| Studying in a Pilates Facility | | | | determining how much you can afford to spend on |
| Why is studying in a professional environment under | | | | your Pilates program. "It's too expensive" can |
| an instructor's guidance so important? First, a | | | | become a reason to drop out. Ask for a full schedule |
| teacher's trained and watchful eye can ensure that | | | | of all costs-membership fees, individual sessions, |
| you develop only good habits as you learn the Pilates | | | | package deals, equipment use, parking, and so on. |
| method of body conditioning. Also, working in a | | | | - Support staff. In addition to your instructor, are |
| professional environment is a stimulating and | | | | support personnel available to help you? Can you |
| educational experience. You learn by observing other | | | | easily contact someone to change appointments or |
| people working out-seeing and hearing the teachers | | | | discuss your billing? Are the people helpful, friendly, |
| and other students in the process of learning and | | | | and willing to assist you when necessary? Many |
| practicing Pilates. Watching and listening as the | | | | facilities are too small to offer support staff, so the |
| instructor guides another student through a Pilates | | | | teacher may also handle reception, class scheduling, |
| movement will give you insights and inspirations that | | | | cleaning, and so on. Is that okay with you? |
| help improve your own technique. A correction given | | | | - Class structure. If you intend to study in group |
| to another client might be just the thing to turn on | | | | classes, find out how those classes are organized. Will |
| that proverbial light bulb for you. And this instructional | | | | you be able to work with a group of others that |
| environment isn't just helpful for beginners, either; no | | | | share your fitness/experience level? If you're just |
| matter how advanced your Pilates training and | | | | starting your Pilates training, you don't want to be |
| experience might be, you'll always find that an | | | | the lone beginner in a class of advanced students; as |
| instructor's guidance is valuable. Your Pilates workouts | | | | you advance, you don't want to be hindered by |
| will change your body; and your instructor will make | | | | newcomers. Ask about class sizes, too; you can get |
| sure your Pilates exercises continue to benefit your | | | | lost in classes of more than ten students. |
| development. | | | | - Other programs and services. Does the facility offer |
| Choosing a Pilates Place | | | | other health and fitness programs, such as physical |
| Depending upon where you live, you may have many | | | | therapy, aerobics, massage, on-site snack bar, or |
| different types of Pilates facilities to choose from. | | | | nutritional counseling? How about on-site child care? |
| Your personal preferences and lifestyle might | | | | Are these services something you're interested in? |
| determine what environment works best for you. | | | | Working in Private Pilates Sessions |
| Pilates studios are facilities that are devoted primarily | | | | Uniform development is the hallmark of the Pilates |
| to the instruction of Pilates and little else. Because | | | | method. A certified instructor's trained eye, focused |
| these businesses focus solely on Pilates, they can | | | | directly and solely on your form and technique, and |
| tailor your Pilates sessions to your special fitness or | | | | your body's individual needs, will help you progress |
| rehabilitation needs. A good studio has a number of | | | | more quickly An instructor can spot subtle, inefficient |
| teachers from which to choose and a full | | | | movement patterns that make your exercise less |
| complement of all the Pilates equipment. A fully | | | | productive, and give you very personal, specific |
| equipped and staffed studio can offer a large range | | | | instructions to address these problems |
| of appointment and class times, and many types of | | | | Finding the Right Instructor for You |
| sessions, including private, small groups, and slightly | | | | Taking lessons with a highly trained Pilates instructor |
| larger classes (but not too large!). Studios are typically | | | | is the best way to ensure successful progress in |
| set up on a pay-by-session or -class basis, not by | | | | your Pilates program. In many parts of the country, |
| membership. Health clubs and recreation centers offer | | | | you won't have much trouble locating a Pilates |
| Pilates along with many other fitness activities, such | | | | instructor.. So if you have a number of reputable |
| as yoga and aerobics. Health clubs usually require a | | | | Pilates instructors to choose from, how do you |
| membership, and for that fee, most clubs provide | | | | choose? |
| additional services, including swimming pools, racket | | | | Everyone who teaches Pilates is unique and brings his |
| courts, aerobic equipment, and saunas. Pilates classes | | | | or her own sets of strengths and weaknesses to |
| at these centers typically stress mat work, because | | | | the studio or classroom. But in general, here are |
| they rarely have equipment, and the mat-work | | | | some traits to look for in a good Pilates instructor. If |
| classes can be quite large and very mixed in level, | | | | you're observing instructors in action, you can check |
| which may not address your needs. Many clubs and | | | | through this list to see how they stack up on the |
| recreation centers consider Pilates to be an extra and | | | | traits that matter most to you. |
| charge an added fee, so ask for details | | | | A good Pilates instructor is: |
| Points to Consider | | | | - Adept in the full repertoire of all the Pilates |
| You can decide which Pilates environment best suits | | | | exercises, at all levels, and on all equipment. |
| your needs, based on convenience, pricing, location, | | | | - A long-term and ongoing practitioner and student of |
| and personal preference. Like any fitness facility or | | | | Pilates. |
| program, your perfect Pilates place will need to meet | | | | - Able to verify completion of training or certification |
| a number of requirements. | | | | in Pilates. |
| Think about these: | | | | - Taking continuing education courses to remain fresh |
| - Location. Will you be going to your Pilates session | | | | and invigorated in his/her own teaching. |
| from home, work, or both? How far is too far to | | | | - Knowledgeable about basic anatomy. |
| discourage regular attendance? Is the facility near | | | | - Able to demonstrate a strong background in Pilates |
| other important destinations? Can you combine your | | | | history and philosophy |
| Pilates with essential errands such as grocery | | | | - A good example of what Pilates can do for the |
| shopping or stopping by the dry cleaners? Don't | | | | body. |
| discount the importance of convenience. No matter | | | | - A professional who maintains professional |
| how much you want to be committed to your Pilates | | | | boundaries (in other words, avoids bringing personal |
| program, if getting to your session takes too much | | | | issues and inappropriate comments or advances into |
| time, you'll be prone to skipping-and that's no good | | | | the lesson). |
| for you or your Pilates program. | | | | - Capable of helping clients progress safely and |
| - Cost. Pilates isn't the lowest-cost fitness program | | | | effectively through the advancing levels of Pilates. |
| out there, but it's worth every penny. That said, high | | | | - Motivating, encouraging, and inspiring to clients. |
| price doesn't always mean best quality. Some of the | | | | Moreover, a good Pilates instructor should be well |
| best facilities have very reasonable prices and some | | | | versed in: safety; hands-on and modification |
| of the worst overcharge. Don't choose a facility by | | | | techniques; all transitions between exercises; and the |
| finding the one that provides the cheapest sessions | | | | major benefits and skills derived from each exercise. |
| in your area, but make sure you're realistic in | | | | |