Pilates studios today offer more choice than ever when it comes to fitting Pilates into your life your way. But how do you know which approach is best for you? Here we discuss some of the benefits and limitations of 1:1s vs group classes to help you decide what option is best for you, as well as how Open Studio can offer an alternative option that is popular with many of our clients.
1:1 Sessions - What are they and what are the benefits
In a 1:1 session, you work with your teacher on a 1:1 basis. You have your teacher’s undivided attention as they guide you through a session that is tailored to meet your needs. You have the full studio system of apparatus available to work on, which gives you the opportunity to work with apparatus and equipment you may not otherwise use in a group class, such as the Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Arm Chair and Wunda Chair.
Most of our 1:1 sessions run in the way Joseph Pilates would have worked with his students. You start your main workout on the Reformer as your teacher observes how you are moving and what you are working on in your body. Your teacher will then guide you to the apparatus they believe will help you work on the areas you need most, or prepare you for newer exercises to come. For some clients, we may start the session on the Cadillac and mat, where this is more appropriate for our client’s needs.
Benefits of 1:1 sessions:
Personalised teaching tailored for your needs
Access to the full studio system of apparatus - get to work on apparatus you may not get to otherwise use in group classes
Focus on building the skills you need most, at your pace
Suitable for all levels, from remedial / rehab work to advanced work
Can help you progress faster by focussing on helping your find the connections and skills you need to work on most
Why might 1:1s not be suitable for you?
More expensive compared to group classes
Less choice of available days and times
At our studio we set studio time aside for 1:1s, and we can run 2× 1:1s in the studio at the same time if we have 2 teachers available. However as we only have space for 1 person per 1:1 we do find our 1:1 slots can get booked up quite quickly, leaving fewer slots available to choose from.
1:1 Sessions at Be:Poised Pilates:
Our 1:1 sessions typically take place in our main apparatus studio where we have a full studio system of apparatus to choose from including the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Arm Chair, PediPul, Spine Corrector and Ladder Barrel, plus smaller equipment such as the foot corrector, toe corrector, neck stretcher, breathacizer and more. Gina, Lauren and Nadine all offer 1:1 sessions, and we try to pair you with the teacher who best meets your needs.
We have some clients who work with us purely on a 1:1 basis, as well as many clients who will combine 1:1s with regular group classes. Some clients will do a mix of 1:1s and group classes every week, and others will book more ad hoc 1:1s every so often to tune up on technique and help them progress in their classes.
To get started with 1:1s, as a new or existing client, the best thing to do is to contact us to discuss your needs and availability.
Group Classes and who they may suit
In a group class you are working in a teacher-led class with other people. All of our classes are levelled to help you work at the right pace and level for your needs and experience. Group classes have grown in popularity as they offer a more accessible way to practice Pilates.
Benefits of Group Classes:
More affordable option compared with 1:1 sessions
Can offer more flexibility with many classes to choose from
Can help you stay more regular in your practice as they offer the ability to attend the studio more times per week at a lower cost than 1:1 sessions
Great camaraderie in class - our group classes are a joy to teach. Our clients build such lovely rapports in class as they cheer each other on! Some lovely friendships have developed within our studios through shared group class experiences
We keep our group classes small enough so that you still get a good level of support and guidance from your teacher
Who might group classes not be suitable for?
Those with complex musculoskeletal conditions or other needs that require a much more individualised approach
Those who prefer working on a 1:1 basis with their teacher
Those who prefer to work with the full studio system in a single session rather than on a single apparatus.
Many of our group class clients tend to book a combination of Reformer, Mat and Tower classes to help them work across more than a single apparatus. We will sometimes bring in other equipment to our group classes, such as bringing the spine correctors into mat classes or the Wunda chair into Reformer classes when class numbers are smaller.
Group Classes at Be:Poised Pilates:
We run the following teacher-led small group classes at our studios:
Group Reformer Class
Group Tower Class
Group Mat Class
Specialist Pregnancy & Postnatal Classes (Mat + Tower)
All of our group classes have a maximum size limit of 4 per class, except for Mat which takes upto 8 people. This means you still benefit from a good level of individual observation, support and guidance from your teachers.
Our teachers are experts at tailoring the class to best meet the needs of those present.
Many of our group class clients tend to book a combination of Reformer, Mat and Tower classes to help them work across more than a single piece of apparatus. When classes are smaller, we will sometimes bring in other equipment such as the Spine correctors or Wunda chair to help develop the work further.
Open Studio - The best of both worlds?
So now, perhaps, you have got a feel for whether you would prefer 1:1s, group classes or even a combination of both. For those who like the appeal of using the full studio system, but cannot commit to regular 1:1 sessions there is another option…
Open Studio is your opportunity to work in a way similar to how you would in Joseph Pilates’ Contrology gym. These sessions are for supervised self practice. You will have your own programme, given to you by your teacher, that you work through at your own pace. With a teacher present in the studio, you will still benefit from technical feedback & guidance, as well as all those lovely hands on pushes and pulls that make the work feel even more delicious!
Open Studio Sessions with Be:Poised Pilates:
As you will be working semi-independently in an Open Studio session you should have a relatively good understanding of the work you have been given to practice. All studios that run this type of session will have their own requirements to join an Open Studio session. For us at Be:Poised Pilates, we recommend the following:
You have had at least 10× 1:1 sessions with us to develop your programme
OR, you are a regular group class client with a good understanding of the work you do in class, and you have had at least 1x programming 1:1 session with us to cover the system apparatus work we will add into your programme.
We have one teacher supervising the session. They will check in with you when you arrive to see how you are feeling and if there is any thing in particular you want to focus on today. They will hand you your personal programming sheet and may guide you to a specific apparatus to start your practice.
During the session, the supervising teacher will be observing participants; checking apparatus set up, reminding you of anything you need help with, and giving technical feedback. When you are ready, they may also suggest new exercises to add into your programme, so that you continue to progress your practice.
We have a maximum of 4 people per Open Studio session. The session lasts 55 minutes, but you are free to arrive and leave when you need within this time. It is your time, and your practice. Be led by what your body needs today.
A lot of our Open Studio attendees also attend our group Reformer, Tower and Mat classes. We do have some Open Studio attendees who will attend as their sole practice; particularly those who require a more tailored approach to their Pilates.
Whether you are seeking group classes, 1:1 sessions or a combination of both, we would love to welcome you to our studio and help you get the most from your Pilates practice.