Maggie Schlegel
Last updated November 18, 2024

Is Pilates Good for Beginners? Learn All About Our Beginner Pilates Classes…

Starting something new can feel overwhelming at times. It’s why we often get stuck in the same workout routine for years.

But the good news – is Pilates is something you can do with other people in a class setting. It’s one of the things that makes beginner Pilates exercise classes so accessible.

In fact, we have a little trick at Sultivate, our Reformer Pilates studio. It makes our Pilates classes great for every level of Pilates expertise.

Today we’re going to tell you all about it… PLUS why you should give Pilates a try, even as a beginner.

Let’s dive in!

Is Pilates Good for Beginners?

Whether you’re considering Mat Pilates or Reformer Pilates it can feel daunting to start a new exercise system.

While we wouldn’t recommend trying to start Pilates in your own home as a beginner… going to a Pilates studio as a beginner should definitely be on your radar.

Most Pilates studios cater to beginners because Pilates hasn’t been a mainstream fitness style for very long. This means chances are, you won’t be the only beginner in the class.

While Pilates can be made more challenging for fitness enthusiasts who know what they’re doing, it can also be simplified for anyone ready to try it out.

At Sultivate, we don’t bother creating beginner and advanced classes because we want to make our classes as accessible as possible… to everyone.

So how do we make sure we’re helping you as a beginner Pilates member alongside our more advanced Pilates members?

Glad you asked!

An Inclusive Pilates Studio for Advanced Pilates and Beginner Pilates Members

While many studios separate their experience levels we don’t believe it’s necessary. Sultivate is all about inclusion and acceptance. Separating by skill level is just not as fun!

Instead, we offer multiple ways to perform an exercise. There are a couple of different modifications:

The base level exercise. This is the normal way the Pilates exercise is performed. It’s typically for people of average fitness levels… who are feeling good that day.
The regression of an exercise. This is an easier version of the base-level exercise. It might be for a Beginner Pilates student. Or it might be for an intermediate/advanced member who just needs an easier workout that day.
The progression of an exercise. For an intermediate to advanced Pilates member who craves a challenge in their workout.

As a beginner Pilates member, you may want to start with an exercise regression. But truthfully, most Pilates studios – ours included – provide such good instruction that you’ll likely be able to start with the base-level exercise.

Here’s how it works… The Pilates instructor will call out the base-level exercise for everyone to get started with. As you move into position, if you feel like it’s too much, the Pilates instructor will give step-by-step directions to make it easier… AKA regress to an easier version.

If you’ve been holding it for a few seconds and feel like you can do more, the Pilates instructor will also call out step-by-step instructions to make it harder… AKA progress to a harder version.

Your Pilates instructor is there to help you. Whether that’s through verbal correction or hands-on instruction, you’re sure to get the hang of Pilates quickly and start seeing the benefits.

You now know why Pilates can be a great beginner fitness program – but what kind of Pilates is best for beginners?

What Pilates Style is Best for Beginners?

While there are many Pilates styles, two of the most popular are Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates. So, we’ll focus on those two.¹

Beginner Pilates – Reformer

Reformer Pilates can be both easier and harder for a beginner to Pilates exercise.

Reformer Pilates can be easier because:

It’s easier to make regressions for beginner Pilates students on a Reformer. You use a lot less body weight for exercise. Instead, you use varying weights and tensions of springs and resistance bands.
You don’t always have to go against gravity. A lot of exercises can be performed lying down on the bed like carriage.
It’s easy to get up and down from a Reformer. Rather than having to go all the way to the ground… you can sit down on it like a chair and then move to a lying position.

Reformer Pilates can also be harder, because:

You have less stability for some exercises on a moving platform. Every move you make creates a reaction – and movement – of the reformer.
If you decide the regression or base level of an exercise is too easy, you can move to the harder progression. This is a choice, however.
The amount of equipment – plus the exercise progressions and regressions – can make doing Pilates at home on your own a bit more challenging. It’s best to have an instructor with you to start, so you make sure you’re doing the exercises correctly and benefiting from your workout. This means you could be a Beginner Pilates enthusiast for a much longer time before you hit intermediate or advanced levels and feel confident with progressions of exercises.

Now let’s talk about whether Mat Pilates is beginner-friendly.

Beginner Pilates – Mat

Just like with Reformer Pilates… Mat Pilates can be both easier and harder.

Mat Pilates can be easier because…

You have more stability. The floor doesn’t move. You (and any small pieces of equipment you use) are the only moving parts in the exercise.
You will become more and more accustomed to your own body weight. So while you may need modifications to start, you will rapidly progress past the beginner stage.
This goes hand in hand with a quicker learning curve. Plus the ability to progress to confidently performing Mat Pilates on your own outside of a studio.

But Mat Pilates can also be harder for a beginner:

There’s no way to get around the fact that bodyweight exercises can be tough for beginners. If you regularly workout and you’re just new to Pilates you’ll likely be ok. But if you’re brand new to working out period… Mat Pilates is going to take both your muscles and some extra resolve on your part.
You’re almost always going against gravity. Unlike the reformer where you can perform almost every exercise horizontally… Mat Pilates is always going to be against gravity.
If getting up and down from the floor is a problem, then Mat Pilates probably isn’t for you!

The truth is though, if you’re at a good Pilates Studio, the Instructor will be able to walk you through either Mat Pilates or Reformer Pilates just fine… even if you’re a Pilates Beginner!

Now let’s talk some specifics… here’s a question we receive a lot:

“How Often Should I Do Pilates as a Beginner?”

The phrase “It depends” comes to mind. Honestly, there isn’t a single formula to determine how often you should do Pilates as a beginner. It really boils down to what your goals are.

Are you trying to lose weight?
Are you hoping to gain muscle?
Are you hoping to increase your fitness?
Are you doing Pilates socially to be part of a great fitness community?

Why you choose to do Pilates directly affects how often you should do it – even as a beginner.²

Our opinion: as a beginner to Pilates, pick a schedule that you can keep up with. It can be easy to start strong with lots of Pilates workouts and burn yourself out.

Instead, add a single Pilates class to your week and slowly increase the number of times you come to class in a week till you feel comfortable with your time investment and the results you’re seeing.

As you increase your time at the Pilates studio, you’ll also see an increase in your fitness and well-being. There are so many health and fitness benefits from Pilates.

You definitely won’t regret adding it to your life!

Start Your Beginner Pilates Exercise Routine!

At Sultivate, we love being part of your fitness journey. Whether you’re just starting out, or have been going strong for years.

One of the reasons we built Sultivate was because we craved a fitness community to support us. Since we didn’t find one in the Cottonwood or Sedona area… we built one instead!

We believe one of the biggest benefits of Pilates for our beginner Pilates members – is the support and accountability you gain from working out in a fitness community.

It’s ok if you don’t know whether Pilates is for you. But you’ll never know unless you take a class!

Take one of our Pilates classes today and start your fitness journey. There’s a reformer calling your name… if you’re brave enough to try it.