Starting Pilates – which studio is right for you?

Starting Pilates – which studio is right for you?

With so many Pilates options popping up around Lane Cove, deciding where to start your journey can be difficult.  Liane Geeves, the owner of Pilates Connection (who has operated in Lane Cove for over 13 years), provides some valuable insights on what to look for when choosing a studio that’s right for you. 

“ Pilates can be beneficial for everyone – from professional athletes, pregnant women, and those strengthening before or after surgery, to seniors looking to improve balance and mobility, desk workers with poor posture, and those fit and healthy looking for a challenge.  

The most important factor is to find the right Pilates environment suitable to your fitness level, and health goals – somewhere you feel comfortable and supported. Here are some of the areas to consider to help you make the right decision: 

• Personalised attention: Private or small group classes (2-4 people) allow for more personalised attention from the instructor, who can tailor a program to your specific goals or condition, and provide guidance to ensure proper form and prevent injury. In a group class, the instructor may not be able to give as much individual attention or adjust your technique if you’re doing exercises incorrectly. ie: Make sure that you are recruiting the correct muscles under load and not firing all the wrong muscles as you do your workout.

• Certification level: If you are new to Pilates, or have specific illnesses, or injuries, a private or small group class may be more beneficial. It’s important to also check your Pilates instructor’s certification level and experience to ensure they are adequately trained to help meet your goals. Some Clinical Pilates instructors may also have a background in physiotherapy, or specialist training for injury rehabilitation or have undergone further certification to specialise in treating specific areas like pelvic floor dysfunction, Pregnancy Pilates, and training for Cancer patients pre/during/post-treatment.   

• Equipment: Private or small group classes will normally begin with an initial consultation which allows your instructor to assess your movement patterns and postural alignment and allocates valuable one on one time to teach you the basic principles of the Pilates method. From there each Pilates session will provide access to a wider variety of Pilates equipment such as Reformats, Cadillacs, Wunda Chairs and Barrels, alongside props like resistance bands, balls, rollers, mage circles and specialist fascial release tools. More equipment can widen the range of exercises and challenges on offer. Larger group classes traditionally only offer mat or reformer pilates, sometimes with the use of props.

• Cost: Private or small group classes tend to be more expensive than larger group classes, so if budget is a big consideration, and you’re relatively fit and injury-free, group or gym-based classes may be a more attractive option. However, the personalised attention and access to a variety of equipment may make private/small classes worth the investment, especially if you are recovering from a specific injury or condition that needs specialist attention.

Ultimately, the decision between larger group-based Pilates classes and private or small group classes will depend on your individual needs, goals, and preferences. Most studios will be happy to give you a tour of the facilities or perhaps offer a trial class before committing to a longer program or ongoing membership” 

More about Pilates Connection: 

Pilates Connection has been offering expert, individually tailored, private and small group apparatus Pilates services in Lane Cove for more than a decade. 

Here’s a virtual tour of the studio where Liane shows some of the equipment used to tailor individual programs for Pilates Connection clients: