Starting a Pilates class for the first time can feel a little intimidating. You might wonder whether you’ll be strong enough, flexible enough, or able to keep up with everyone else.
The good news? Pilates is for everybody and every body.
You don’t need to be super flexible or already have a strong core to get started. You simply need to turn up, listen to your body, and be willing to learn.
At Move Wilder, we want your first Pilates class to feel welcoming, supportive, and enjoyable. Here are some simple tips to help you get the most from your first session.
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Pilates Is More Challenging Than It Looks
Pilates might appear gentle when you watch someone performing the exercises, but don’t be fooled!
A Pilates session can be a challenging full-body workout. Your muscles work together to create movement while also maintaining stability, alignment, and control.
This is one of the reasons Pilates can feel surprisingly difficult when you’re new to it.
Rather than rushing through lots of repetitions, Pilates focuses on quality of movement.
You may find yourself concentrating on your breathing, posture, alignment, and muscle activation all at the same time.
And that’s where the challenge lies.
You Don’t Have to Get Everything Right
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is worrying about getting every exercise perfect.
You won’t.
And that’s completely normal.
Pilates involves learning new movement patterns and developing awareness of how your body moves. It takes time to coordinate the exercises with your breathing and technique.
Give yourself permission to learn.
Your instructor is there to guide you, explain the exercises, and offer modifications when you need them.
Start at Your Own Level
You don’t need to perform the most advanced version of an exercise simply because someone else in the class is doing it.
A good Pilates class should offer progressions and regressions so that exercises can be adapted to different abilities.
If an exercise feels too difficult, ask for an easier option.
If you’ve been practising for a while and need more of a challenge, your instructor can help you progress.
The goal isn’t to compete with the person next to you.
It’s to work at the right level for your body.
Focus on Your Breathing
Breathing is an important part of Pilates.
Your instructor may give you specific breathing cues throughout the class. At first, coordinating your breathing with the movement can feel strange.
Don’t worry if it doesn’t feel natural immediately.
With practice, you’ll become more comfortable using your breath to support movement and control.
Try not to hold your breath when an exercise becomes challenging. Instead, keep breathing and allow your instructor to guide you.
Slow Down
Pilates isn’t about how quickly you can complete an exercise.
Controlled movement is one of the foundations of the Pilates method.
Slowing down gives you time to:
- Feel which muscles are working
- Maintain better alignment
- Control the movement
- Coordinate your breathing
- Notice how your body responds
You may discover that a slow, controlled exercise is much harder than it looks!
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
If you’re unsure about an exercise, ask.
Your instructor would much rather help you understand a movement than have you struggle silently or perform something that doesn’t feel right.
You can also let your instructor know about any injuries, medical conditions, or other concerns before class.
This allows exercises to be adapted where appropriate and helps make your session more comfortable and effective.
Listen to Your Body
Pilates should challenge you, but there’s a difference between feeling your muscles work and experiencing pain.
Pay attention to how you feel during each exercise.
If something doesn’t feel right, stop and tell your instructor.
You don’t need to push through pain to get the benefits of Pilates.
Don’t Worry About Feeling Wobbly!
Your first few classes might involve some shaking, wobbling, or muscles you didn’t know existed!
That’s part of learning.
Pilates challenges your body to stabilise and control movement in ways you may not be used to. As you practise, you’ll develop greater strength, coordination, balance, and body awareness.
What feels difficult now may become much easier with consistency.
Pilates Is a Whole-Body Workout
One of the things I love about Pilates is how many different elements come together during a session.
You’re not simply strengthening one muscle group.
You’re developing:
- Core strength
- Mobility
- Stability
- Balance
- Coordination
- Postural awareness
- Body control
- Breathing awareness
Your whole body works together to create efficient movement.
That’s why Pilates can be such a valuable addition to other activities, from running and cycling to everyday movement.
Enjoy the Process
You don’t need to be perfect at Pilates.
You don’t need to be incredibly strong.
And you don’t need to be flexible enough to touch your toes.
Come to class with an open mind, listen to your instructor, and give yourself time to learn.
The more regularly you practise, the more familiar the movements will become—and the more you’ll start to notice changes in your strength, mobility, balance, and confidence.
Ready to Try Your First Pilates Class?
If you’re looking for a welcoming Pilates class where you can learn at your own pace, we’d love to see you at Move Wilder.
Classes are available online and in person, making it easier to find a way of practising Pilates that fits into your life.
To find out more or book your first class, contact Hannah:
We look forward to seeing you on the mat very soon!
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