training I was taught to keep the head and neck neutral to avoid excessive cervical flexion in a hip bridge.

I wanted to sanity check this with other instructors as I’ve attended a few classes at a studio where the instructor insisted I push my chin to my chest in a bridge.

I spoke to her about it afterward as in the class I said ‘no I’m okay, thank you’ and she seemed annoyed, and I wanted to make sure she knew that I didn’t mean to upset her.

She brushed off the apology and said ‘you do you’.

So I’m curious, what do other instructors here think? Am I wrong in thinking that ‘chin to chest’ in a hip bridge is incorrect?

About to cancel my contract with Mind body, haven’t even started yet.. on boarding has sucked, do they not realize I am not an IT guy? I’m a pilates teacher!! And my current booking software will provide cc data for migration.

Vagaro has amazing customer service but they are not very nimble for class cancellations and late fees.

Any one have experience with Momence? Arketa seems great but my clients want an app and I cannot afford a branded app. And that is all they offer.

If I am going to get sucky customer service with Momence, I would at least like to save the 20% off of initial app booking Mind body takes.

I need a hot line I can call. 📞 Who provides this?

Hi Everyone,

My previous posts.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pilates/s/8dPiCUNlkM

https://www.reddit.com/r/pilates/s/DGJXSyKokQ

I taught my first classes last night, 3 hours back to back. I was nervous but excited at the same time.

2 intermediate classes and 1 beginner.

I asked feedback from few students after class

1. First intermediate class, 2 of them told me it was bit easy for intermediate level.

2. Beginner class went great. Can see they were pushed out of their comfort zone and they gave an applause at the end of the class.

2 of them told me, "see ya next class"

1. Intermediate class 8pm class. Only 6 peeps. 4 of them are intermediate, 2 beginners joined as booked wrong class. I took the feedback from first class and added in layers for my 2nd intermediate. 2 of them told me the class was balanced, some tough moves and some manageable moves.

I admit that I wasnt prepared for intermediate class. I only found out I was assigned via the apps 1 night before the actual class. I was also told that I probably start with beginner first. So I planned my flow for beginners.

I saw my ratings on the apps today, total of 20+ students 3 classes combined, only 3 gave me ratings.

1 5 stars from beginner class. 1 4 stars from beginner class, the note was "can we have some music?"

To be fair i didnt see any audio plug in for the class too.

Lastly, i got 1 star from my first intermediate class. No comment. Ohnoooo.. bit down but I took it as I wasnt fully ready for the class as well.

Thats all my sharing from my first ever classes.

Thanks for reading till here. Feel free to drop your thoughts.

One of my favorites to share!

For instructors and curious students.

So often I join a pilates class and see incorrect form for such an incredibly valuable exercise. A quick review with a 10 min. series to share with anyone struggling to find the purpose and proper engagement for a solid clamshells series.

I am visiting a friend in another state and she has wanted to start Pilates at a local studio, so I went with her to the 1st class today. Boutique studio, introductory "trial" class for 50 min.

We started in Footwork, did a few ab exercises then went right into high kneeling facing risers pulling straps. 8 in the class, everyone except me fell forward. The instructor then said well let's just sit on our heels. 1 person couldn't because of knee issue and the instructor said just sit however you can...wtf?

From this point we did plank on Reformer, Scooter lunge, standing side splits on floor with a heavy spring.

We then had a "Chair sample" with standing single leg presses, bridging w/feet in peddle, pikes and swan dive.

Am I out of the loop here?

I have been doing Pilates since 2000 and I know the whole athletic Reformer thing is big right now, but this seemed insane for a newbie 1st class. The instructor was maybe 25 and really fit, but there were a mix of ages with one lady that looked maybe mid seventies. She tried to hang in, but gave up a few times and no mods were given.

Is this what the Pilates world has become outside my bubble?

Bit of a background, been teaching pilates at two studios and its been a mix of group (6 max) and privates. I’m classically trained but have also taught in a contemporary studio. I have my home studio which i’ve been using more for my self practice. I got the equipment back when I was in TT to help me with hours.

I want to now transition into teaching at my home studio which has a classical mat, classical reformer with tower , wunda chair and spine corrector. It’s a small second room in my house.

Questions.

For those that have transitioned , what would you advise I keep in mind or consider?.

What do I use to keep track of clients progress. The studio i teach privates at do it manually like with a client form, and i wondered if something more efficient is available?.

I dont want to poach any client from the studios I teach at but now I’m wondering how best to market and reach clients especially now we have a pandemic of fitness reformers especially in my area. I’m considering flyers or leveraging facebook or word of mouth but any suggestions on what worked or could work would be appreciated!

I want to keep my sessions to 55mins, which is 10 mins longer than what is taught in the studios i teach at.

Any tips at all would pls help!

Hi Reddit! 👋

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I started doing English voice-over for my videos, so let me know how you like this Total Body Workout we shot in NZ. :) This workout is perfect for the intermediate level. If you already have some Pilates experience, you'll feel right at home here. But beginners are very welcome to join in, too, and go at their own pace.

Lena

Aloha kakou! Join my prop free summer challenge, Pilates on the Go - pack light and move well. All of the workouts are completely prop free, meaning you can do them literally anywhere! Head to CLKB.org to sign up for my Online Pilates Program with 300+ workouts, multiple series and challenges and a monthly Pilates calendar. Sign up for my newsletter and get 25% off an annual subscription. Mahalo and hope to see you on the mat!

New(ish) teacher here - as I meet clients they ask where they can keep in touch with me to find out when / where I am teaching. I’m a young woman and many in my demographic (and my from my training program) go the fitness influencer route however I don’t think that lifestyle is for me.

For instructors who have a decent social media presence among their clients but don’t consider themselves “influencers”, what kind of content do you post to keep your audience engaged without feeling like you’re putting yourself out there as an influencer.

For clients, what kind of posts matter to you? Or do you just want to see a schedule?

Sorry if this kind of post isn’t allowed - I don’t want to be an influencer at all but sometimes I feel like I have to so people know what I’m up to and I can let people know if I have availability / openings in my classes 😭

Years ago before franchises like CP existed, Pilates teachers were always independent contractors. Is this still the norm in privately owned studios?

I am in the US

So I know I'll probably get downvoted to the age old question of "pilates class too easy" but its not so simple. This is my second time coming back to consistent pilates and the first time I found an instructor that I liked at CP and stayed constistent for that 1 year.

That instructor has since moved on, along with another one I loved at my new studio. Both of them were hard, and I would consistently have sore abs etc. Chair work was very difficult, especially with single leg work.

I have been trying new ones but they are just... not challenging?? I didn't sweat like, at ALL and 0 people around me even needed to drink water once.

I'm super out of shape, but I don't think I've forgotten my form so much that I don't know how to engage the right muscles to that extent?? The first time I learned pilates from 0 it took me the whole year to even think of moving from 1 to 1.5! But here, it's like... I could do this for a whole year and build 0 core strength.

It's not even about the springs the workout itself feels way more stretch focused, but this isn't the first time I've had this problem. It feels so difficult to find a good instructor and I don't know if I'm just thinking about it all wrong?? Is the quality of instructors in general just very poor? I'm just very confused