What is pilates?

Updated

Pilates is an exercise method built on slow, controlled movements, coordinated breathing and precise form, done either on a mat or on spring-loaded equipment such as the reformer. Joseph Pilates developed it in the early 20th century and called it Contrology. Today most people take it as an instructor-led class at a studio or gym.

Where pilates comes from

Joseph Pilates was born in Mönchengladbach, Germany, in 1883[10]. During the First World War he was interned in England, and in the mid-1920s he moved to the United States, where he and his wife, Clara, ran a studio in New York[10]. He called his system Contrology, for the idea of using the mind to control the muscles, and he patented 26 pieces of apparatus in his lifetime[10].

He taught in New York until his death in 1967[10]. The method spread through the teachers he trained, and their students, which is why pilates today comes in several styles that all trace back to the same source.

What the method focuses on

Pilates exercises are built around a few habits that show up in every class, whatever the style:

  • Control. Moving slowly enough that you decide where the movement goes, instead of swinging through it.
  • Precision. Fewer repetitions, done exactly, matter more than many done loosely.
  • Breathing. Each movement is paired with an inhale or exhale.
  • The center. Instructors talk about the trunk, often called the core or “powerhouse,” as where movement starts.

You’ll hear these words in class. They’re the vocabulary of the method more than a list of rules.

Mat pilates and equipment pilates

There are two broad kinds of class.

Mat pilates is done on a thick mat using your own body weight, sometimes with small props like a ring, a ball or light weights. It’s the cheapest kind of class, and gyms and community centers often teach it.

Equipment (apparatus) pilates uses machines with springs. The reformer, a sliding carriage on a frame, is the one most studios build their classes around. Other apparatus includes the tower or Cadillac, a frame with springs and bars, and the chair, a compact box with a spring-loaded pedal. Reformer classes cost more because each student needs a machine.

If you’re deciding where to start, our types of pilates classes guide covers each format, and the reformer pilates hub goes deeper on the machine.

What a pilates class looks like

A group class usually runs under an hour. The instructor leads from the front or walks the room, calling out positions, counts and breathing. Exercises flow in short series: lying on your back, then your side, then seated or kneeling, sometimes standing. There’s little or no jumping in most classes, though some reformer classes add a jumpboard.

Classes are usually labeled by level. Beginners start in classes called intro, fundamentals or level 1. Our pilates for beginners guide explains what to book and what to bring.

Pilates vs yoga

People often compare the two because both are done on a mat and both pay attention to breath. They come from different places and run differently: yoga is an ancient practice from India, pilates a 20th-century exercise method, and pilates classes tend to keep you moving through short series rather than holding poses. The full comparison is in pilates vs yoga.

What pilates costs

Across the 61 studios in our directory that publish a drop-in price, the median single class costs $39. Prices range from $10 to $99. Memberships and class packs bring the per-class price down, and many studios discount the first class. See how much pilates classes cost for the full breakdown.

Find a pilates class

We list 12,992 pilates studios across the US, and 15 cities have their own page so far, each with hours, Google ratings and any prices the studio publishes. Search pilates near me, or start with one of the cities below.

FAQ

What does pilates actually do?

Pilates is a set of controlled exercises that work the whole body, with attention on the trunk, breathing and precise form. What it does for any one person depends on their body, how often they go and the class they take. We don’t make health or fitness outcome claims; an instructor can talk through your own goals.

Is pilates a good workout for beginners?

Pilates is taught at every level, and most studios run beginner classes labeled intro, fundamentals or level 1. Those classes go slower and explain each exercise. You don’t need a set fitness level to start. Mention any injury, surgery or pregnancy to the instructor before class so they can suggest options.

What is the difference between pilates and Contrology?

They’re the same method. Joseph Pilates called his system Contrology, from the idea of the mind controlling the muscles, and today the method goes by his name instead. It was the same set of mat and apparatus exercises either way. Some studios that teach his original sequences call themselves classical pilates studios, to separate them from newer contemporary styles.

Do I need equipment to do pilates?

Not for mat pilates. A thick mat is enough, and studios provide mats in class. Equipment classes use machines like the reformer, which the studio provides. You’ll usually need grip socks for reformer classes. To practice at home without buying a machine, mat work is the place to start.

How much is a pilates class?

In our directory, the median published drop-in price is $39, across 61 studios that list one. Mat classes usually cost less than reformer classes. Intro offers, class packs and memberships lower the per-class cost, so check a studio’s pricing page before paying the drop-in rate.