Finding The Right Pilates Studio
One of the great things about Pilates is it can be practiced anywhere really. There are many people that prefer to practice Pilates or yoga in the comfort of their own home with a DVD or VHS instructional movie. Others may want the motivation, lack of repetition or predictability, not to mention the camaraderie that comes from visiting a Pilates studio. This raises the question as to how to go about selecting the right Pilates studio? There are many factors to consider ranging from the cost of classes, which can be expensive, to the quality of the instructors and the studio’s equipment. For obvious reasons you want the right kind of instructor guiding you and the appropriate studio equipment, not some fly by night operation. The good news is there should be plenty of options city to city in finding a respectable Pilates studio. Perhaps begin by searching the yellow pages or an online city guide or directory. A good studio will have instructors with certifications that they proudly proclaim in their literature, advertisements or the About Us section of their website. A good Pilates Studio should have quality equipment like multi-media kits, mats, Pilates Reformers, Pilates Trapeze Tables, Pilates Chairs, Pilates Arcs and Barrels. A serious Pilates Studio will typically offer several types of classes. There will be individual classes where you will receive the utmost personalized guidance and attention from the instructor. Duo and Quartet classes which are good for you and your spouse, you and your best friend, small groups from the office or family fun. Group classes, which are often just a random collection of unrelated people interested in Pilates. The group classes are sometimes the best choice for novice or intermediate students. Just be careful that don’t sign up for too large of a group because this will limit the instructor’s ability to monitor your individual form and progress. A good group class size is usually no larger than fifteen students per teacher. There will also likely be several different class designations like beginner, intermediate and advanced, allowing you an opportunity to move on to different classes once you advance. It’s not uncommon for a Pilates studio to offer one complimentary introductory class where the instructors can get a feel for your conditioning, long-term goals from a Pilates routine The bottom line is Pilates is a fun, safe and effective form of exercise that is friendly to all age groups regardless of physical conditioning. Many of the practices can be self-taught through video and home sessions but it never hurts to visit a Pilates Studio |
