If you’re interested in trying Pilates for the first time, looking into the different types of Pilates and working out what will suit you can be a little confusing.
This month’s blog is all about helping you to understand the different types of Pilates so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
As always if you want to talk about your aims in taking up Pilates then please do get in contact, I’d love to chat to you about what’s best for you!
There are many different types of Pilates, but I’ve summarised them into the main five for this blog – Classical, Mat, Contemporary, Reformer and Clinical.
Classical Pilates
Pilates was developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, and classical Pilates is the form which stays closest to his original teachings and exercises.
This involves following exercises in a certain order and using particular transitions between movements.
It’s a systematic and time-tested type of Pilates, which emphasises precision and control.
It usually involves a combination of mat and apparatus work and is designed to guide the body and mind through a complete range of movement.
Classical Pilates is a great choice for those wanting a structured, disciplined routine, or traditionalists who want to stay true to the original principles of Pilates.
Mat Pilates
Mat Pilates is a very accessible form of Pilates, which is perfect for beginners as it’s great for learning foundational Pilates movements and doesn’t require much equipment so can be done almost anywhere.
As you’d expect from the name, this form of Pilates is done on a mat utilising your body weight, and sometimes utilises props like rings, balls or bands.
Mat Pilates is great for beginners as it often focuses on learning the fundamental Pilates movements and principles
However, it’s also good for those who have been doing Pilates for longer, as each exercise can be adapted to increase intensity, using your body weight for resistance.
Mat Pilates is perfect for anyone who wants to build reduce their aches and pains, improve their posture and increase their core strength and flexibility. It also has huge benefits, from building muscle strength to relaxation and reducing stress levels.
Contemporary Pilates
Next on my summary of the different types of Pilates is contemporary.
Contemporary Pilates brings together the principles of classical Pilates with more modern knowledge of the body and biomechanics, alongside contemporary exercise forms such as physiotherapy.
This is a preferred form of Pilates for those looking for a more varied, innovative approach, or people who want to mix classical Pilates with more modern movement trends.
It’s often led by those taking part in the class, dependent on their aims for the session, allowing for an approach which can be tailored to you.
Contemporary Pilates is a creative, varied form of the traditional practice, which is flexible to meet your goals, whether that’s improved posture, reduced pain or better athletic performance.
Reformer Pilates
Reformer is a type of Pilates that has gained popularity in recent years, with dedicated studios opening and people seeing the benefits of this dynamic approach for themselves.
It uses a piece of equipment called a reformer, which is a sliding carriage with springs and pulleys, to add resistance and support to either increase the challenge or assist with exercises.
This can make it more intense and dynamic than other forms, so is great for those wanting to build strength with controlled resistance.
It’s also great for people working through injury rehabilitation, as those doing it can allow the reformer machine to bear some of the weight instead of their body, and it can be easier on the joints than mat work.
It’s also very effective for muscle tone and posture, and as exercises can be tailored to your needs, it’ll help you to achieve your goals whether you’re a beginner to Pilates or more experienced.
Clinical Pilates
Clinical Pilates is led by physiotherapists or instructors with rehab experience and focuses on injury prevention or recovery.
Participants usually have an assessment with their instructor so that the session can be tailored to their needs and medical history, to help them achieve rehabilitation and their goals.
This means that Clinical Pilates is great for those with chronic pain, injuries or physical limitations, as well as people recovering from surgical procedures as it incorporates physical therapy principles into Pilates methodology.
It can also be very helpful for pregnant or post-partum women – but as with all our participants, we recommend that you talk to your GP or physiotherapist if any concerns before starting a new Pilates class to make sure that it follows medical guidance for you.
Clinical Pilates is a great way to get personalised and safe guidance to help build strength, aid rehabilitation and prevent injuries occurring in the future too.
Which of the different types of Pilates is right for you?
Now that you know the main five types of Pilates, you might be wondering which one to go for.
I hope you’ve seen that there are benefits to each type, and a simple answer might be that you could try a few and see which ones work best for your lifestyle and what you’re hoping to achieve.
A great starting point is to find an instructor who can tailor whichever type of Pilates you choose to your needs; a good instructor will be able to incorporate various principles into a number of different types of Pilates.
If you want to get more specific, here are some helpful questions to ask to work out which type of Pilates is right for you:
Do you have injuries or chronic pain?
If this is you, we’d suggest looking into Clinical or Mat Pilates and ensure your instructor has rehab experience.
Do you want a full-body workout with equipment?
If so you could choose to have a go at Reformer Pilates, which utilises equipment to build strength or attend Mat Pilates that use small equipment such as bands, balls, rings etc.
We run a dedicated Pilates With Props Class on Thursday mornings, where we use a different piece of equipment each week including bands, balls and rings as mentioned above and other things such as Hogs, Rollers, Core Sliders.
Are you drawn to structure and tradition?
Classical Pilates has all the benefits for your body and mind, while sticking closely to the original principles of Pilates. However some of these exercises can be quite challenging and not as easy to participate in if you have postural issues or injuries.
Do you enjoy variety and modern fitness trends?
If so, Contemporary Pilates could bring together your interests to be a form of exercise which is enjoyable whilst achieving your fitness goals.
Are you new to Pilates?
Why not start with Mat Pilates, as it’s so accessible?
New Healthy Body classes for all abilities
Whilst Mat Pilates is a particularly well-suited form of exercise for those trying Pilates for the first time, I’m proud to say that all our classes at New Healthy Body cater for mixed abilities, so whether you’re a complete beginner or you already know the ropes, there’s something for you at every class.
We offer different options throughout our classes so that each exercise can be adapted around ability, injuries and medical conditions.
As we get to know you, we’ll teach you personalised exercises and corrections so that you can grow in strength, skill and flexibility.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how our Pilates classes can help you achieve your goals, we’d love to hear from you!
You can get in contact with us and ask for our advice, or book on to our introductory 21 Day Pilates Programme where you can try our classes for yourself and start to feel the benefits in only 21 days.
Looking into the different types of Pilates might seem overwhelming at first but whichever one your go for, you’re sure to grow in strength, flexibility and confidence.