The benefits of practising Pilates are far-reaching, such as improved core strength, better posture, increased flexibility, and fewer aches and pains, It’s also great for your joints, supports bone and pelvic health, as well decreasing stress and anxiety.

The ease with which you can slot Pilates into your day combined with the impact it can have on your whole health, give it top-of-class movement credentials, but because there are so many ways to practice Pilates, we put together a handy guide of what you should consider before getting started with Pilates!

Do you want to practice in a group or alone?

Attending Pilates in a group mat class is usually the most accessible way to begin, you don’t need any equipment and a fully equipped studio will provide the mats and any small props that are used for the class. A group class is a great way of staying on track and motivated with a group of like-minded individuals and life-long friendships have grown from starting a class together.

However, if you are recovering from an injury, have chronic pain, have had surgery or have specific goals you want to achieve then 1:1 Pilates may be better for you. Your teacher will do a movement assessment based purely on you and your body and design a bespoke programme to meet your goals. You may then decide to move into a group class or continue with your private sessions.

Do you want to use the mat or the Pilates apparatus?

Mat work is the most easily accessible and the cheapest way to practice. Mat work involves laying on your back, side, or all fours and in standing where body weight and gravity work your muscles, you might also use small props such as balls, spikey balance pods, rollers and bands to enhance the practice and create more challenge.

Using the apparatus designed by Joseph Pilates himself happens in a private or group studio with a teacher who is comprehensively trained. They will have undergone around 1000 hours to learn and master over 350 exercises using springs and pulleys to challenge and build muscle strength, resilience and balance. Due to the safety and complexity of the equipment apparatus sessions are offered either in a 1:1 setting or a small group setting once the client is familiar with using the different pieces of apparatus.

These sessions are typically more expensive, but they can offer quicker results in injury recovery, positive rehab outcomes and the benefits of flexibility and strength.

What to look for in a teacher?

In the UK, Pilates is an unregulated industry, meaning anyone can do a Pilates course and offer Pilates. When choosing a teacher, look at their qualifications and how many hours they had to do to be qualified.

Typically, a good mat course means a student teacher would complete at least 300 hours of education, teaching and observation and a studio-certified apparatus teacher around 1000 hours.

Pilates teachers spend in excess of £10,000 to get their certification and these teachers will offer you the best Pilates experience. Remember, a personal trainer, yoga teacher or other fitness worker can attend a weekend course for less than £100 and then offer Pilates, but it won’t be true to the work and teachings of Joseph Pilates. (Read more on the origin of Pilates here).

Pilates training schools teach students about injuries, contraindications for these injuries, anatomy study, teaching practice and most importantly safety, so be sure to check out the teachers’ credentials before starting. You can view our team credentials here

(L-R) Teacher Hannah Bebb and studio owner and teacher, Lauren Hilton, both qualified with Polestar Pilates UK

How to choose a class?

Most studios or classes will be offered with a certain audience in mind. At Lauren Hilton Pilates, our mat classes are offered under the names of Align, Energise or Beginners, so that you can decide which class suits you.

We advise starting with Beginners and progressing on to an Align class. Once you’ve mastered the foundations, and are injury-free, you can choose to move into an Energise class.

Pilates is a practice, so we will never know all there is to know. This means our knowledge of an exercise evolves as our awareness evolves. All the fundamentals are layers for the advanced exercises, so just as we wouldn’t run before we could walk, the same applies to Pilates. We would want to master a roll-up and rolling-like-a-ball, before attempting an inversion where the legs go over the head and we stand on the shoulders.

Where do you want to practice?

You can practice Pilates in a Pilates studio, at a church hall, community centre or at home. Your budget may determine where you practice, but expect that Pilates offered at a community centre and at home would be cheaper than at a Pilates studio.

Can you practice Pilates at home?

Yes absolutely!

Practising Pilates at home is an incredibly versatile and cost-effective way of getting Pilates into your life.

You don’t need lots of fancy equipment, just a mat and a towel and may later buy some cheaper small props like a ball and roller if you choose. Online subscriptions, such as our own LHP At Home, offer classes for all levels, including beginners.

Online Pilates means you practice Pilates any time you like and you’re not bound to a class timetable, you can practice in your PJs if you like, and it can be done anywhere you have some floor space. If you’re inured or have any medical conditions or a diagnosis such as osteoporosis or arthritis we suggest reaching out to a Pilates teacher for advice first so you know what exercises are and aren’t appropriate.

Thinking of starting Pilates?

Let's get you started with our Beginners Class, a perfect introduction to Pilates before you move into an Align studio classes

Or get started today at home with Lauren Hilton Pilates At Home. You can sign up here.

Lauren Hilton Pilates is a boutique Pilates studio specialising in mindful Pilates movement. Located in the heart of Shrewsbury our fully equipped studio has the ultimate Pilates experience for you.

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How to get started with Pilates as a beginner

The benefits of practising Pilates are far-reaching, such as improved core strength, better posture, increased flexibility, and fewer aches and pains, It’s also great for your joints, supports bone and pelvic health, as well decreasing stress and anxiety.

Do you want to practice in a group or alone?