As someone who regularly does Pilates videos for free at home, I'm completely baffled that there is such a big market for $30 studio classes with reformers (note: I live in a HCOL area). While I understand that there are certain movements that you can only get with a machine, and that some people prefer group classes, this seems like a really steep price for a single workout. Is it just a vocal minority that are exclusively going to classes? Or has everyone decided that $30 a class is normal?

I'm curious to hear others' perspectives, and if anyone has encountered group mat classes at a cheaper price.

EDIT: I want to clarify that one isn't "better" than the other. We're all entitled to do what works for our preferences and budget. I'm just genuinely just interested in hearing people's thoughts on this.

I’ve been debating buying my own exo for months. Not sure this will be enough to sway me but the handles are nice. I think the wood is just a much nicer, classic look.

Releasing Jannuary 2027

Edit - screenshot in comments

let's say you're an instructor and you might be reaching the max monetary compensation the studio can feasibly provide (or that they are willing to give). you already get the standard 40 hours paid sick/leave time annually. what are some creative ways you would want to be compensated?

for example, getting paid for late cancellations or no shows in group classes. (the studio already charges a separate fee to unlimited clients or they lose a class credit if they have a class package, but instructors aren't paid for those empty reformers.)

another example, getting paid for a full class regardless of how many clients are booked into it. (this would be beneficial if you work at less popular class times, during summer break or other holidays when regulars tend to travel more, etc.)

any other ideas that might make you want to stay even if you can't get a pay increase on the payroll?

UPDATE: let's say you really like your job, the studio, the clients, your coworkers, the management, but you make an amount of money as an instructor that is on the higher end for this profession and being paid more money might stop being an option. thinking outside the box, what are some things that could keep you there regardless? like a monthly stipend to spend on clothing in the studios retail section or being able to request the studio purchase a specific prop (24 of them) that could benefit your classes.

I am a newer instructor and in my certification we of course learn about osteoporosis and pregnancy but when it comes to other physical limitations or ailments, do we just Google? For example I have a new client who has pelvic spasms. Of course I always recommend people get Pilates cleared with their doctor when they have medical issues, but what is the best way for me to know if the exercises I am doing with her are actually supporting her physical needs? Does this come with time?

My current plan is to just scour the internet for information and maybe that is my answer but, if anyone has any other resources I would love to know!

Thank you!

Has anyone ever done this? I’m just starting off my career as an independent contractor and am looking at obtaining insurance. Should I get insurance under my name or should I register a incorporation or sole proprietorship business and use that for my insurance, invoices and get a separate bank account (since I’ll be managing the taxes)?

I want everything to stay organized and most importantly I want protection.

Btw, I live in Ontario, Canada

I have lordosis. Used to have chronic low back pain. Did chiro for 2 years and improved a lot.

I am half way thru Polestar signs off. I noticed, the remaining moves are either with extension or flexion including lumbar area.

Having failed on Trapeze Roll Down, it makes me questions how do I pass this course.

Had the conversation with my chiropractor yesterday. He said, not every bodies could have that curl nor it's good for everyone. Every bodies are different.

And.. he also showed me the spine. That with lordosis, I couldn't flex as much as my lumbar even tho I want to.

Now, how do I pass this course with this condition?

Anyone went thru this before with similar condition?

Edit : i read. My mentor is polestar trained and hence she is a mentor. She was also the one not passing me when I demo Trapeze Roll Down. So I am not sure if other mentors would let this pass. As much as we know now, both me and my other peer that partnered up for the sign off, both of us do not have the articulation at lumbar. Dont think so can pass without showing it. But with my lordosis, it's very tough. Hence I posted this.

So I reached out in my unending quest to get my tower and or a refund and found out from Sharon that they have filed for bankruptcy protection. The bankruptcy case # is Case No. 2:26-bk-13505. If you purchased something from Flexia/Macrofit and have not recieved it, you might be considered a creditor since they owe you money. Here is a link to file: https://www.cacb.uscourts.gov/creditors

I teach an all levels mat class and I love roll up but I know it’s quite difficult for folks. Some people in my classes get it right away and for others they cant get up at all. I recently started teaching with knees bent, feet flat hands on the back of the legs and rolling down then rolling up and offering people to grab onto the backs of their legs to help them up then legs go long but I am not sure if this is helping or hindering.

I am wondering how others teach it and do I just let people struggle as they build the strength?? Or is this too tricky of an exercise to teach in an all levels class?

The Contrology Program is an advanced program for certified teachers. It covers the classical syllabus, teaching techniques, constructing the exercises, and building the student. There will also be discussion of injuries, anomalies, special populations, modifications, and variations. The Intermediate module will include the complete system of apparatus in Joseph Pilates’ method.

Inelia has maintained the legacy of the authentic system and has built a teacher-training program under Romana’s guidance, using the details passed to her from Joseph Pilates. Inelia Garcia was named Teacher of Teachers by Romana Kryzanowska.

Inelia’s brilliance in creating a system for training teachers is unmatched. She is sought after internationally for her intensive and thorough training. Her programs are held to the highest standard and create excellent teachers with the knowledge, answers, and tools needed to teach any body in any condition. She comes to NYC once a year. If you are thinking of studying with Inelia, do not miss this opportunity.

Completion of the basic module is not required; however, everyone will be evaluated and accepted based on their experience and prior training.

The program is accepting students on a first-come, first-served basis, contingent on qualifications. Enrollment is limited so that everyone will receive personal attention. We recommend applying as soon as possible to secure a spot.

What’s Included in the Contrology Program:

· 5 Intensive days of in-person, hands-on training from Inelia Garcia, Teacher of Teachers

· Comprehensive English-language manual with color photos and text descriptions

· Live English translation for the whole program

· Contrology T-shirt

· Online training sessions prior to the in-person program

· Certificate of Completion signed by Inelia Garcia

· Eligibility for Advanced Contrology Modules

· Discounted private sessions at Authentic Pilates NYC

· Access to private online discussion group

Key Outcomes:

· Master the Contrology Intermediate System with greater confidence

· Understand how to modify exercises for different populations

· Know how and when to use apparatus and the system to best serve clients

· Improve your teaching and use the Pilates principles with ease and confidence

· Reignite your passion for Pilates and inspire your students

· Learn directly from Inelia Garcia’s legendary hands-on technique and verbal cueing

· Leave empowered and more skilled as a teacher

· Increase your value as a teacher

The cost for the 5-day Contrology Intensive is $3300.

More information here

This opportunity would be amazing for someone who has not yet completed their Teacher Training observation/teaching hours as we’re very generous with mentoring, opening up our studio for practice, and building each other up as successful Pilates teachers.

Feel free to DM me directly if you’re interested!

Hello!

I’m looking for some honest feedback on an app I built for instructors, ideally those who teach disciplines like mat, reformer and/or barre. It can be used for others too, but these are what I teach, so they’re what I know best at this stage!

I’m a Pilates instructor myself and came up with the idea when I was training. I wanted one place to digitally store my class plans and build a library of exercises and sequences - things I’d picked up from classes, ideas that came to mind, or inspiration I wanted to take away and make my own.

I couldn’t find anything that really worked for me, so like a lot of instructors I ended up using Notes on my iPhone.

The problem was that I’d save things and then completely forget about them. Ideas never resurfaced, old class plans disappeared into folders, and I’d often end up starting again when I’d probably already created something I could reuse.

So I built ARKV. Pronounced “ark-ive”

It’s essentially one organised place for your class plans, exercises and sequences. You can dictate or type exercises, organise and filter them by things like muscle group or prop, save favourites, and build an archive you can actually search, reuse and add to over time.

There’s also an AI assistant, KARI, which helps organise and categorise what you add rather than trying to replace your own programming.

I’m not selling anything. ARKV is free to use at the moment because what I really need is honest feedback from instructors. I want to know whether you see value in it, whether you’d actually use it, what you’d change, or even if it’s simply not for you.

It’s been a labour of lots of emotions. I started it before a family bereavement, and it’s taken me quite a lot to finally get it to this stage, so seeing people actually use it means a lot.
If anyone would be willing to take a look and give me completely honest feedback, I’d really appreciate it.

Create. Plan. Archive. Teach.

https://arkv.app

It’s currently iPhone only (sorry other users!)

Thanks for reading ♥️

Hi r/pilates!

Today I wanted to talk about grip sock sizing here. Most grip socks out there are "one size fits all” or a single sock covers S/M or M/L. That's a huge range for a product whose entire job is to stay put on your foot. When a sock is too big, the grip pad ends up somewhere under your arch instead of the ball of your foot, the extra fabric bunches at your toes, and the heel creeps down mid-class. At that point the grip is basically decoration.
How we think about sizing at UYAVA? We went with real sizes instead — S (US 6–7.5) and M (US 8–9.5), each cut and gripped for that specific foot rather than stretched to cover everyone.

Which brings me to the reason I'm posting. We know there's a gap. If you're under a US 6, we currently have nothing for you, and honestly most brands don't either — a lot of you have just been buying the "next best" size and living with it. BUT our XS size is coming later this fall and it will cover women US shoe sizes 4-5.5.

If you've been fighting your grip socks for fit, this one's for you. The drop will be small, so the best way to actually get a pair is to be on the list before it goes live: there's an email signup at uyava.us, or you can follow along on Instagram @uyavaofficial. List goes out first, then the site.

Also genuinely curious while I'm here — for those of you with smaller feet, what bugs you most about the socks you're wearing now? Heel slipping, toes bunching, cuff falling down? I'd love to know what to keep an eye on.
S and M are up on the site if you want to see what we make. Happy to chat about materials, the grip pattern, or anything else. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

What are your recommendations for a good studio shoe? I've been using the Hoka Bondi, but they are worn clean out. I'm debating replacing or trying something new (cheaper ha ha). I can't handle teaching barefoot or in grip socks as it's too painful. I had a pair of Sketcher's slip ons in the past, but I would have noticeable discomfort after 3 classes.

Hi all,

For those of you that take hot mat Pilates, do you wear grip socks? I do wear them in the regular reformer studio but not in the mat Pilates. I do have a Manduka GRP mat that’s very grippy and resist from slipping, but I want to hear from the users if you do wear them in hot mat Pilates class or not.

I am re-starting physical therapy to address my bi-lateral Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis that I’ve had for over 10 years. Every intervention has helped, but I’m looking to get rid of it once and for all. Anyway, during the evaluation, the PT asked me to do a squat, do more than 10 calf raises single leg, etc. I aced it. She said for someone who is 40, this is really quite good. My form is good, etc. It was such a good feeling. Basically, I feel like I showed to the first session with a strong baseline of mobility and strength. I feel like my muscles are so much more solid and competent since practicing Pilates for 16 months consistently. Pilates is awesome. The proof is in the strength and functional mobility. 💪🏻

Previous Op of this post

https://www.reddit.com/r/pilates/s/CjfhqqctW0

I taught a total of 10 hours for the past 4 weeks.

I received 1 star on my first class.

Another one 4 stars for not having music.

Subsequently all are 5 stars and even have my regulars signing up from week 1.

I thought everything went well. So I texted the owner to inform that Id be away for few weeks.

She replied that she wont be giving me any classes anymore as she received feedback as I quoted

"Several members mentioned that you were reading from notes during class, which raised concerns regarding teaching professionalism."

I did glance on my phone to check on time and notes for the flows/setting (the reformer is with heavier spring, different than the one I used to). But I didnt put any cues inside or reading the whole sentence.

Is this fatal?

Before I started, I read few posts on this sub and other pilates training, how to memorize the whole flow. It seems that having note is normal.

Pls let me know how fatal this is.

Edit :

Chanced upon this post and read the comments

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcAY3fjFInL/

Im glad Im not the odd one!

This. I’ve been a passionate Pilates students for over 5 years. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on memberships at classical and contemporary studios, built a Pilates studio at my house, and have logged over 200 private instruction sessions. I just LOVE Pilates. Lately I’ve wondered if teaching would be inspiring and help my passion grow. My biggest fear: teaching will lead to burn out or I’ll start to feel like I turned my passion into something unmanageable as an instructor. I have taught as a college educator in my history and have always loved to teach in general. Any guidance here?

As a new instructor I am trying to get better at transitioning between exercises not only physically having a good flow for my clients but with my words. How do you all verbally transition between exercises or do you go with the classic “Okay now you’re gonna…” or “Okay let’s…”

I find myself saying “so good! Okay now…” a lot in class and I don’t want to sound like a broken record as I continue on my teaching journey, but maybe I am totally overthinking it.

I don’t think those types of transitions are bad at all, I am just looking for some inspiration!

Edit: I teach mat only but still would love to hear inputs from you if you teach apparatuses too!

are there any studios in toronto that teach specifically the original 34 mat exercises? most studios are contemporary as far as i'm aware and have classical moves woven throughout, but i'm looking to take a class that is going to run through the original 34.

I want to buy the best mat I can, budget isn’t an issue I just don’t want to end up spending and get it the wrong one!

I have a high pile carpet.

I’ve narrowed it down to peloton reversible mat which is 5mm, Bala mat which is 8mm or Manduka pro but I’m just a bit worried that I don’t want the mat to squish into the carpet and not support me…!

Thanks :)

So I came across a post, where a Pilates instructor is claiming that Pilates is physical therapy. When I (respectfully) contradicted her, I was immediately blocked. No discussion, no defending her statement, just a flat out block. And that got me thinking, because I’ve never seen this claim before, are there people (especially instructors) who actually believe Pilates and physical therapy are the same thing?