How is a Pilates studio different from a gym?
What’s best for you? Pilates at a studio or exercising at a gym? We break it down for you.
Much of exercise success—consistent activity that keeps you moving and feeling your best—is finding fitness that you enjoy, but that’s also available in a model that suits your needs. If you’re interested in Pilates, you might wonder how a Pilates studio is different from a gym to determine what’s the right fit for you.
What to Expect at a Pilates Studio
Pilates is an excellent addition to everyone’s regular exercise plan because it’s such a versatile form of movement. Since Pilates can be tailored to support your personal fitness and movement goals, one of the benefits of enjoying Pilates at a Pilates studio is the personalized instruction. We offer individual sessions, duet sessions, and small group Oov classes of four participants at Taylor Pilates and Fitness. At these sessions or classes, you work with the same instructor who knows your body and goals and who is certified to teach Pilates after completing comprehensive training. At our studio, the average instructor has 10 years of teaching experience with current continuing education credits.
A Pilates studio is outfitted with Pilates equipment that can be adjusted for each individual’s fitness levels. Pilates equipment is quite versatile. The apparatus has various spring tensions that can be adjusted to provide varying resistance or support levels. The springs on the tower and footbar position on the Balanced Body Clinical reformers can be adjusted to accommodate your height, knee flexion/bend, shoulder-width, and more. This makes Pilates equipment very customizable. Since it’s not one-size-fits-all, the equipment supports your best movement and training goals.
There’s also built-in accountability to stick with your Pilates routine when you go to a Pilates studio. When you schedule your sessions or classes in advance you have reserved time on your calendar for exercise. Our cancellation policy can also keep you on track. We hold you to a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you don’t reschedule within 24 hours of your session or class, you pay for the cancellation.
Exercising at the Gym
Generally, gyms are much larger and offer a variety of exercise equipment that could include cardio equipment, a pool, and weight machines. In addition, gyms sometimes have amenities such as on-site daycare, locker rooms, and 24/7 access. Having extensive amenities may help you have greater consistency as you have built-in child care, showers, and the ability to exercise at all hours (or hours expanded beyond a studio).
Most gyms provide membership options that give you access to the gym but require an additional fee for personal training sessions, Pilates sessions and equipment-based classes, and other instruction. Most Pilates classes at gyms that are included in the membership fee are mat-based (versus small prop or equipment).
The Takeaway
Whether you are enjoying Pilates at a gym or in a studio, be sure to check that your instructor has current Pilates certification and experience. Think about where you will be most successful in being consistent with your Pilates practice (i.e. weekly) or any form of exercise. Ultimately, to move well and feel well, you need to find an exercise you enjoy doing and that’s available in a model that fits your unique needs.
To learn more about how we can help improve your whole-body movement and core strength through our personalized Pilates instruction, give us a call or text us at 303-472-6743 to schedule an introductory session.