r/pilates

It never ceases to amaze me how I see redditors absolutely revolted by the idea of practicing Pilates barefoot. Heck, even the toeless socks make people sick! I have seen very strong language (and several vomit emojis) used against practicing barefoot. The arguments seem to be that grip socks are the cleanest and safest way to practice Pilates.

And yet...my local independent studio I've been going to for years has never required socks. Maybe a third of people choose to wear them, but it's not required. And it got me to wondering, so I did a search of all the boutique studios close to me and found about 7 studios and not one of them requires socks. Their promotional photos are full of "icky, nasty, unsafe" bare feet.

I don't deny that there's the potential for a hygiene issue. But in the same way touching door handles is a risk. If you go to a clean, professional studio, the risk seems so inconsequential compared to the benefit of practicing barefoot. In working on our balance and proprioception, it seems odd to cover up the sensitive surface of our feet and diminish sensation and natural grip. Knock on wood, I've never seen anyone in my classes fall or injure themselves.

I have a hard time seeing grip socks as much more than a cash cow for chain studios. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-grip sock. I just think it's a personal preference and really, really wish redditors would tone down the rhetoric that human feet are inherently filthy and anyone practicing barefoot is disgusting. I mean, after all, what guarantee is there that someone else's socks are perfectly clean anyway?

I started holding my own classes due to requests from peopel at the studio. At the time (january 25) I was newly certified and didn't know my worth, so I did not set high prices.

Now a lot of new studios are opening up and prices for their group sessions are more expensive or close to the price I have for semi-privates. I now also have few more cetificates behind, I regulary take mentor classes and have full schedule from referals.

I will expand to a little bit bigger studio soon, when I find the right space, I need to increase the pricing, maybe € by € monthly, but I cannot work on sale anymore.

How do I tell this to people? Please be nice and understanding.

I did YouTube Pilates for a couple of years. I’ve done studio classes. I still teach studio classes, but really most of the benefit of Pilates comes from a personal session strictly because the movement can be tailored to what your body needs, but Personal sessions are expensive hard to schedule. You might not have a studio near you. I lived in rural America and didn’t have a studio near me. I had restricted income, couldn’t afford it, but I noticed that if I took certain bits and pieces of videos, I would find one that I needed.

But it’s not realistic to look through hundreds of thousands of videos on YouTube looking for what I need to do every day. We each have unique bodies, we each have unique schedules. But we all still deserve to feel good in our bodies and get out of our minds and into our bodies.

I have a background in electric Engineering and was working full time when I got the idea to make an app that made made to order Pilates. Pilates routines that you could do at home or anywhere on your schedule built for your body. I’ve spent the last eight months working on it, and it went live on the Apple App Store last week. If this is interesting to you, please go check it out and honestly let me know what you think. I think this could help a lot of people whether you’re traveling or want access to a personalized fitness routine.

Embody by Alexandra Pilates

I’m a new teacher and just had the worst experience. Client actually said at the end of class she was glad I was only subbing. It was a fine class - I forgot if we did L or R and that was the only hiccup. Heard her complaining to front desk after. I’ve had a shit day and this was truly the cherry on top. I’m still new but I’ve taught friends and family and have been taking classes for a long time. I am confident this was a fine class, certainly not a reportable one.

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Thanks everyone for the support! Will be looking forward to teaching again. I have a couple of regulars that have been really sweet, excited to keep teaching them and growing! 💕

Hello, subreddit members! If you haven't noticed or forgot, we have a newbie (as in, to the subreddit, not just new to Pilates, but often also new to Pilates) pinned post now in order to reduce top-level posts that ask the same old question over and over again. We mods go in and answer newbie questions when we can, but your knowledge and expertise is requested as well! If you've been looking to share your knowledge, frustrations, or needs, please check out the 2026 NEWBIE/BEGINNER THREAD and comment!

What would you do as a pilates teacher if a client gave you a class they want to do that they made via chat gpt?

I’m a private clients only teacher and s client gave me a chat gpt made class. I’m not sure if I should be offended or impressed by their brazenness/proactive participation on their fitness journey.

I'd like to open my own studio, I've been teaching full time for 2 years, prior that I was in pilates for about 5 years after getting injured in gymnastics in teens. I've done multiple workshops, mostly abroad, I am stott certified, I will full certify next year. I currently run by referal only small studio with regular clients.

I stress so much the bigger studio will not run, I've done multiple financial calculations. I stress with pricing, with rent, with attracting new clients and social media. I know social media now is a priority but I hate myself on camera. I don't have a partner or supportive family who would push me forward or cheer for me.

Do you have any advices? How do I get myself into mindset of someone who did one reformer training, has zero experience and has a confidence to open a studio?

I started pilates about a year ago when a studio opened across the street from me. I got one of their unlimited pass and all have been good until recent months. Since April, my bookings have been cancelled and moved to a different time 7 times. All of which I was notified the morning of and already had my day planned. Recently, they changed my class and I was charged a no show fee even though I didn't sign up for that class. I paid for 6 months and my renewal is coming up soon and I'm honestly considering just cancelling.

I haven’t seen many people talk about the precision rotator discs from BB! Are they useful? The ones that attach to the jumpboard are intriguing!

Have any of you tried her workouts? They look challenging, but her app is quite expensive and doesn't have a trial. Also, I tried to see if she's certified and I can't find anything, but maybe I'm just missing it.

Looking for some insight from anyone who has bridged into the Balanced Body program!
I am currently in a comprehensive Pilates certification program and have already completed Reformer, Mat, and Special Populations. I’m exploring the possibility of bridging the remainder of my training through Balanced Body and completing the other apparatus courses there.
For those who have gone through Balanced Body or bridged from another program:
• What was your experience like?
• How did the bridge process work?
• Did you feel well-supported throughout the program?
• Was it worth making the switch?
I’d love to hear the pros, cons, and anything you wish you had known beforehand.
Also, if anyone has Balanced Body manuals that they’re no longer using and would be willing to sell or part with, please send me a message! I’d rather check with the Pilates community before purchasing everything brand new.
Thank you in advance for any advice or experiences you’re willing to share! ❤️

What insurance are y’all using these days?