A Pilates class has a powerful ability to transform the body, lean out muscles, and amass a totally-devoted following of die-hard studio addicts. It's Kate Hudson's favorite workout and beloved by fitness enthusiasts the world over. And why? Because it works!
But here's the thing: Pilates is not cheap. With group classes ranging from $30 to over $50 and private lessons in the hundreds, it doesn't always feel like the most financially practical move. However, there's totally a reason for the extra cost — for one, those machines! We wanted to take a look at the specific benefits of using a Reformer versus doing at-home and general group fitness classes.
We also chatted with Jenn Seracuse, director of FlexPilates, who said, "You can't cheat" on the machines. "If you aren't engaged, you'll know right away." When you're on the machine, if you're not in the right position, you're not going to be able to get into the move, so there's less room for error when it comes to form — especially because of the more personalized attention in a smaller class (we'll get to that next). This means you'll be keeping proper form consistently and preventing injury.
"Having someone there who can watch you and hands-on correct your form is invaluable," said Seracuse. "Some other types of group fitness pack people in so there is no way the instructor can get to everyone to correct form." This also means it's not the class to come to and hide out in the back, and it can be tough to book if you're not on top of your schedule. But if you're looking for something that feels like personal training without the $100+ per hour fees, Pilates is for you.
Still worried about dollars? Try some of these helpful tips on saving money on boutique fitness.