Tip of the Month

What should I look for in a Pilates studio?

First, make sure it IS truly a Pilates studio. A Pilates studio has ALL of the Pilates apparatus as originally designed by Joseph H. Pilates, and Pilates mat classes with specific levels of instruction.

Make an appointment to meet with the owner or manager. Check out the studio, the instructors, and their credentials. Ask how long they have been teaching, what are their related backgrounds, what is their philosophy. What are their recommendations for new students? 

Apparatus instructors should have completed a comprehensive certification program with a minimum of 400 hours training hours recognized by the Pilates Method Alliance and should be trained on ALL of the Pilates apparatus. Mat-only instructors should have completed all of the appropriate levels of their certification program. All Pilates instructors should have a CURRENT certification, keep up with their required continuing education, and carry appropriate liability insurance and CPR. 

Beware of “teachers” on the Pilates bandwagon. Pilates is NOT: just a mat class, only reformer, or “Aerobic, Fat Burning, or Fusion”. You are also not qualified to teach Pilates just because are a dancer, or a fitness instructor. The equipment should be manufactured by one of the companies authorized to build to Joseph H. Pilates original specifications. 

“Pilates is a full-body system of specific sequenced exercises performed on the mat and on specifically designed equipment. The method is centered around the concepts of awareness, balance, breath, centering, concentration, control, flowing movement, and precision. The principle of Pilates is to uniformly develop the body and mind. The Pilates method is best taught by a comprehensively trained instructor. Pilates was originally designed to be taught one-on-one.”  Pilates Method Alliance  

Melanie Johnson - PowerFlow Pilates Studio

How do I get started?
Please contact the studio before you “drop in”. Talk to the owner or manager about your questions, specific needs or physical limitations. You should be directed to either a private session or their ‘beginner or intro” level mat class. (Please be aware that if you have any limitations, mat class may not be suggested for you.)

Upon arriving, you should be asked to fill out a health/liability form and asked again about any issues the instructor should be concerned about. The class should move slowly, and should be based on the Pilates method fundamentals and principles. If taking a mat class, the instructor will move around the class offering appropriate instruction and explanations, proper alignment cues, modifications and corrections. Your instructor will be happy to answer any of your questions after class. Please remember – everyone new to Pilates is a beginner, even if you have extensive fitness or athletic experience.  

What should I wear?
Students should wear comfortable clothes in which you can easily move. Loose shorts are NOT acceptable. Please wear bike shorts under them. No shoes are worn during Pilates, but clean socks are required on the Pilates apparatus. 

How soon will I see or feel results?
Results are felt immediately! As with any form of exercise, results will appear more quickly the more you work out. We recommend practicing Pilates 2-3x per week. You should then feel stronger in a few weeks, and see results in 6-8 weeks. Since Pilates combines strength with flexibility, adding a cardiovascular work out will complete your fitness and wellness program.  

PowerFlowStudio offers certifications in the Classic Pilates Method with programs that follow guidelines set by The Pilates Method Alliance. We offer Pilates certifications and teacher trainings in mat, advanced mat, and the full apparatus certification.  

PowerFlow Studio and owner, Melanie Johnson are proud members of the Pilates Method Alliance ( PMA), an international, not-for-profit professional organization that aims to protect the public by establishing certification and continuing education standards for Pilates professionals.